Wheatsheaf’s Employment Access Centre in Bernard Street, Southampton has had a make-over.

Designed by Information, Advice and Guidance Coordinator Tracy Barrett, the centre now has 15 work stations, each with its own computer.

Tracy: “The new layout makes the centre much more spacious. It makes it much easier to work with clients as before we often had to stretch across them. We also have a quiet corner where clients can discuss personal or delicate issues in confidence.

“The clients love it. They’ve said it’s well laid out and very professional looking.”

The changes were needed to accommodate the growing number of clients using the centre.

Jonathan Cheshire, Wheatsheaf’s Chief Executive, says, “The centre has been redesigned so we are fully prepared for the Jobcentre Plus (JCP) Support programme which starts this month. The work was done by the first trainees taking part in our Future Jobs project. They have worked really hard and done a very good job.”

The Jobcentre Plus Support contract provides training and support in job-search for the longer-term unemployed, lone parents and newly redundant clients. The Future Jobs Fund is a Department of Works and Pension programme, providing supported employment to 18-24 year-olds for a six month period.

Both of these programmes have enabled Wheatsheaf to respond to the unprecedented conditions in the labour market during the current economic recession.

Coupled with the new-look for the centre, opening hours have also been extended. The centre is now open 9.30-12.30 and 1.00-4.00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (closed 12.30-1.00)

For more information about either the JCP Support programme or the Future Jobs Fund contact Jackie Powers, Deputy Chief Executive, on 023 8023 7662.

For more information about the Employment Access Centre and the facilities available, contact Tracy Barrett on 023 8022 3345.

The photo shows Wheatsheaf’s trainees from the Future Jobs Fund programme who carried out the EAC make-over.

Wheatsheaf’s Employer Engagement Coordinator, Lizzie  Chainey, was invited to speak at the LEADER (Local Employers Acting on Diversity, Equality and Race) Conference at St Mary’s Stadium last month.

With the theme Corporate Social Responsibility over eighty employers from across Hampshire attended the conference.

The main point of Lizzie’s presentation was that she would be unable to do her job effectively without the support of employers and she invited to speak with her two who have been involved with Wheatsheaf’s work - Sue Booker, People Manager at Southampton’s ASDA , and Richard Binns, Retail Manager of the PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals).

Lizzie’s presentation covered the support Wheatsheaf is able to give clients to enable them to progress to participating in work experience, and stressing the importance of Wheatsheaf’s continued support through these placements.  

She gave the stories of two clients, one over 40 and who had never worked, and the second who had mental health problems and English as a second language. Neither would have found a job through a normal interview process. Both would still be on Benefits and probably have regressed, with the client with mental health issues continuing under the care of the community mental health nurse.

But for both clients the outcome has been far more positive. Having started on half a day experiencing work in a charity shop, they are now both employed full-time by ASDA - and one is an awarded employee!

Lizzie says, “The presentation was very well received and was an opportunity to make a lot of new contacts. It also enabled employers to see that there is an untapped labour market from which they can recruit, train and employ people in a safe, controlled way that offers them and the potential employee support during the whole process, as well as the satisfaction of helping to turn people’s lives around.”

LEADER is an umbrella group of employers from the Southampton area working together to help build a diverse workforce, and focusing on community and social responsibility.

Wheatsheaf Trust provided a home for Business in the Community’s (BITC) Southampton session of their Solent Skills and Employability event last week, on Wednesday 25 November.

Representatives from Ordnance Survey, Clares Office Supplies Ltd, Bond Pearce, LLP, Grant Thornton UK LLP, Serco Group plc, HMS Sultan and HBOS Foundation attended the day organised by BITC and hosted by VT Group Plc.

Jackie Powers, Deputy Chief Executive, gave a presentation on the services Wheatsheaf provides to help businesses and organisations with their recruitment, and which includes access to free vacancy advertising and pre-assessed candidates.

She also spoke of how business can help Wheatsheaf through arranging work placements for clients. This is an excellent way for local businesses and organisations to become more involved with the community and the practical experience will be of lasting benefit to clients.

Stephen Clare, Managing Director Clares Office Supplies Limited, said, ‘It’s been interesting to hear how we as individuals could help with very little effort.’

Stephen Pierce, Partner and Head of Corporate Team, Bond Pearce LLP commented, ‘We have been listening to very innovative ways of getting the long-term unemployed people back to work.’

JobcentrePlus joined the session at Wheatsheaf House to outline their services.

Jackie Powers, said, ‘This event has been really useful - we have been able to showcase our work to a wider audience of businesses and also to show our support for the Backing Young Britain Campaign.’

If you think you might be able to provide work placements - or for more information about the work of Wheatsheaf Trust generally - speak to Jackie Powers or Wheatsheaf’s Chief Executive ,Jonathan Cheshire.