Employment

Carl Hawkes, from Stockton was first referred to Five Lamps by Avanta to participate in the mandatory Work Programme

The Work Programme provides tailored support to help people undertake active and effective job-seeking. Participants receive support for up to 2 years to overcome barriers that prevent them from finding and staying in work.

Karen O’Hara, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker worked with Carl to understand his career goals. Carl expressed an interest in working as a Labourer in the construction industry but has faced many barriers trying to return to work, which he has tried to overcome.

Carl had attended several training courses in the past but has always dropped out due to lack of confidence, lack of concentration and having the inability to retain information. Returning to any training was extremely hard for him as he could not face doing any further training as he thought he was setting himself up to fail.

By providing intensive support, information, advice and guidance Karen and Carl built up a relationship where Karen was able to persuade Carl to undertake a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), which would give him the required card necessary to work on a construction site. Having the CSCS card would greatly improve Carl’s changes of finding employment in the construction industry.

Carl’s lack of confidence and motivation got the better of him and he failed to attend a couple of CSCS courses that he was booked onto. Karen continued to support and encourage Carl, who in his own words said “he needed to give his head a shake” and started to really concentrate on passing the test.

As Five Lamps also run the CSCS scheme, Karen identified to the staff that Carl would need additional support and encouragement. With a lot of support and patience from the CSCS trainers Dave and Adnan, Carl finally passed the course.

Carl said

“I feel my employment chances have been increased. It’s thanks to the staff from Five Lamps who gave me additional support and confidence to complete the course. I am now looking at other courses that will help me move quickly into work. My confidence has grown”

Joanne Lewis has a young son who has Downs Syndrome and requires additional support and medical attention, which will continue throughout his life. Joanne was her son’s full time carer, whilst her husband Michael continued to work to support the family.

In 2010 Michael was made redundant and the family were facing hardship and the terrifying possibility of their home being repossessed.

Whilst caring for her family, Joanne developed additional skills and realised her strengths lay within the medical profession. To gain formal qualifications, she has completed a Level 2 in Health & Social Care and completed her Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 3 at College in July 2012. To progress further and ultimately secure a permanent position, Joanne registered with St Johns Ambulance and North East Ambulance Service, where she is a dedicated volunteer.

Joanne’s goal was to complete a HGV course and secure a license in order to secure employment as a Paramedic or Technician.

Jane Simpson, Family Coach at Five Lamps met Joanne at a family event at Five Lamps Youthy in Thornaby, where Joanne attends with her young children. Jane introduced herself and explained the services Five Lamps could provide to people who are looking to find work through The FamilyWise project.

Jane provided intensive support to Joanne over a number of months and managed to secure a grant from the Ropner Trust to fund the cost of the HGV course and further training that Joanne required in order to achieve her goal.

Joanne has shown determination and discipline whilst completing her training and voluntary posts; facing the challenges at home with support from her husband Michael. With optimism and positivity, Joanne studied hard to meet the demands of the HGV theory course and a literacy and numeracy programme.

Joanne prepared well for the HGV theory test which meant that she passed the exam and is close to achieving her career goal.

Joanne said

“I felt I had asked the impossible from Jane. Not only did she help me achieve my goal but exceed this and more”

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract

Glenn Fullerton first joined Five Lamps Recovery Group for a trip to Carlton Bank on Sunday 13 November 2011.

He was feeling decidedly the worse for wear after a heavy night helping a friend to celebrate his 40th Birthday.

Former heroin addict Glenn had more recently transferred his addictive behaviour to alcohol, benzodiazepines and Cannabis. He had known Jodie Hind in his previous existence and was curious to find out exactly what had happened to Jodie to bring about such a rapid change in his life.

Glenn was understandably nervous about joining Stockton Recovery Group, but relaxed quickly when he realised he was among like- minded individuals, people who talked about drink and drugs on his level and with a simple programme to help him get off the roller coaster of addiction. The day had a massive impact on Glenn; he stopped drinking and using cannabis and has maintained his abstinence to date (seven months down the line). In February 2012, with the help of Five Lamps Recovery Group and NA, Glenn stopped taking his prescribed Benzodiazepines under his GP’s supervision and stopped buying and using illicit street versions of the drug.

Glenn now volunteers for Five Lamps through the Recovery Programme as a Support Worker and has signed up to Five Lamps FamilyWise provision to support his career progression. As part of this programme he recently started a Health and Social Care course and is due to start Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and Counselling training.

Glen said

“Just talking to other addicts on that first trip to Carlton Bank who were clean and sober gave me a simple, new guide to living. Climbing the Bank which is 1,339 feet high was a bit of a killer, but was totally worth it. A bit like recovery, hard to attain at first, but worth it in the long run!”

Stockton Recovery Group is supported by Five Lamps and Stockton’s Drug, Alcohol, Adult Commissioning Group and supports people and their families with round the clock support through daily drop-ins, a helpline, a social network site and therapeutic walks and activities.

Natasha Norton, 32 from Stockton had worked hard at school, progressed to college and was accepted for University, where she achieved a degree in Media Production.

There was however always something missing. She felt unfulfilled, discontented and suffered from anxiety and depression .She had no idea where to turn. This had an impact on her career and her life. Natasha experienced a breakdown and had to resign from her position as a Learning Officer.

Natasha had to sit down and re-evaluate her life. She had heard of Five Lamps and the support they provide within the community through Financial Inclusion and Business Enterprise and was referred by the Shaw Trust to receive Intensive Support from Jane Simpson, Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker.

Jane helped Natasha to focus on her career options and choices, identify training and learning options open to her and provided job search support. Jane encouraged Natasha to discuss her hopes and aspirations.

Natasha had a love for driving and had considered a career in logistics. Natasha with support began to seriously consider LGV driving as a career.

Jane helped Natasha to investigate local Hauliers and Distribution companies and was enrolled on an LGV Class C course and test with Five Lamps support. This is a male orientated career, and Natasha realised that it would be an innovative employer who welcomed a woman.

Jane secured funding from Five Lamps as well as bringing in partners Shaw Trust and Choices LGBT to contribute to the considerable amount required for this kind of training. We had secured funding for the Class C, and on receipt of an offer of employment from a local company and a contribution from Natasha herself, we were able to pay for Natasha’s Class C&E as well. Her dream job was getting closer.

Natasha’s confidence improved and she felt she had a purpose and a future. Natasha studied hard and successfully completed her LGV theory. Natasha successfully passed both her Class C and Class C&E tests, which is no mean feat as any experienced haulier will tell you.

Natasha secured full time employment with Fresh Step Drive, gained experience and progressed to sustainable employment with PD Logistics at Tees Port. She is a competent driver, part of a very industrious team and happy at her work and with her life.

Natasha always knew that the road to success is through hard work, commitment and never giving up on your dream. She says of Five Lamps

“You have made my dream a reality. I couldn’t have done it without Jane and Five Lamps!”

Mandy Swainson from Stockton was first referred to Five Lamps via the Work Programme at the end of 2011

Mandy worked for one hour a day, Monday to Friday as a Lunchtime Assistant at her local Primary School; however her goal was full time work.

During her initial insight meeting with Vikki Brudenell, Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker, she said that prior to having her children she had worked as a Travel Clerk/ Typist and would like to investigate the option of going into similar work as an Administrator.

Five Lamps immediately offered her a voluntary placement at their Dovecot Street office as a Receptionist/Administrator. Mandy undertook an induction and training process and was given the opportunity to start an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration.

Vikki continued to work with Mandy and helped to revamp her job search techniques and highlighted her transferable skills to enable us to market her better to employers. Through Five Lamps’ extensive network of local voluntary and community sector partners, we heard of a temporary position available as an Admin/Finance Assistant at the local Credit Union, for 20 hours per week.

Vikki completed a better off calculation to ensure 20 hours would be suitable for Mandy and she applied for the job and was offered a one week work trial. She successfully completed this and was then offered the job.

Mandy has now started work with Tees Credit Union and is thoroughly enjoying the job. She is also continuing to volunteer with Five Lamps while she completes her NVQ portfolio.

Five Lamps is subcontracted through Avanta to deliver the Governments Work Programme and have helped Mandy where other programmes have failed, not because she was mandated to attend but because it has brought together the best that the voluntary and community and the private and public sectors have to offer, under one programme of work.

Mandy said

“Lots of positive changes have happened in my life since being referred to Five Lamps. I am really thankful for the help and support I have received with various aspects of my life, not just in my search for work and believe I would not have been so successful, so soon, in gaining employment if it had not been for Five Lamps’ help”

Chris Vincent had spent a number of years working at Working Links to support people into employment.

In August 2011 when the Government’s Flexible New Deal contract came to an end, Chris made redundant.

Chris signed on at his local Job Centre, which seemed unreal as for a long time it had been his job to place people into employment. Chris was feeling demoralised and extremely worried as to what the future would hold for him and his family. He was coming up to 61 years of age and thought his chances of finding employment were considerably reduced.

Chris was desperately unhappy being in this position and very quickly found that he was becoming isolated and losing contact with previous work colleagues. He contacted Five Lamps to see if he could put his skills and many years of experience to good use as a volunteer. Chris was aware of the excellent work the organisation carried out having referred customers many times for advice and guidance from their specialist teams.

Chris was invited to a meeting with Mark Thompson Five Lamps’ Employability Manager and after a series of informal discussions Chris was invited to assist Jane Simpson, Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker with her weekly ‘work club’ based in Thornaby. Chris jumped at this opportunity; it was a way to help people back into work and continue to network. He was also signed up to Five Lamps’ Communities Fund project, where he was provided with support in finding paid employment.

Chris really enjoyed his time volunteering and really never looked back, his confidence grew; he was helping people and feeling part of a valuable team.

However, he found searching for full time work difficult and faced several rejections over the next few months. Mark informed Chris of a job vacancy as a Family Support Worker for The Wise Group. After several months of worry and uncertainly he secured an interview and on Christmas Eve, his birthday, he was told he had been successful. He started work on the 6th January 2012.

Five Lamps have played a very important part in helping Chris back into work. Mark said

“Chris’ story shows how important volunteering can be especially if you are unemployed, at a loss as to how to improve your job prospects and update your skills. It gives other mature unemployed people hope that even at the age of 61 you can still secure employment. Without Five Lamp`s excellent advice and guidance Chris may still be facing financial uncertainty and moving towards being another sad statistic of the long term unemployed. Today Chris’ future is bright”

Chris said

“Without the support of Five Lamp and in particular Mark Thompson, Jane Simpson and Karen O’Hara, I would still be stuck in the doldrums that unemployment can create. I was given the opportunity to keep my skills and my contacts, as well as my mind, active and current. That is without doubt the main factor in my being successful in my job search”

Stockton Recovery Group has helped to transform the lives of people with drug and alcohol dependency issues, by helping them to triumph over their barriers and issues within the local community.

The Group is supported by Five Lamps and Stockton’s Drug, Alcohol, Adult Commissioning Group and supports people and their families with round the clock support through daily drop-ins, a helpline, a social network site and therapeutic walks and activities.

The Recovery Group has a peer structure, where ex-addicts and offenders help those going through similar problems and issues, by utilising the Groups experiences, examples and deep knowledge and understanding. There is real strength and hope in having someone to talk to who has faced and overcome similar issues.

Since being set up by Jodie Hind, Five Lamps’ Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Worker, the group has helped customers to champion a warmly welcomed recovery community within the Tees Valley as well as a number of local prisons.

One of the group members said

“As members of the Stockton Recovery Group we feel the problems we face in our recoveries and community can be shared openly and honestly with those going through similar issues and problems. In doing this we find the answers and solutions to our individual problems and most of all belief in ourselves that we can do it and continue to do so thanks to Five Lamps”

Jodie says:

“It’s amazing when I see members of the Group stand up and take ownership of their issues and life’s problems and then make all necessary life changing choices to overcome their short falls. It’s the Groups combined strength, experience and support that helps give them the hope they need to believe in themselves. I firmly believe this is a powerful tool within recovery and reform in our community and is bucking a regional and national trend that recovery is possible”

Michelle Brook, 36 from Thornaby had always dreamt of working within the Police force since she was a young girl.

However, events in her life put her dream on hold. Both her parents passed away affecting her deeply and having the responsibility of bringing her child up as a lone parent, Michelle started to believe that her dream would be just that…a dream.

Michelle first came to Five Lamps through ‘Communities Fund’ in April 2010. Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed.

Andrea Bute, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker, worked closely with Michelle to determine what she required and set short, medium and long term goals. It was established from her assessment that Michelle’s progression would take time and realistic goals and targets were agreed upon to help Michelle move that one step closer to achieving her life-long dream.

In August 2010 Michelle successfully completed an ICT course through Five Lamps and gained an accredited OCR Level 1 certificate developing valuable computer skills that are nationally recognised. This was Michelle’s first step to achieving her long-term goal and her confidence began to increase.

The next step was to go through the process of applying to Cleveland Police to work as a volunteer. Michelle had applied to be a volunteer with Cleveland Police several times in the past however, she had been unsuccessful.

Michelle was determined not to give up and continue applying. This involved completing application forms and attending interviews. Andrea supported Michelle through this application process and prepared her for the interviews.

In January 2011 Michelle heard back from Cleveland Police to attend an interview and has now secured a contract with them working as a ‘Customer Service Volunteer’.

Michelle said

“With the help of Five Lamps and my determination to not give up I am finally living the dream and loving every minute of it”.

Michelle has successfully passed her six month probationary period with Cleveland Police and absolutely loves her role.

Sylwia Nowaska is a young woman living in Thornaby, who travelled from her home land in Poland with her husband and children, to secure a better lifestyle for her and family.

Life has been difficult though and Sylwia was advised by the Job Centre to secure support from Five Lamps.

Sylwia is an artistic and talented young woman with a natural ability in arts and crafts, however when she first met Jane, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker, she did not consider these skills. Sylwia was prepared to settle for ‘any job’ without considering the many skills she had.

With Jane’s help they created realistic goals, to offer her the challenges and attainable goals Sylwia deserved. Jane gave Sylwia time to discuss her skills and talents and previous work history. Through exploring her previous experiences it was established that Sylvia has a natural talent in arts and crafts and floristry. In Poland, Sylwia worked as a florist and used her talent in art to create individualised Christmas bobbles and decorations.

Jane referred Sylwia to a Five Lamps work club to complete her CV and also to training in First Aid and ICT. Jane also recognised Sylvwa’s unique skills and talents could be used to create an innovative and successful business and advised Sylwia to secure self-employment.

Jane also referred Sylwia to Five Lamps Enterprise Team to provide expertise, practical training and financial support to set up her own business.

During this time Stockton Council launched the Nifty Fifty Challenge. This was launched as part of The Eureka Programme, through Stockton Enterprise Gateway and the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Global Enterprise week, offering the community of Stockton a platform to market their product. The successful candidates were given £50.00 to purchase the materials they required and to launch their products. They were given 2 weeks to create and sell their products, the most successful candidate winning £500.00 Travel vouchers.

The Nifty Fifty Challenge was a brilliant opportunity for Sylwia to showcase her unique talents. Jane contacted her with regard to the competition and through her encouragement and support Sylwia agreed to enter. Sylwia and several other talented new entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to promote and market their goods at Stockton Christmas Market.

On the 16 November 2011 Sylwia and her family and the other contestants were invited to an awards event to celebrate the achievements of the week. Sylwia and her family attended and were thrilled when they were announced as the winners of the Nifty Fifty Challenge after generating £544 by making and selling beautiful Christmas baubles, cards and flower arrangements.

Sylwia is getting continued help and support from Five Lamps Enterprise Team, is in the process of developing her Business Plan and is receiving assistance to find a suitable outlet for her merchandise.

Her success with the challenge clearly demonstrates that she not only has the creative and artistic vision, but also the commercial skills to turn this into a successful, profitable business.

Sylwia’s career path is exciting and innovative; she will progress with her unique flair and individualised, customised decorations and floral bouquets. A truly sparkling future awaits her.

She said “

I don’t know what I would have done without Jane’s encouragement for me to enter the Nifty Fifty Challenge. The continued support I have received from Five Lamps is invaluable”.

Luciano first came to Five Lamps through ‘Communities Fund’ in August 2010.

Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed.

During an initial meeting with Natalie South, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker, it was established that Luciano wanted to undertake an ICT course to help him progress into employment in the oil industry.

Luciano started an ICT Level 1 Functional Skills course at Five Lamps in September 2010. He had a basic understanding of computers but wanted to learn more about Microsoft Office. Luciano was a diligent learner and a wonderful member of the group, his attitude to learning was excellent and he went on to successfully complete and pass the course.

With his new found confidence Luciano decided with Five Lamps help to undertake the ICT Level 2 Functional Skills course, which he completed in June 2011. In July 2011 he received his results confirming he had successfully passed Level 2.

Luciano said

“Considering I used to be against computers all of my life; I now have the confidence to use them”

In September 2011 Luciano is ready to embark on a new challenge; he is going to undertake a UCAPD ICT course run by The University of Teesside in collaboration with Stockton Riverside College. Luciano has shown that with the right enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, you can succeed.

Luciano added

“Thanks to Five Lamps I am now eager to learn more about computers and especially my love of spreadsheets”