Working Links, a leading organisation
that helps the long-term unemployed into work, is celebrating its
achievement of supporting 10,000 jobseekers from Hackney back into
work and helping them to turn their lives around.
All 10,000 jobseekers were helped by Working
Links to find work through the government’s New Deal contract that
specifically helps those furthest from the labour market, including
lone parents and those with disabilities. Working Links has four
offices in Hackney which have together run the New Deal programme
since 2002, offering clients a personal consultant and their own
tailored support programme.
To mark the occasion, Working Links are
holding an event at the Hackney Empire this Wednesday (03/11/09)
which will see local partners and providers come together to
celebrate this fantastic milestone. Guests will hear from Working
Links, Jobcentre Plus and a representative from Active4Life, the
with entertainment being provided by Anna Fiorentini Theatre &
Film School’s Chyoma Walrond, the African dance group GAHU and the
Working Links’ house band - The Dashes!
Working Links will also be issuing awards to
its Hackney based team in recognition of their efforts in helping
these clients back into the workplace. Support offered by
consultants includes help with CV writing, training courses,
confidence mentoring and practical advice on debt, childcare and
housing.
The 10,000th jobseeker who was supported into
work by Working Links on the New Deal programme is Oluwayemsi
Oyedele-Ogundayo from Hackney. Olu was out of work for a number of
years devoting her life to raising her four children.
With help from her personal consultant
Chantelle Campbell, Olu was given one-to-one support in interview
techniques, new interview clothes and confidence mentoring before
securing a number of real interviews with care sector employers,
Olu’s chosen career path. With the support she gained from
Chantelle Campbell, Olu secured a role with Red Spot Agency in the
care sector. Olu is thoroughly enjoying her new role and is very
proud to be the 10,000th jobseeker in Hackney New Deal
programme.
Further media interviews are available with
clients at the event, including Lorraine Fox, a lone parent with
two children from Hackney who was out of work for 12 years.
Lorraine has recently been helped to set up her own business,
having approached Working Links last year after hearing about the
organisation through Jobcentre Plus. Lorraine was assigned a
self-employment business advisor, Guiseppe Salvati, who helped her
with legal advice, creating a business plan and with start-up
funding.
Lorraine started her own business last August,
The Sandwich Barge, an eco-friendly catering service on board her
barge on Regents Canal that she refurbished herself from scratch.
She is thrilled to be running her own business, supporting her
family and is now hopeful for the future.
Event Agenda:
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Time
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Programme
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3pm
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Champagne reception
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3.30pm
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Welcome speeches by:
Charlene Greenaway, Delivery Manager for
Hackney, and Steve Woodward, Regional Director for London & the
South East
Breege Burke, Managing Director
Provider Horun Meah & Jamaine Trotman,
Active 4 Life
Ian Smith, Director for Flexible New Deal
Message from Keith Faulkner, Chairman
|
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4pm
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Hackney 10,000 Awards, presented by Brian
Bell, Chief Operating Officer and Sally Litchfield, Operations
Manager for London & the South East
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4.40pm
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Performances by:
Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School’s
Chyoma Walrond, Charlie Jones, Daniel Ageyman, Kimberley Johnson
and Antonia Odisla
The Dashes
African dance group GAHU
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5.20pm
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Closing words from Graham Houghton, City &
East London Jobcentre Plus District Manager
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5.30pm
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Networking, buffet and bar, accompanied by The
Dashes
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7pm
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Ends
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