Date: 21 March 2008
An urgent appeal for help has been issued by
an East London project that works with Bangladeshi ex-offenders to
get their life back on track.
Kormo Shadin - a programme run by Working
Links in Tower Hamlets and supported by the London Development
Agency – is expanding its team. But its search so far for a female
consultant to join the team is proving difficult.
“Our team has so far helped more than 100
people since June last year,” explained Soji Olukunle of Working
Links. “But to continue that success we need a female consultant to
join us so that we can extend our services to reach even more
people.
“We need someone so that we can specifically
help female Bangladeshi ex-offenders change the direction of their
life by helping them to improve their opportunities and move into
jobs, work placements or training programmes.”
The female consultant (whose role is exempt
under Section 7 (2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975) would
be responsible for providing support to ex-offenders. For many
ex-offenders finding sustainable employment is the most important
means of getting their lives back on track. But it can also be just
one difficulty among the many that they encounter.
The Kormo Shadin team is looking for a person
who is able to speak Bengali, has a knowledge of the Bangledeshi
culture and ideally worked with ex-offenders.The consultant would
guide and support jobseekers through a range of activities to help
them overcome obstacles to reintegrate into the community and
develop a brighter future.
Added Soji: “We are looking for someone with a
passion for people and a desire to use it to change lives. The
consultant can make a huge difference by helping connect female
Bangladeshi ex-offenders with opportunities.”
Since its launch in June 2007 the Kormo Shadin
project has already received acclaim. And earlier this month it
played an important part in helping the London Borough of Tower
Hamlets secure a Beacon award for reducing re-offending in the
borough.
In less than a year 150 people have registered
on the programme and nearly 30 have gone in to work.
The project, which is also delivered in Newham
and Hackney, positive relationships with local criminal justice
services, drugs treatment agencies, youth and community
organisations, housing associations and the faith sector have been
formed.
Working Links is well placed to deliver the
Kormo Shadin programme. Founded in the year 2000 initially to
address the issues facing long-term unemployed people, its role has
steadily developed. Through its belief that sustained employment is
the route out of poverty, it has helped change the lives of many
people. Its varied programmes have a positive knock-on effect on
the wider community. To date, it has helped more than 90,000 people
into work across the UK.
For further information about Working Links and the Kormo Shadin
project call Tower Hamlets office on 020 7422 4230 or visit
www.workinglinks.co.uk.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Charlotte Jackson, Regional Business Partner
Tel: 07966 801 165 or email:
charlotte.jackson@workinglinks.co.uk
Or Nicola Doughty, Press Officer
Tel: 07792 445512 or email: nicola.doughty@workinglinks.co.uk
Notes to editors
- Working Links was founded in 2000 and operates in almost 100
locations across England, Scotland and Wales. It is a unique
organisation that delivers services to tackle social exclusion and
poverty by helping disadvantaged individuals and communities.
- The organisation’s belief that employment is the best route out
of poverty has helped more than 85,000 people back into the
workplace.
- It is a public-private-voluntary partnership between the
Government’s Shareholder Executive, Manpower, Capgemini and Mission
Australia. It delivers effective solutions by working in
partnership with organisations including the Learning and Skills
Council, Jobcentre Plus, Probation Service, One Parent Families and
Daycare Trust.
- Profit is not Working Links’ driving force. Its shareholders
endorse its social purpose and are interested in how Working Links
can create long term value, investing in the quality of services
and the communities where it operates.
- Working Links helps and supports people who face significant
challenges and barriers such as those who have been unemployed for
a long time to former offenders, lone parents and older workers. It
also works with employers and the prison and probation services to
help prisoners in over 20 institutions.
- By helping the most vulnerable in society to improve their
skills and help them move into jobs with a future, Working Links
can create a greater sense of social inclusion. This leads to
better health, education, reduced crime and brighter futures.