Date: 3 July 2008

 

The Government’s flagship “back to work” contract, Pathways to Work for Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, has already claimed an early success with 23-year-old James Lloyds.

 

James, who had been claiming incapacity benefit, had, up until now, never had paid employment. James, who is from Cheltenham, had a history of depression and was lacking confidence and job-seeking skills. He is one of the first clients to receive help from the programme designed to support those on health related benefits.

 

Working Links, is delivering Pathways throughout the region and has been able to provide James with his own personal consultant, practical help before starting work as well as on-going support for up to six months in his new role. James had been receiving help from WTCS, until his health deteriorated, and when he was ready to continue a call was made to Working Links to provide additional assistance. 

 

Both organisations have been working in partnership to deliver a tailored package of support including organising voluntary work placements, a new CV, help with applications and practice interviews.  James’s Working Links consultant even completed a “better off calculation” with him to show the benefits and level of income he could expect on starting work. And, finally the Gloucester team at Working Links were able to purchase new clothes for James after he was successful at interview.

 

James said: “I wanted to say a massive thank you to Working Links for the belief they have showed in me. It is great to know they are still there for support during my first six months in my new job.”

 

Pathways to Work has been inundated with appointments from those claiming health benefits in the region and wanting to get back to work. Working Links has been delivering welfare to work initiatives since April 2000, and is very close to reaching a significant milestone of helping 100,000 unemployed people into work across the country.

 

For further information please contact:

Martin Huggins, Regional Business Partner

Tel: 07894 651278 or email: martin.huggins@workinglinks.co.uk

Or Nicola Doughty, Press Officer

Tel: 07792 445512 or email: nicola.doughty@workinglinks.co.uk