European Social Fund in England

Hamnet job opportunities

Facts and Figures

The project is funded by Jobcentre Plus and the European Social Fund. The ESF funding is worth £623,691 for the period 28.4.03-31.12.04. Contracted for 400 beneficiary starts and 200 job outcomes. The project is based in Thornton Heath and attracts its beneficiaries from the South London area, specifically Croydon.

What's the Project all about?

The project targets BME groups, 18-24 and long term unemployed and aims to improve their employability by overcoming cultural, social, educational and economic barriers to labour market participation.

Successes and Achievements

Ms M attended the ESF open day at Hamnet after seeing the programme advertisement in the local press and signed up for the ESF programme.

Ms M is a lone parent with a young child and considered childcare arrangements and the associated costs a barrier to finding employment. The ESF Job Opportunities programme was able to help with childcare arrangements and offered ongoing personal adviser support and soft skills training whilst Ms M completed job search elements and work experience on the ESF programme.

After engaging on the ESF Job Opportunities programme Ms M was interviewed by one of the placement officers at Hamnet who arranged an work trial interview with a local employer Peacocks. After successfully completing the four-week work trial, Peacocks offered Ms M full time employment. Without the childcare and staff support from Hamnet, Ms M wouldn't have had the opportunity to take the work trial opportunity. Without which she wouldn't have had the offer of employment.

Ms M has now closed her claim for Income Support and is continuing her career with Peacocks.

A Lone Parent, Ms X saw the advertisement for Hamnet's ESF provision in The Voice magazine. Ms X accessed the programme and was immediately interviewed by the placement officers for possible work placement or work trial opportunities. During her work-focused interview, placement officers suggested to Ms X that she attend a work trial interview with Asda, one of the new ESF placement employers enlisted by Hamnet.

Ms X attended the interview after completing the interview technique soft skills training session with Hamnet and completing mock interview practice with the placement staff. Ms X was successful with the placement interview and started her work trial with Asda. After successfully completing her two-week work trial, Asda employed Ms X in full time work. Ms X has ceased claiming benefit and remains in full time employment.

When Ms X joined the programme she thought it was impossible to get a job, as she had been out of work for approximately one year. The Hamnet ESF programme helped build her self-confidence and self esteem to such an extent she has successfully secured sustainable employment.

Lone parent Ms S was referred to Hamnet's ESF Job Opportunities programme by her New Deal Lone Parent Adviser at Streatham Jobcentre Plus office. Ms S had been receiving income support for two years and had a young son, aged 2 years. The adviser suggested the ESF provision because attendance on the programme is on a part time basis, less than 15 hours per week. This ensured that Ms S would continue to receive benefit and continue to meet the conditions of benefit entitlement.

Ms S considered the costs of childcare and finding suitable childcare a huge barrier to her return to employment. Hamnet were able to provide financial support with childcare arrangements, thus allowing Ms S the time and resources for active job search and providing her with ongoing support and training on soft skills, such as interview techniques, presentation skills, confidence building, budgeting and planning skills to assist with the transition from income support to paid employment.

Through her hard work and discipline Ms S has gained employment with the Home Office.

Further Information: Getting Involved

For further information on the above project contact:

Gloria Hamilton, Project Manager

Tel: 020 8855 6830

E-mail: gloriahamilton@lanceepines.co.uk