Charity Offers A 'new You' Service At Jobs Fair

'A NEW year, a new start, a new job and a new you' is the message from Shaw Trust as it takes part in one of the area's leading employment events.

After launching the flagship benefits to work Pathways programme in Greater Manchester East and West, the national charity, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people achieve work and independence, will be a major presence for the first time at Tameside JobsFair 2008.

The Tameside Employment Partnership-organised event, on January 29 in Ashton Town Hall in Ashton-under-Lyne, will showcase vacancies from around 20 employers and will also feature Steps to Work, a series of interactive seminars on entering or returning to employment.

The sessions in the Medlock Suite will begin with Shaw Trust's Chris Pleszak introducing Pathways to Work, which was launched at the beginning of December and is part of the government's crusade for full employment and an end to poverty.

Managed by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered in Partnership with JCP, Pathways provides extra help for people on incapacity benefits to find work, using a holistic service that includes support from highly skilled personal advisers, groundbreaking NHS rehabilitation support, a Return to Work Credit of £40 a week, and in-work support.

Throughout the day, which runs from 10am to 4pm, Shaw Trust staff will also be manning a stand to give advice on how the charity, which worked with over 60,000 people nationally last year, can help people.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to read about some of the success stories of Shaw Trust clients who have made the break from benefits to work. They include former Bolton factory owner Joseph Earp, who struggled when his newly established garment-making business went under, leaving him without a job for the first time since he left school.

"After six months I was really down and would probably still be at home feeling fed up if I hadn't heard about Shaw Trust. I wasn't able to motivate myself and I really needed someone to talk to," he said.

"Although I wasn't ready to jump straight back into full time work, they got me an interview straight away and in days I had started part time as a driver."

Shaw Trust Area Employment Manager Alyson Hall said visitors to the stand would be encouraged to leave their details. "We support people to overcome barriers towards getting to work, and the Jobs Fair is a great way for us to be able tell employers and potential clients how we can help them," she said.

Economic Development Officer Jackie Owens, has been organising the jobs fair on behalf of the Tameside Employment Partnership, comprised of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Jobcentre Plus and connexions.

She welcomed Shaw Trust to the event which, on past occasions, has attracted more than 1,400 people. "It's good to have them on board," she said.

* A freephone hotline of 0808 180 2001 is available for both local people who want help to make the break from health related benefits, and for employers who want to tap into the pool of people who are eager to work.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For further details, please contact Sharne Halliday on 07967 661129 or you can email: crucialpr@shaw-trust.org.uk

2. Shaw Trust's specialist Pathways partners include: Condition Management Programme specialists Salus, self-employment specialists In Biz, Ashton-Under Lyne based clients will have job search support from Employment Opportunities, BTCV for work placements and tasters, Dering Employment Services for client with hearing disabilities, RNIB, JHP Training for Train to Gain and Adult Apprenticeship, Dyslexia Action and translation services from Prestige Network.

3. Shaw Trust is a national charity, formed in 1982, which helps people with disability or disadvantage to find work and achieve independence. We do this not only by delivering government programmes, but also through our own self-funded initiatives, and by campaigning to change attitudes at all levels.

4. Across the UK more than 1,200 staff now oversee a diverse range of more than 200 projects.

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