Ready, Steady, Work for charity after Rotary donation

A national charity working to help disabled and disadvantaged people in High Wycombe build skills to find work has thanked a local rotary club for a donation securing the short-term future of the project.

Shaw Trust, one of the largest charities providing employment services in the UK, says the £1500 donation from Jordans and District Rotary Club will help it continue the successful ‘Ready, Steady, Work’ programme. The programme looks at confidence building, motivation and goals as well as CV writing, interview techniques and mock interviews. Previous clients include homeless people and people with drug and alcohol problems.

Gillian Hudson, Shaw Trust’s Team Leader in High Wycombe, said: “We’re delighted to receive this donation from Jordans and District Rotary Club. Their generous support means that we’re able to help people who really need it develop the kind of skills that employers look for.

“Finding work is very difficult for anyone at the moment, but if you’re homeless or have had drug or alcohol problems in the past, the barriers are much higher. It means a lot to Shaw Trust to know that people in the local community care enough about supporting our clients to donate towards our work. We hope that other people will follow their lead and enable us to work with more of those who need our support.”

Kristin Coles, a recent starter on the project, said: “I’d like to have my own place, but I just need money first. Any job will do. I really would like gardening because I like working outside with others but whatever is going. I want to gain interview skills and a CV. I’m 20 in January and my ambition is to get a job and a place before my birthday.”

Course tutor Warren Brookes said: “The main thing for me is the difference in the people. At the start of the course they’re quiet and really down on themselves and by the end they’re looking forward to the future, asking ‘what I can do next?’I first came to Shaw Trust as a client so I can empathise with people because I’ve had similar problems in the past. The biggest challenge people face as they’re out of work and have problems in their lives is confidence. People hear about job cuts in the news and how bad it is and think, “why would anyone employ me”. Even after 6 weeks you can see the change in people.”

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