Genesis helps Hackney residents back into employment

Genesis Community, part of Genesis Housing Group, is working to help local people back into employment, starting with door-knocking on homes managed by Pathmeads (also part of Genesis) in Hackney. And the take-up rate shows early signs of success.

Of the six Hackney estates the team covered in early September, 1048 doors were knocked on and over 40 residents signed up to attend Personal Development Plan days scheduled for later this month.

The 50% of residents who were out at the time were left flyers and many have since contacted the team with an interest in signing up.

Genesis Community is approaching residents in the north west of the borough. Genesis is one of the nine social landlords Hackney Council is funding to lead on outreach work.

Personal Development Plan days will be based at local community facilities where translators, a financial advisor and job brokers will be on hand. The aim is to lead unemployed residents to employment, enterprise, training or education.

Estelle Bevis-Murrain, a Hackney resident, said: “Genesis Community staff made me feel comfortable and at ease, which really made me feel confident in signing up to the project.”

Iain Mackechnie-Jarvis, Head of Genesis Community, said: “Genesis Community works with communities to challenge the factors that contribute to social and economic deprivation.

"By helping Hackney residents into employment, enterprise and training through support and facilitation as part of our Life Change Programme, we aim to tackle some of those challenges.”