WDH tenant celebrates getting back into work

An out of work Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) tenant from Ryhill has landed a new job thanks to the help and support of WDH and Wakefield Council’s Breakthrough to Work team.

Julie Kirk has been a regular at the Breakthrough to Work drop-in session at Havercroft and Ryhill Community Learning Centre since being made redundant in February. She is now celebrating after being offered a part-time position at the new Iceland store, which is opening in Wakefield City Centre.

Julie has worked with Louise Thompson, WDH’s Community Employment Advisor, and Julie Srivastava, from Wakefield Council’s Neighbourhood Employment Team, to update her skills while searching for employment. Since joining the group she has completed qualifications in text processing, maths and literacy. Louise and the team have also helped Julie with applications, CV writing, interview techniques and job searches.

“I’m really pleased about my new job,” says Julie. “It’s not really sunk in yet because it’s happened so quickly. The interview went really well and I was well prepared because of all the work I’ve done with Louise and Julie. They have been great. If I need help they are always there for me and I now feel much more confident. Even though I’ve now got a job I’m still going to go to the weekly Breakthrough to Work session to make sure I keep my skills up to date.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to starting work at Iceland,” adds Julie. “I want to prove what I can do and really make a success of it.”

Louise Thompson, who is on secondment from JobCentre Plus, was employed as WDH’s Community Employment Advisor in August 2008 to support Airedale and Hemsworth tenants who are seeking employment. So far she has helped 23 previously unemployed tenants back into work and 94 others into training.

“I’m here to help and support people as they search for work,” says Louise. “It’s not a quick fix and it really depends on the individuals as to how much support they need. A lot of our clients appreciate the support and interaction because it gives them a confidence boost. We understand that searching for work can be a difficult and time consuming process so we’re here to help make the process easier.”

Louise works in partnership with Wakefield District Council’s Neighbourhood Employment Team to run regular drop-in Breakthrough to Work sessions to help and support people as they search for employment.

During the sessions Louise and the team are on hand to help people with applications, CV writing, interview techniques, job searches, confidence building, training and benefit advice. Louise also sources training for her clients through local colleges and adult education centres.