'Back to work' training a hit with Home residents

Local residents are taking part in housing association Home’s first ever work placement programme which is being piloted in offices based in Havant, Harlow and Eastcote in Middlesex.

The programme will last for up to a year giving volunteers invaluable experience in housing management, administration, customer services and regeneration. The scheme will greatly help all participants find future employment in the competitive job market.

Home resident and volunteer Perrie Greaves said: “After bringing up my children for most of my adult life I often wondered if I was getting too old to try something new. When I saw the Home leaflet offering this chance to gain work experience and study I jumped at the opportunity. I feel inspired to change my direction and the staff and other people I have met have been fantastic, really supportive.”

Each volunteer will work alongside Home staff assisting them in a variety of duties, such as; reception cover, accompanying housing officers on site visits, IT, telephone work, lettings, repairs, community events, and much more.

Staff will create individual training plans for each volunteer, as well as support with child care payments, travel and lunch costs, personal development training and even the opportunity to study for an NVQ. Placements will last approximately six months to a year and if successful will be rolled out across other regions within the group.

An induction day was hosted recently by Home to welcome all the volunteers, giving them a chance to meet each other and staff. Janet Collins, Training and Development Advisor Home South comments:

“We were amazed at the response and the high calibre of applicants wanting to take part. This is the first time Home has run this project and we were only able to take on eleven volunteers as part of the pilot.

“However, the response of our customers has been fantastic and it is obviously something we should consider doing in other areas across Home Group. The programme will give our customers real insight into the ‘world of work’ and help those who are seeking future employment and careers in housing and other related fields. We aim to develop each volunteer so they become an effective member of the team.”

Ends

About Home

Home is one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing, care and support, and is committed to creating thriving communities where people want to live. The group, which has a turnover in excess of £283m, manages 55,000 homes throughout England and Scotland and employs nearly 4,500 staff.

www.homegroup.org.uk

More information

For more details about the Home South Customer Volunteer Work Placement Programme contact:
Debbie Pack, PR Officer (Home South)
T: 020 8582 2203
M: 07985 339551
E: debbie.pack@homegroup.org.uk