Merlin helps unemployed back into work

Published by Hywel LLoyd for Merlin Housing Society in Housing and also in Communities

Merlin Housing Society is working with an innovative social enterprise scheme to help the long term unemployed in its communities get back into work.

South Gloucestershire  based Merlin has partnered with Clean Slate Training and Employment to deliver training and job opportunities in line with its Business Plan aim of investing in communities.

The organisation is funding Clean Slate to run a weekly drop in session from a community space in Cadbury Heath - one of its most deprived neighbourhoods.

And six residents recently attended a training course at Merlin’s head office to develop basic interview and CV writing skills, before meeting Merlin managers and employees in mock interviews.

“We’re committed to releasing the potential of our customers and tackling exclusion and disadvantage,” said Operations Director Amanda Meanwell.

“I was really impressed by the candidates who came along to this first training session. They all knew what a difference getting a job would make to their lives and were determined to do whatever they could to increase their chances.”

“We feel confident that we can place some of the candidates we saw in our own organisation.”

Jeff Mitchell, Managing Director of Clean Slate said: “At grass roots, we employ long-term unemployed people who want to get into work but have lost their confidence and don’t know where to start.

“Our workers are keen to start employment and to build a future for themselves. We simply offer structured, practical, inspiring opportunities to make this happen.”