Inspiring Families
To protect the privacy of our customers we use alias names in success stories.
At registration, David informed his Inspiring Families Employment Adviser at Groundwork that he had long spells of unemployment due to a chronic health condition. He was now well and managing his condition better but was worried that no employer would give him a chance because of his unemployment history.
The Inspiring Families programme is an initiative designed to help individuals facing multiple and complex family issues to get back into work. It is funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund. Groundwork is part of Serco’s network of expert organisations chosen to deliver the Inspiring Families programme on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Going through his CV, his adviser noticed he had previously worked as a concierge. She had just received an email from the Employment Liaison Team regarding vacancies at Premier Inn. She felt this would be a good opportunity for David so emailed him the Job Spec.
David wasn’t particularly keen but his Inspiring Families adviser persuaded him to give it a try and attend the interview open day to use it as a practise interview. She invited him to a group preparation session prior to his interview. Having attended the interview David informed her that it was great, he had really enjoyed it; although a little nervous he was looking forward to hearing the outcome.
Premier Inn also liked David and invited him to attend a trial shift following which he was offered a full-time position working at the new Westminster Hotel.
David was able to conduct his own job search and came across well but benefited from having someone listen to his fears and give him the confidence and encouragement to try something different, to look at other ways of approaching the jobs’ market and open up the door he felt was closed to him.
David said “The help and support I received from my adviser was brilliant. I didn’t need help with writing a CV. What I needed was support, encouragement, a boost to my confidence and some guidance, and that’s exactly what my adviser gave me. She encouraged me to go for it…
At home, alone, my fears and worries about the job, my experience and my CV got in the way of me thinking clearly. I had one of those lightbulb moments - I agreed and said 'You’re absolutely right, I should go for it'. What I needed in that moment was encouragement and guidance and that’s what my adviser gave me”.
Serco delivers the Inspiring Families programme in Haringey, Hackney, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Greenwich, Barking & Dagenham and Havering.
Individuals living in North and East London can contact us for more details and to find out if they are eligible for support through the Inspiring Families programme.
