Restart Scheme
As part of our ongoing commitment to improve the communities we serve, Serco’s Restart Scheme has partnered with Better Pathways, a charity in Birmingham which supports people with learning difficulties and mental health illnesses, to offer their service users access to free digital skills training.
The Restart Scheme supports eligible jobseekers to get back to work, and Serco has a team of functional skills tutors who support these jobseekers to improve their skills and employability prospects. Clive Thomas, Serco Partnership Coordinator, met with Better Pathways to establish how Serco and Better Pathways could work together to meet the needs of the local community, and develop a joint resource that their service users could easily access and benefit from.
A need for IT skills support was identified, especially for those living with learning difficulties and mental health illnesses, who struggle to access the support they need to incorporate IT in their day-to-day lives, meaning they are often left behind. As part of the Better Pathway’s person-centred approach to supporting their service users, the team was able to identify the appetite for IT skills training.
The five-week course was delivered by Leigh Whiting, one of Serco’s Digital Skills Tutors. The course equipped learners with the digital skills needed for today’s world including online shopping, how to stay safe online and online job searching. It also boosted the confidence and motivation of the learners, giving them a real sense of achievement.
Seven learners completed the course, and their achievements were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at Better Pathways’ centre just before Christmas. Here is what they had to say:
‘I learnt a lot of useful knowledge. I didn’t know how to send an email and now I do.’
‘I liked it, I learnt how to go online safely.’
‘I enjoyed learning about internet crime. It was useful and fun too.’
Sue Roberts, Better Pathways CEO, adds: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Clive and Leigh in the Serco team on our digital skills project. To be receiving this support has made a massive difference to our service users. Not only has it given them the confidence to use computers, but it has created a real buzz. I would like to say a huge thank you to Clive for including us in this project.”
Update: Due to the success of the course and the great interest it received, the course ran again in January, with the cohort of seven learners completing the course in March.
To find out more about Better Pathways and the work they do visit: www.betterpathways.org.uk
