A group of residents from Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor are aiming to improve their chances of finding a job by taking part in an innovative programme inspired by football. Homes and communities business, livin, has funded the delivery of 10-week employability programme, ‘Back in the Game’ in partnership with SAFC charity The Foundation of Light.
The programme, aimed at giving unemployed people the skills, confidence and qualifications to help enhance their job prospects, started last week and challenges individuals to stretch their capabilities, physically and mentally, to realise their potential.
Held at livin’s community facility Foundations in Church Street, Shildon, the course is a chance for participants aged 19+ to undertake a variety of exercises designed to develop their skills, attitude and physical fitness, in a comfortable, motivating and inclusive setting.
As part of the programme jobseekers will also be offered a two-week work placement, as well as the chance to achieve nationally-recognised qualifications in work skills, numeracy, literacy and first aid.
Alan Boddy, executive director people and communities at livin, said, “Our business is about much more than letting and repairing homes. We want to support people to maximise their potential and improve their prospects and one of the most important ways we can do this is by helping them into employment by improving skills and confidence.
“Back in the Game helps to do this using fun an innovative ways of learning.”
Michelle McGuire, the Foundation of Light’s employability officer, said, “Back in the Game is proven to offer participants a very real chance of getting into work.
“Since the programme’s launch in 2009, we have engaged more than 400 people across Sunderland, County Durham and South Tyneside with almost half of our participants gaining employment.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for unemployed people who want to get into work and get more out of life.”
Upon completion of the programme, participants are invited to a graduation event at the Stadium of Light where they receive their course certificate, a tour of Sunderland AFC’s 49,000-capacity home and a ticket to an upcoming Black Cats Premier League clash.
Places on the programme are extremely limited and only available through referrals by livin to Foundation of Light staff, who will then review their suitability for the programme prior to starting.
For more information about livin and the partnership with the Foundation of Light visit livin.co.uk.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
My daughter is in the photo above and she has now got a job though doing the course I would urge anyone to give it a go as she has never been happier than she is now because she is now supporting herself