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COALFIELDS CHARITY HELPS COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES
Over 45 new jobs have been created in the last six months thanks to a new project supporting social enterprises in coalfield communities in Yorkshire and the North East.
Unemployed people of all ages have taken up a range of positions from youth development worker to recording studio manager, finance officer and fork lift tutor.
The posts have been created as a result of Jobs Pool, a new scheme devised by The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) which offers social enterprises funding so they can recruit and train new employees to help business development.
The CRT helps support the salary costs for one year, while the enterprise must commit to skills development and training to give individuals valuable and relevant work experience. If, at the end of the contract the employee cannot be retained, the organisation is required to support them into suitable alternative employment.
Social enterprises in Doncaster have created 16 new positions thanks to the Jobs Pool scheme at a time when many small businesses are struggling to find the capital to realise their development plans.
Refurnish – which featured on an episode of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire earlier this year – is a charity that collects, restores and sells furniture and electrical goods to low income households that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
Since April this year, Refurnish has created 10 new positions with the help of the CRT’s Jobs Pool scheme.
Andy Simpson of Refurnish says that without the Jobs Pool support, the organisation would not have been able to add to the workforce of 36 or increase the number of people it helps every year. Last year, Refurnish helped 5,200 households and, thanks to the new recruits, is on track to increase this to 8,500 this year.
“We knew which way we wanted to go, but wouldn’t have been able to do this without the Jobs Pool scheme. It has had a significant impact on our development, and the new recruits will have a portfolio of skills and experience that will enhance their career development,” he said.
Refurnish is working closely with its suppliers to ensure staff training and working practices are of the highest standard, so that trainees who cannot be retained at the enterprise are offered work with these companies.
“We pride ourselves on the flexibility and experience of our workforce, and hope to be recognised by other local employers working in related industries as a company which attracts and trains staff of the highest quality,” says Andy.
Employees work across the whole business, including production, warehouse, retail, sales and promotion, and administration.
One of the Jobs Pool recruits, Robert Hill is currently on a 52 week training work programme. He had been on Incapacity Benefit for three years, after he was diagnosed with arthritis, and worked as a volunteer at Barnsley NHS Trust until he found out from a friend that there were jobs going at Refurnish.
Since joining, Robert has completed a manual handling course and is currently doing an NVQ Level 2 in Warehouse Operations. In addition, Robert has updated his Forklift licence with a one day refresher course and is working with Refurnish’s Fork Lift Instructor to gain more experience to help train the volunteers who come to help out at the organisation.
“Working at Refurnish is an excellent experience,” says Robert.
Other Doncaster-based community organisations taking advantage of the Jobs Pool scheme include Higher Rhythm, an award-winning music and media focused organisation operating since 2001. Three new roles have been created in different strands of the business which includes Higher Rhythm Recording Studio, where Darren Feris joined as studio project leader. The purpose-designed town centre studio is now earning a reputation as one of the best in Yorkshire recording many of the region’s upcoming artists and operating seven days per week to cope with the rising demand.
Senior manager Steven Mundin said: “This side of the business has really taken off, and Darren is an important part of the team helping to develop services to such a high level. He is also about to start a teacher training course so he will be able to contribute to the practical skills development programme which is delivered through other strands of our company.”
“Having been a keen music engineer and electronic engineer for many years, even so far as running a part time studio business a few years ago, this is my ideal job,” says Darren.
Higher Rhythm also runs Sine FM, Doncaster’s only locally owned radio station, and has taken on new staff members to work in the marketing and advertising team there. Both are learning about audio editing and production as part of their training and development.
“The Jobs Pool funding has reduced the risk associated with taking on staff to help develop the business. These are necessary positions, handling specific tasks, that we needed to fill so the company could continue to grow, but the commitment to costs was holding us back,” said Steve, who is confident all three positions will become self-sustaining within the next year.
Rossington Welfare and Learning Centre has also taken on three new recruits working across all areas of the business. Centre manager Nuala Fennelly says the business is going from strength to strength, and the new roles were created to support existing personnel working in back and front office positions.
Hannah Collis, from Barnby Dun is enjoying her role as finance assistant – an area of business administration she hadn’t previously considered. Her daily tasks range from paying weekly wages, to checking the club’s accounts and preparing reports on income and outgoings.
“My job is quite a lot of fun, and all the people here are great. I feel much more confident now. I never really had any responsibility in previous roles, so the decisions I have to take have taught me a lot about my own capabilities,” says Hannah, who is studying CLAIT as well as learning about wages, club accounts and reporting procedures.
In addition, staff are given the opportunity to shadow other people working out of the centre, which hosts sessions by the PCT, NHS and local council.
Nuala says: “Our new team members have been great, giving existing staff some much-needed support and allowing us to think about ways to develop the business. It’s early days, but there is something in the pipeline which may mean we can offer at least one of them a role beyond the initial year long contract.”
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Head Office Address
Silkstone House, Pioneer Close, Manvers Way, Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham, S63 7JZ.
Email : info@coalfields-regen.org.uk
Phone : 0800 064 8560
Fax : 01709 765 599
Registered Charity in England & Wales: No.1074930
Registered Charity in Scotland: No.SCO39277
Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales: No.3738566