Riverside’s employment and training support services are proving a huge success for tenants in Leicester with housing association Riverside.

Rolled out after a successful trial period in Merseyside, employment and training support for tenants is resulting in jobs and access to training across the country.

Mother of two, Kat Potter, was able to secure a part time retail job that suited her childcare needs thanks to help with finding suitable vacancies that met her criteria. Bilal Mohammed, a young man with a history of mental health issues, was given confidence to understand his skills, and was also able to secure his desire retail job, thanks to coaching from Riverside’s team.

The confidence and resilience this support brings our tenants will hopefully have long-lasting and far-reaching effects

Riverside employment and training officer Radthika Kathrani said: “It’s great that we can help tenants identify their skills and experience to gain employment and training. The confidence and resilience this support brings our tenants will hopefully have long-lasting and far-reaching effects.”

Tenants in Leicester also recently took part in a four day employability course, in partnership with ASDA Magic. The course included CV writing and interview skills and participants enjoyed it so much they have recommended friends and family members to take the next course.

Riverside employment and training support is available on request, and also at their regular job club every Friday 10-12 at Mantle Road Library, Leicester. No appointment necessary.

 

Case studies:

Bilal, Leicester

After poor health stopped Bilal Mohammed studying for his A-Levels, he found himself lacking the confidence to find work.

Riverside employment and training team supported Bilal with writing a CV, identifying skills and interview preparation. All of this support resulted in Bilal securing a part time role as sales assistant with retailer Zara.

Employment and training officer Radthika Kathrani said: “Bilal’s confidence was low due to his poor health. He has great qualifications from school and lots of interests, so it was easy to help him build an impressive CV. After identifying that Bilal wanted to work in retail, we then went on a speculative walkabout together, handing out his new CV to local shops. This led to the offer of a next day interview at Zara, so I prepped Bilal over the phone that evening, resulting in a job offer for him.”

Everyone deserves to work and feel valued

Bilal added: “Before working with Radthika, I’d never had a professional interview. It was hard to feel useful after being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, but Radthika helped me identify my skills and I’m thrilled to have got a job in retail. And I’m now a full time employee after progressing from my part time role. I’d also like to help other young people with poor mental health through some peer counselling if I can. Everyone deserves to work and feel valued.”

 

Kat, Leicester

When Kat was referred to Riverside employment and training she had been a stay-at-home mum for 9 years. Understandably, she was finding the world of work very different to when she last had a job.

Employment and training officer Radthika Kathrani identified the hurdles Kat needed help to overcome, and together they secured her a part time job in a local shoe store as a sales assistant.

I’m so pleased

Kat said: “I wasn’t confident in the skills I had. Radthika helped me to build a CV showcasing to potential employers what I could offer them. She helped me sign up for employment agencies, and now I have my foot in the door with a local business! I’m so pleased.”

Radthika added: “Kat was doubting herself and putting unhelpful restrictions on the kind of work she wanted. I helped her to realise her many skills and identified the kind of jobs that would fit in with her childcare needs.”

 

Emma, Hinckley

When Emma, a young mum in Hinckley, was referred to Riverside Employment and Training, she was struggling to make ends meet and missing out on valuable family time due to a part time role that wasn’t working for her.

Working 12 hours a week as an on-the-road care assistant, but commuting between appointments for up to 25 hours. Emma was in a mess with her finances, and due to working extra-long hours and weekends, missing time with son George who had just started school.

Sasha really helped me to highlight my skills

Emma said: “I wanted to desperately spend more time with George but I needed to work too. Sasha really helped me to highlight my skills for the fitness industry work I wanted, and also how to present myself for a job I’d like to try in youth work.”

Riverside project worker Sasha Lawrence-Jackson said: “We worked together to create two CVs for Emma, one reflecting her fitness industry experience and the other as a youth support worker. We also researched local employers and contacts about upcoming vacancies. After our unsolicited enquiry, Snap Fitness gym offered Emma an informal interview which led to a position as part time Personal Trainer, a role she is now keen to make full time.”