So far this year we’ve helped 15 customers into training and 31 into employment in the Liverpool area. One example of someone who has benefitted from this help is Haydn.

Haydn referred as recently come out of employment, as a fully experienced ForkLift Truck (FLT) operator. His shifts had changed and a late finish meant that he was unable to access public transport on finishing shift at 10pm and had no option but to leave his job.

His claim for Universal Credit was processed and Haydn required support from a housing officer to access a foodbank. He was referred to our Employment and Training team in March, who helped him with his CV and apply for several FLT roles across Liverpool.

Within a week of the referral Haydn started employment via agency, but needed to take the bus to get to the new job. Riverside’s Helping Hand fund supported Haydn with a two week trio pass.

The employer offered Haydn a fulltime permanent contract once the agency period had ended, but the weekly cost of the trio pass was difficult to balance with general living and rent costs.

Again through the Helping Hand fund, we we able to support Haydn in purchasing a bike through the cycle to work scheme, and he was able to sustain his employment in his new permanent role.

We will keep supporting people like Haydn across Liverpool and Merseyside throughout the rest of the year.