Lone parents get a lift from ‘A4e Elevate’
Customers are picking up new skills, rediscovering forgotten ones, and improving self-confidence and knowledge through a programme developed with Jobcentre Plus in Yorkshire and the North East.
“We’ve found that the main barrier to work for lone parents is confidence and self-esteem issues, and not recognising that they can transfer their parenting skills to the workplace,” said Joanne Ormston, lone parent co-ordinator at A4e Northumbria.
“Lone parents have often been out of work for long periods of time and require advanced jobsearch skills. There has also been a lack of information on how to overcome hurdles like childcare, money and benefits. This programme addresses all of these issues.”
Piloted with Jobcentre Plus offices in Doncaster, Gateshead, Newcastle, York and others, ‘Elevate’ (as the programme is known in Yorkshire) helps lone parents to progress from feeling unsure about their place in the working world to achieving their ambitions through determination and self-belief. Engagement and motivation are key elements of the programme, which covers elements from personal stocktaking, recognising barriers to work and action planning, to money advice, CV building, and work with body language and assertiveness.
Annette Harker, Elevate trainer at York, tells us about her work with local lone parents: “We build their confidence and help lone parents to see that they have a lot to offer employers. As they work on their self awareness, a process of change takes place. Then, at the end of this period, a work placement gives them a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the area of work they are interested in.” Customers who join the programme often have differing unemployment histories, which means that content is typically developed in line with group and individual needs. “Working with lone parents is very rewarding,” Annette adds. “And it’s clear that the work we do with Elevate helps them to improve their lives.”
“I am really looking forward to getting a job and getting my life back.” (Lesley) “At the start of the course I would have frozen and forgotten things in an interview. But, I had my first interview yesterday and it went really well.” (Charlotte)
Employment Minsister, Stephen Timms recently visited the A4e Hull office to talk to clients who have experienced the A4e Elevate programme. Talking about his visit to Hull Stephen Timms said; "I was very interested to hear for myself just how positive people are about their experience of being helped back into work by Jobcentre Plus, and how much they are enjoying working again. Having a job is important, not just for the increase in income, but also for the improved self-confidence and feeling of well-being that it often brings. And that is why the Government is committed to helping more people into work. People who have been unemployed for a long time are sometimes written off by employers, so it is good to see businesses in Hull giving our customers the chance to show what they can do, and finding excellent employees by doing so."
