AN employment service aimed at helping people of Wokingham to get back into work has been officially launched.
Coinciding with Employability Day on Friday, July 14, The Salvation Army, in Sturges Road, welcomed Wokingham Borough Councillors Oliver Whittle and Julian McGhee-Sumner to its new employment service to highlight the importance of local job seeker support.
Employment Plus Local is a Salvation Army initiative where anyone experiencing unemployment can find information and guidance to help them back into work.
The support utilises facilities provided by Wokingham In Need including The Wokingham Drop-In Centre: two portable cabins installed alongside the Sturges Road hall. It was opened in March in memory of supporter Sue Balchin.
It comes as many unemployed people struggle to gain access to mainstream employment support unless they are claiming social security or have been referred by another agency.
In Wokingham, the team helps around 25 vulnerable adults each day, all of whom will now have access to the Employment Plus Local service.
Wokingham Salvation Army’s team leader Lt Jan Howlin said: “Some people come to us and they may have mental health issues, some are experiencing homelessness.
“Some have found accommodation but still need support.
“Sometimes people don’t have access to a computer or they can’t read or write.
“We’re not about seeing numbers, we always try to see the person as a whole and will offer tailored support – I’m delighted we now have this dedicated employment support service that’s open to anyone in the community who is looking for work.”
One of the people who has benefited from the service is Megan (not her real name), 48, who first started visiting Wokingham Salvation Army four years ago when she was struggling financially.
The support started with a food parcel, but now Megan is able to use the computers and gets help with searching for jobs, and answers to any questions she may have during her hunt for work.
She said: “I find it very helpful to be able to come in here and be able to use the computers and to search for jobs. I need to work to get money to pay my bills and live. I can also use the phone at The Salvation Army to call up and ask about a job.
“I’m looking for kitchen jobs or cleaning jobs.”
Cllrs Whittle and McGhee-Sumner were invited to see the service at Wokingham first-hand as part of the Employability Day initiative.
Cllr Whittle said: “I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the officer and volunteers and the work that they do, particularly with people who are homeless and those who are unemployed.
“And I am pleased that there are strong links to the Wokingham Borough Council staff.
“The support to encourage people who are unemployed to seek work of whatever nature is to be applauded and it is impressive that links have been established with local businesses.”
Lt Howlin added: “In this area we tend to see a lot of people looking for work in manual labour.
“However when people come to us it’s not just employment support that we offer.
“The vulnerable people we work with will get help in a variety of areas such as help with understanding benefits and housing options, keeping appoint-ments, filling in forms, signposting to other services – all sorts.”
The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus Local centre in Wokingham is open Monday and Thursdays between 1pm and 4pm. Other support services, which include a community drop-in and an over 60s friendship club, are open Monday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 11am.
