Help in finding work – the ESHO project
As part of the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub Outreach (ESHO) Project, our employment and skills coordinator Alison Willis works over the northern half of Stroud district with a remit to help people who are facing barriers to employment to find work. For people who feel cut off from the workplace but would like to find work, Alison offers a helping hand by supporting them to find a job that suits their skills and experience.
Since we joined the ESHO project in early 2023, nine people have found voluntary work, and ten have found paid work, despite facing numerous obstacles (not least of which is the lack of public transport).
Alison offers practical support with job searching, CV writing, research and interview practice, providing intensive one to one support for up to six months.
Autumn 2024 update:
Enhancing lives with ESHO by Shelley Rider and Alison Wills
We have been delivering the Employment and Skills Hub Outreach Project for Stroud District since April this year, with a new member of staff, Shelley Rider, taking on a role that was based at Dursley’s GL11 Community Centre in the past but is now based in Stroud.
We’ve had a busy year so far, with 32 participants currently receiving one-to-one support on their journey towards further education, training or employment.
So far, we’ve helped six people find paid work and another 10 gain valuable experience as volunteers. We’ve arranged work experience with local employers such as the Long Table and the Co-op, and are now collaborating with Ecotricity to see how we can help local people access the many opportunities there.
There are many challenges facing Stroud residents looking to move on with their lives, especially those facing problems with their mental or physical health.
However, with dedicated one-to-one support, we can help people re-engage with the community, gain skills and confidence and also hopefully move into work.
Anyone who is currently unemployed and who isn’t in receipt of benefits, or who is receiving benefits with a sick note, can contact us for help and information, via:
alison@stroudvalleysproject.org or shelley@stroudvalleysproject.org
Spring 2024: ESHO on track by Alison Willis
This year, our Employment and Skills Hub Outreach Coordinator, Alison Willis, working as part of the Gloucestershire Council-funded ESHO programme, supported 24 people who were facing barriers to work.
The programme provides up to six months of intensive one-to-one support to people who are currently unemployed and facing a range of challenges including health, disability, long periods out of the workplace, or simply lack of skills and experience.
Eleven participants were successful in finding paid work in a range of areas from hospitality and manufacturing to care work and office-based roles and nine found voluntary roles and are playing a vital role in supporting our local community.
The programme has now received funding for a further year and, with an additional coordinator coming on board, we hope to provide support to around 50 people in the coming year.
The service is open to anyone who is unemployed and who doesn’t have a requirement to work from the job centre.
Anyone looking for support with finding work can email Alison at alison@stroudvalleysproject.org or phone her on 07810 202489 for an informal chat.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
