Rhondda Housing Association

Action for Change & Find Your Future projects

Action for Change• 3 Year project to provide employment, training and volunteering

opportunities.

• Project Achievements: • The project supported 175 people. • 130 to access training. • 66 people secured employment or went to further education. • 75 people gained valuable experience volunteering.

• And finally proud award winners.

The Process• Individual, client centred approached, 16 week programme.

• Initial Assessments: Recording achievements and aspirations, identifying gaps in skills or experience and addressing barriers.

• Progress assessments: acknowledging current achievements,

identifying further needs or barriers. *ensure participants acknowledge their achievement and progress.

• Exit Assessment: identifying achievement and future plans.

Partners• RHA Contractors and local business – offering work

experience and placements.

• Young Recruits Programme - Supporting small business who can offer employment.

• DWP – Job Centre.

• Local Training providers and employers offering bespoke training followed by guaranteed interviews.

Case Study

• ‘I had been unemployed for 7 months, applied for 74 jobs and had almost given up when I was put in touch with the Action for Change scheme. I am now a trainee plumbing engineer and planning on enrolling in college in September. I’m so pleased I got in contact with the project; I now feel supported and my confidence has increased’.

Dan, 19 .

Case Study

• ‘Before I had support from the Action of Change project I was a full time carer, I was sad, suffering with my nerves and had no social life. Now I’m not just learning but I have friends and even my family have noticed I’m much happier! I now wake up and have something to look forward to, something to talk about and I’m even completing a Diploma in IT. My whole life has changed because of the support of the project’.

Janet, 52.

Participants Journey…

This is a short film on our Action for Change project:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp03M_M9v4s

Learning from Action for Change

• For many, entering training or volunteering was too daunting.

• Participants needed more time and intense support to build confidence.

• More social events and informal meetings would initially appeal to them.

• Being part of a peer group was important. • Having someone who has similar experience is useful.

Find Your Future Project Project remit:• Participants will increase their confidence and self-esteem,

supporting them to become involved with community life and wider society.

• Participants will be supported to improve their health and wellbeing and develop new skills.

• Participants will feel less isolated as a result of new community groups being set up.

• Participants can access a range of vocational training and volunteering opportunities.

The Process • Personal Support .• One to One home visits.• Confidence building.• Personal Development. • Long term support.

• Peer Support groups. • Local community groups set up.• Opportunities to develop social skills .• Explore health and well-being. • Build new skills .• Groups supported to become independent and sustainable.

The Process• Employment and vocational skills. • Support to access essential skills training.• Support to access accredited training .• Sourcing volunteering opportunities. • Job Club - CV and application writing, interview preparation.

• Assistance through Business in Focus for those who have business and enterprise ideas.

Engagement & Monitoring • Referrals through Housing Officers, Financial Inclusion team,

partners and site/estate visits.

• Completion of initial assessment, identifying levels of confidence and self-esteem, social engagement and future aspirations.

• Slow process, one to one support until ready to engage with peer support group.

• Regular progress assessments.

Achievements to date: • Engaged with 74 People.• 38 with increased confidence and self esteem .• 48 engaging more in community life and peer groups. *

• 3 Community groups, 1 job clubs set up & 1 interest group set up.

• 6 into employment.• New Connections group received an Inspiring Learners Award

with RCT Adult Education.• 56 individuals completed soft skills and vocational training

courses, total 140 opportunities. • 8 Volunteering placements.

Case Study.

Participants Journey…

This is a short film promoting our Find Your Future project:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9bkDftJJI

Any Questions?

For further information contact Simone on: Tel: 01443 424218

email: simon@rhondda.org