Getting back into work

During her working life she has been made redundant five times - most recently last November when she lost her position with Notts YMCA.

She decided to put her 15 years experience in welfare to work training to good use by passing on her knowledge to people using Worksop Work Club.

The club started in January this year and runs every Thursday morning at Worksop Library.

Lesley, 53, of Creswell Model Village, said: “I wanted to keep active and volunteering is very worthwhile, it keeps you involved with other people and it’s about giving something back.”

“If I can use my skills and experience to help somebody else find work, while I am not able to work myself, then I will.”

At the same time that Lesley lost her job, her husband John was diagnosed with a serious illness and Lesley is his carer.

She runs the Work Club with another volunteer on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm.

“It’s part of the Government’s Big Society which is all about getting local people to support each other and was set up by Self Help Nottingham.”

“We’re not attached to the Jobcentre and don’t have anything to do with benefits, we are just here to give help and advice on looking for work.”

The club is held in the Youth Zone room at the library, which has three computers for the use of job seekers.

Lesley said: “Some people aren’t as confident about using computers, or may never have used one, so we help with that.”

“We also help people with their CVs and with job application forms, covering letters and prospecting letters, written to companies in the hope they might have a vacancy.”

“We like to create a friendly and supportive environment for people, we always offer tea and biscuits to everyone when they come in.”

“We have newspapers so people can look through the job adverts and we can also help with searching for vacancies elsewhere as well.”

“The library have been very good in giving us this space to use free of charge and showing their support for what we are doing.”

“Having a separate room means it also gives us some privacy.”

“Everybody’s circumstances are different, some are coming back to work after illness, or after bringing up children, and a lot have suffered rejection while applying for jobs. We try to look at each individual’s needs.”

Lesley ran the future jobs programme at the YMCA. She said: “I can empathise because I have been a job-seeker myself.”

The work club is holding a jobs fair and advice day on 28th September at the council-owned shop unit No 73 Bridge Street, Worksop.

It will run from 10am to 4pm and will give jobless people the chance to meet employers with vacancies, and support agencies which can give information and advice.

Lesley said: “There will be help with preparing a CV, interview skills and job applications.”

“I’m hoping that we get more local employers on board to come and support it.”

n For more information call 07980 695026 or email [email protected].