Helping people with disadvantages to achieve independence through employmentRhoi help llaw i bobl dan anfantais ddod yn annibynnol drwy weithio

news magazine

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summer edition • 2012

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We have managed to secureover 150 sustainable jobs”“

WORK PROGRAMME 10 MONTHS ON...

challenges. There is now talk of adouble dip recession, which willmake employers very reluctant toinvest for growth within theircompanies, which in turn will havea negative effect in terms ofrecruiting for new staff. Welfareto Work is an area which has notbeen devolved to the WelshAssembly Government, whichmeans Work Programmeproviders in Wales are unable toaccess European Social Funding

The Work Programme waslaunched by the UK coalitionGovernment in the middle of theeconomic downturn, hencemaking it a very challengingprogramme for us to achieve ourmonthly job targets. However,since the start of the programmein June 2011, we have managed

Agoriad is now ten months into the delivery of the Work Programme inAnglesey and Gwynedd as a sub contractor for Working Links. Overthe course of the ten months over eight hundred benefit claimants havebeen referred to us, for help to find sustained paid employment.

to secure over 150 sustainablejobs. A pleasing aspect fromAgoriad’s perspective is that weare on par in terms of performancewith all of our delivery partnersthroughout Wales.

As we move forward to year twoof the Work Programme we willcontinue to face ongoing

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An experienced employment and training provider with over 20 years experience and a real understanding of our locallabour markets, Agoriad provides employers with a direct link to genuine and capable people seeking employment.

We have a team of Employment Officers located throughout North Wales with the experience, understanding and local knowledge required to match the right individual to the right job.

Our clients range from people searching for entry to professional levels as we work within the framework of Welfare to Work programmes.

If you have a vacancy or would welcome an informal and confidential chat about future employment issues we will be pleased to hear from you. Email: john@agoriad.org.uk

If you have a vacancy we may have a truly idealapplicant you may not have considered

'01248 361 392

James was referred onto the Work Programme afterhaving been unemployed for just over 12 months.Prior to that, he had been in full-time employmentbut due to the recession, he found himselfredundant and disheartened. James had been on asimilar scheme before coming to Agoriad butdidn’t find it very helpful so he was unsure as towhat Agoriad would be able to do to help him.Having enjoyed gardening for friends and family andgaining experience of block paving and strimmingwhilst working for a property developer on the Isle ofMan, James considered becoming self-employed.

Upon arrival at Agoriad in Holyhead, James metVanessa Camera-Jones with whom he discussed thepossibility of getting some advice on self-employment. Vanessa referred James to LouiseEvans at Agoriad, Bangor who helps WorkProgramme customers with self-employment adviceand assistance.

James arrived at Bangor and told Louise what hewas thinking of doing. Firstly, James was advisedthat he would need Public Liability Insurance andsurfed the internet in search of the best deal.Agoriad funded James’s insurance and also addedhis trailer to his vehicle insurance so he would beable to offer garden clearances as another service.

Having decided upon a suitable company name,James went away and set up an email address whilstLouise got to work designing business cards andadvertising cards to put in local newsagents and onnotice boards.

James said that he wanted a dark green uniform forwork and Louise advised him to get his companyname and phone number printed on them as this is aform of advertising. Prior to their next meeting,Louise designed a layout for James’s work t-shirtsand Agoriad paid for these and green work trousersfrom Huws Gray to match the t-shirts and to give amore professional appearance.

In the meantime, James was starting to takebookings in preparation for starting work. Now fullykitted out with his uniform and fully insured and withhis own equipment he’d collected over the yearsJames was keen to get working. James was now ina position to sign off Job Seekers Allowance.

Louise had previously given James advice regardinghis bookkeeping requirements but James alsoneeded to contact HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue &Customs) to inform them that he was now self-employed so he will now have to submit annual SelfAssessments. He also had to advise them that hisNational Insurance contributions would be changing.

for their Work ProgrammeCustomers. This is available forWork Programme customers inEngland, hence customers on theWork Programme in Wales aredisadvantaged, in terms ofmonies that can be accessed forre-training and courses whichwould help customers to return topaid employment.

At the beginning of April, a ‘YouthContract’ - which is a wagesubsidy incentive scheme foremployers - was introducedwithin the Work Programme. TheYouth Contract enables us to offeremployers a wage subsidy of£2,575.00 during the first 12months of employment of WorkProgramme customers betweenthe ages 18 and 24 years old.Employers in the main areapprehensive about employingyoung males from this customergroup due to what they perceiveto be a stereotype young male.However with fewer universityplaces and the current economic

Please contact:John Hughes at Agoriad on (01248) 361 392 or e-mail: john@agoriad.org.uk

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climate, more and more peoplenot in employment, education ortraining are very bright, articulateand highly motivated. Youngpeople can inject new talent,enthusiasm and perspectives intoforward-thinking businesses.

For the Work Programme to be asuccess, people have to be betteroff financially in work than theyare on benefits. This is notalways the case at present; quiteoften parents with young andschool-age children are financiallyworse off once in work than theyare on benefits. This is one of thereasons why the CoalitionGovernment is determined toreform the benefit system byreplacing all benefit schemes withjust one Universal Credit for allbenefit claimants. The CoalitionGovernment believes that theUniversal Credit will be fairer,more affordable and better attackling poverty and benefitdependency. From a Welfare toWork providers’ perspective, it is

encouraging that the CoalitionGovernment recognises that thereturns from low income jobs areextremely low due to Tax Creditsand Housing Benefits sometimestaking months to be adjusted.Without any doubt, the newsystem will be simpler, but we willnot know until the Universal Creditis introduced whether or not it willbe easier for people tounderstand what theirentitlements are and whether itwill respond quicker toadjustments when people returnto work. �

Works Programmes Manager John Hughes.

James PierceSelf Employed Gardener - doing the business

Please contact:James Pierce on 07428 862 237 ore-mail: j.n.p.@hotmail.co.uk

Although James has been on the Work Programmenow for several months, once in employment,customers receive In Work Support until they havebeen with Agoriad for two years. As part of this InWork Support, to help promote James’s businessfurther, Louise had listed the names of letting agentsand holiday letting companies in the Anglesey andGwynedd area and written a letter explaining aboutJames’s services. A mail merge was then performedand the letter and advertising card were sent out toall the recipients.

James is now happy that his business is up andrunning and knows that should he need any furtherassistance, it’s just a phone call away.

Becoming self-employed can seem an appealingidea but many people are put off because they’re notquite sure how to go about it. Agoriad can providethat help. �

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At the home of theWelsh Princes

At the home of theWelsh Princes

“Sit in or out for a lovely littlevisit to Aberffraw”

2 Victoria Place, Bethesda, Gwynedd LL57 3AGtelephone: 01248 602550

email: karena@agoriad.org.uk

www.cafficoed-y-brenin.org.uk

We enjoy looking after you!

Serving the people of Bethesda for 25 years • FunctionRoom/Conference facilities above the café • Large range of

snacks, meals and cakes to eat in or take away • Buffets in thecafé or delivered to a venue of your choice • Superb Celebration

cakes made on the premises

www.llysllewelyn-tearooms.com

TEA ROOMS

Aberffraw, Ty Croes, Anglesey LL63 5AQTelephone: 01407 840847Email: linda@agoriad.org.uk

Opening hours 9am to 5pm7 days a week

with extended hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in SummerOpening hours : Monday - Friday 9am to 3pm

Lunches • Teas • CakesDrinks (licensed) • Outside CateringGroup Meetings • Shop • Gallery“ ”

It’s a great place to spend a littletime and enjoy coffee, snacks,meals and marvellous cakes.

^

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

I first heard about Agoriad when I was sent a letterfrom Working Links to attend a Welcome Session.My initial thought was ‘not another one’, as myprevious experiences with employment providershave not been good. Having not worked since2005, I’ve been with several of these companieswho have promised training and sent me to variousoffice locations around the Gwynedd area to bepassed from one consultant to another withnothing to gain from any of it.Arriving at Agoriad, I met Gareth Roberts anEmployment Officer, who was holding the WelcomeSession that day. Gareth explained about the WorkProgramme and what Agoriad would do to help usfind work. He explained that workshops would beprovided to enhance our employability skills andfunding would be available such as for CSCS cards,also interview clothing and work uniforms. The waythat Gareth talked to us, I felt assured that his wordswere genuine but only time would tell. FollowingGareth’s introduction, we went into Agoriad’scomputer room to answer questions aboutourselves, our work history and the kind of work wewere looking for. We met Louise Evans,Administration Officer on the Work Programme whohelped us with the My Way Up session as themajority of us had no idea how to use a computer.During my time there, I had been made to feelwelcome, relaxed and respected and left Agoriadfeeling inspired.

During the next appointment, I met with my personalEmployment Officer, Bethan Hughes who discussedmy Into Work Plan that was generated from theanswers I inputted onto the computer in My Way Upat the Welcome Session. Bethan and I agreed that itwould be helpful for me to attend an Application FormWorkshop and an Interview Technique Workshopwhich were promptly arranged for me. I met anotherBethan Hughes who ran the Application FormWorkshop with Iona Jones, both from the TrainingDepartment. I found this workshop very helpful andkept the ideas discussed in mind for futureapplications. The next workshop that I attended wasInterview Techniques which was a one-to-one mockinterview with Karen Jones, also from the Training

Department. Karen asked me questions that I maybe asked at an interview and encouraged me to thinkof alternative ways of wording my responses whichgave the interviewer more information. I reallyappreciated her constructive way of encouraging meto think deeper about my responses and this helpedme so much. I was so grateful to her.

My next few appointments with Bethan entailed jobsearching in Agoriad’s computer room that they callThe Hub. Bethan advised me of the best websites tosearch for jobs and assisted me in my searches.When I felt confident to do this alone, she wouldleave me to search and print off any jobs that I wasinterested in for the Employer Liaison Officers toapproach. Although she said I would be left alone,staff would regularly walk in and ask if I was all right. I never felt that I’d been left alone at any point.

I then met with Paula Kyle from the Employer Liaisonteam. I informed her that I had previously worked asa wheel builder for a bicycle company but I wasunable to find this type of work anywhere. Paulainformed me of a vacancy with Currys electrical storein Bangor working as a Storeman. She informed methat the position would involve unloading the deliverylorries and sorting the equipment into the

appropriate sections. When customers orderedgoods, they would have to be selected from thestock and bought up to the store and large itemstaken to customers’ cars if required. I felt that I hadreceived so much encouragement, that this wassuch a good opportunity, I shouldn’t let it pass by.

Within days, Paula had arranged an interview for meat Currys. Paula met me there and we had a veryinformal chat with the warehouse manager, Andrew.Paula advised me beforehand to take three forms ofI.D. with me and she took a copy of my CV. All ofthese things were needed at the interview and I wasso pleased that Paula had prepared me so well asthis looked really impressive when Andrew asked forthem. We talked more and I remembered some ofthe tips that Karen and I discussed at my InterviewTechniques Workshop and I answered all thequestions thoroughly. I was really happy with theway that the interview went and I felt quite confidentabout it. The job also sounded perfect and Paulaphoned me the next day to say that Andrew at Curryswanted to offer me the position.

I couldn’t believe it. It was the most amazing feelingthat I’d had for years. I only slept for three hours thatnight. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, I just wantedto start the job there and then. Although Curryswould provide protective clothing, I realised that ifAgoriad would kit me out, I would be able to startwork earlier as I would not have to wait for Currys toorder my size in so I contacted Paula to discuss this.She made me an appointment the next day to meetwith Louise Evans who I met at the Welcome Sessionto sort this out for me.

I went to Agoriad the next day and met with Louise.She drove me to Huws Gray, the local buildersmerchants that supply quality work clothing and gotme kitted out for my new job. I left there feeling that Iwould really look the part now at my new job. Thefollowing week I received the phone call I’d beenawaiting from Paula with my start date.

I can’t begin to describe how happy I am and howgrateful I am to all the staff at Agoriad for everythingthat they have done for me. �

Please contact:Tecwyn Roberts at Agoriad on (01248) 361 392 or e-mail: tecwyn.roberts@agoriad.org.uk

A Journey into employment, with new confidence and new skillsAn open letter to Agoriad from Paul Davies, a Works Programme Client

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

We’re with you all theway in Work SupportThose hardest-to-help or who have been out of work for a long timemay require extended periods of In Work Support. The WorkProgramme participants are able to access this special service for upto 2 years. Agoriad realises the importance of effective emphasis onthe provision of IWS to ensure sustainability of employment and toencourage good working partnerships between local employers thatgive our Work Programme participants a chance when they haverecruitment opportunities.

IWS involves keeping in contact on a weekly basis during the initial 9weeks of employment. Regular contact with employers and participantsis usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis, either by telephone or in face-to-face meetings. This then moves onto monthly contact whenappropriate. Keeping in touch with the employer and candidate ensuresany issues which may arise are dealt with sensitively and positively. IWSis a service to assist both parties in ensuring successful transition intoemployment, to enhance performance of new recruits, and to initiateremedial action if necessary to assist with sustainability of employment.

Once we have helped our customers to find a suitable job we continueto support them to ensure they are happy in their new role. Agoriadoffers a range of In Work Support assistance which includes everythingfrom mentoring to sourcing further in-work training if our customerwishes to continue gaining further skills and qualification.

CoursesOur services and coursesoffer employers andprospective employeesunique choices acrossAnglesey and North Wales.

Work ProgrammeA recruitment service that is apersonalised welfare to workstructure helping the unemployedand the employer to fill localvacancies in the work place.

WalkwaysA service that helps people withsevere learning disabilities, whooften have a physical disability,sensory impairment, a mentalhealth problem, challengingbehaviours, medical conditionand/or autism.

Essential Skills WalesFocuses on the skills required forsuccess in all aspects ofeducation, training, work and lifein general.

Please contact:Paula Kyle at Agoriad on (01248) 361 392 or e-mail: paula.kyle@agoriad.org.uk

In Work Support (IWS) is avital aspect of the WorkProgramme, especially

with the increasingemphasis on sustainingemployment, not just

gaining it. The need isrecognised to end the

“revolving door” scenariothat often occurs with the

long term unemployed andthe benefit trap they canoften find themselves in.IWS is a special service

that is tailored to theindividual and their

employer’s requirements.

Starting a new job can be a nerve-racking experience, so our customershave a dedicated named IWS officer who they are introduced to.Agoriad offers a seven days a week IWS telephone helpline number thatcustomers on the Work Programme can call between 8am and10.00pm. Any concerns can be heard, and advice, support and sign-posting given, mediation and financial assistance can be providedas the need arises.

The first nine weeks in a new job can be daunting as you adapt to anew position and way of life. For the long term unemployed, makingthe transition from coming off benefits into employment can be quite achallenge. As part of our IWS we are here to give you step-by-stephelp so the Work Programme participant can be successful in theirnew role. We assist with financial help during the first month, adviceand assistance in applying for relevant in work benefits, support withresolving and work related issues, travel, mediation with employers,general support and advice, advocacy and sign posting.

We’ll stay in touch with customers for up to two years, so they feelconfident that they have the support required to be able to stay in workand plan for the future. When they feel ready to progress with theircareer and take on further training through IWS we are able to be thereto guide them through their options.

IWS officers help to keep the customers CV up to date so if for anyreason their job does not work out, we are ready and able to doeverything we can to help them secure alternative employment as soonas possible.

IWS is there to help if a customer’s job is at risk or they lose their job.There are lots of reasons why a job might not work out but IWSencourages sustainability of employment and not a return to benefits.Agoriad offers a flexi desk service so if Work Programme customers arenot happy in their current position we are there to assist them, whilstthey remain in post, to find them a more suitable position. �

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There’s so much to find out on our website

Check out all the

courses and the ways

we can help

www.agoriad.org.uk

As part of our Walkways project, Agoriad hasbeen working closely with pupils from YsgolSyr Thomas Jones, Amlwch, supporting themto take their first steps towards employment.A small group of pupils was selected to attend a‘Work Awareness’ training programme thatintroduced them to important aspects of employmentsuch as the rules of the workplace, health and safetyand essential interview techniques. After completingthe training module, each pupil then took part intwenty hours of work experience with localbusinesses. These included: a florist, a body buildinggym and a mechanic’s workshop to name but three.

Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, particularly Ms Lia Jones,the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator for theschool, was very enthusiastic and extremelysupportive of the Walkways project from the startand throughout our time working with the school;special efforts were made to ensure that allarrangements were taken care of.

As part of the work experience aspect, Agoriadrecruited peer mentors from the school’s Sixth form tosupport each participant within their placement. Theirrole was to shadow the pupil during their placementand assist them in learning their work duties.

All mentors studied and achieved an ASDAN awardin Peer Mentoring. The course covered key topicssuch as confidentiality and possible in workscenarios. As an additional learning experience we

also organised for Jan from ‘Project Lydia’ to provide training in bodylanguage and non-verbal communication.

The local businesses in Amlwch were all extremely supportive of theprogramme and keen to help the young people gain new skills andexperiences. As a result of their support, the pupils and the peermentors all thoroughly enjoyed their work placements. The group werealso taken out for a day of ‘worksite visits’ which involved going to seeeach other’s placements. Each pupil had the responsibility ofintroducing, explaining and demonstrating their duties to the others.

As part of the course, pupils also visited a number of local serviceproviders including Jobstart, a training and employment provider, whogave advice on self-employment and the help available for individualswishing to start their own business, and The Volunteer Bureaux whereRob Griffiths spoke about the benefits of volunteering and the diversevolunteering opportunities available in the local area.

The feedback received from all involved has been extremely positive.

The employers who gave their valuable time to the project have allexpressed interest in working with future participants; the parents werepositive and supportive throughout and gave positive constructivefeedback. Comments included:

“I think... (he) now has a better understanding of what an employermight be looking for ...and how best to put himself forward.”

“It has given him more confidence.”

Finally Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones. The Peer mentoring scheme was agreat success and as the school had been planning their own Sixth formmentoring scheme for the whole school they asked Agoriad to assist inmaking this a reality. Agoriad provided peer mentor training for the sixthformers who wanted to volunteer with this service. Now all the pupilshave a place where they can go for some advice or just a friendly chat. �

Please contact:Carol Owen at Agoriad on (01248) 361 392 or e-mail: carol@agoriad.org.uk or www.walkways.eu

Interreg Project - PEER

Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch

Natasha and her beautiful bouquet, made with her own fair handsat her work placement in the florist.

Alan getting on very well with his peer mentor, Leon on his workplacement in Rowlands garage.

Danny gets busy on his placement in the Quays Café.

Porth Penrhyn, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HNTel/Ffôn:+44 (0)1248 361 392

Fax/Ffacs:+44 (0)1248 372 050Email/E-bost: info@agoriad.org.uk

• Registered in England and Wales Wedi’i gofrestru yng Nghymru a Lloegr • Registered No. Rhif Cofrestredig 2700109• Registered Office Swyddfa Gofrestredig Porth Penrhyn, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HN • Charity No. Rhif Elusennau 1010165

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www.agoriad.org.uk

Earlier this year Walkways JobCoach, Kath Griffiths, wasaccepted onto the LeonardoMobility Programme and giventhe opportunity to expand onand share her experience ofworking with young people byvolunteering in anotherEuropean country. Here, shegives an insight into what shegained from the opportunity...During the first fortnight of Aprilthis year I completed a two weekwork placement in the city ofDebrecen, Hungary, where Iplanned and delivered activities foryoung people.

I visited four different schools - aChurch-run special school, a State-run special school and twomainstream high schools. I learnedabout a pedagogical approachcalled Conductive Education andobserved it being put into practice.I also observed the use of a broadrange of resources, from expensiveelectronic equipment to homemadetoys and games. I learnedtraditional Hungarian songs and

An eye-opening workplacement in Hungaryfolk dances and delivered lessonsabout cultural stereotyping.

I visited a day centre for disabledadults, where the activities on offerwere very similar to those withwhich I am familiar from myexperiences at home. Again, therewas singing and dancing and Itaught a group some Englishlanguage songs. I also assisted ina pottery class, although I’m notsure how much use I was!

In the local youth club I practised

my limited Hungarian andorganised activities whichtranscended the language barrier,for example, art, craft, games andsports. I took a similar approachwhen I visited the city’s refugeecamp - I arranged a footballtournament and learned to cooktraditional dishes from the homecountries of the camp’s residents.

This was an exciting adventure forme, but it has also broadened myhorizons and given me a differentperspective on my life and work. �

Please contact:Karen Jones at Agoriad on (01248) 361 392 or e-mail: karen@agoriad.org.uk