Ref: PRSH91 Date: January 18, 2016

Mayor launches new partnership providing boost for jobseekers

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Jobseekers in Stafford and surrounding areas are being offered even more help in their efforts to find work thanks to a new partnership between Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) and Support Staffordshire.

The Mayor of Stafford Borough, Cllr Peter Jones, was amongst the first to offer his support for the new initiative when he helped to launch the ‘Work Club' at Stafford Library.

The new initiative also has the support of Staffordshire County Council, which is providing Library space free of charge to the club where jobseekers have access to computers and other IT support to help them in their search for employment.

Alison Poole, SARH Community Involvement Officer, explained: "By joining forces with Support Staffordshire we can deliver more help and support at a central location in the heart of the town.

"Anyone can drop in on Mondays between 10.00am and 12.00 noon; they don't need to make an appointment, and the service is completely free. A number of community volunteers are on hand to help people with job searches, CV writing and submitting online job applications."

Whilst the Monday sessions are now up and running at Stafford Library, similar Clubs are planned across the town. From the beginning of February there will be Work Clubs at Holmcroft Library every Tuesday between 2.00pm and 4.00pm, and at Rising Brook Library on Thursdays between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.

Support Staffordshire has run similar Clubs across Staffordshire for many years, and can also help people improve their IT skills and access training and volunteering opportunities to further boost their chances of landing a job.

Rob Arnold, Employability Officer at Support Staffordshire, said: "It can be tough finding employment but we're here to help.

"We're delighted to be working with SARH on this exciting new Work Club, and building on the good work that's already been done in Stafford to help people of all ages to find work.

"As well as assisting people to tackle application forms and finding vacancies using the internet, we can provide advice and information to help them manage other issues that may hinder them in finding a job."

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Editor's Notes

Media contact:

Martin Farrow

CHANGEWORKS Communications
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588

m: +44 (0)7771 970025

e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager

t:01785 216793 (Direct) 

m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  

e: mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk