Ready for Work Programme

Manchester Working is a corporate partner of Business in the Community (BITC) to support their many programmes to tackle homelessness.  BITC is a Prince’s Trust Charity organisation.

One such programme is called ‘Ready for Work’ where people on the programme are supported through activities designed to increase employability skills. 

Homelessness typically results from a series of unfortunate events.  It is very difficult to define homelessness because it is often a secondary issue that is the result of other social welfare issues such as financial crisis, personal/relationship, health problems, and loss of accommodation or life changes.

Homeless people may lack recent work experience / gaps in employment, have a low skills base, suffer from low self confidence and impaired motivation.  Also, lack of up to date CV giving information about their employment history with suitable references can further stop a person from gaining employment.

To support the ‘Ready for Work’ programme Manchester Working  provides BITC with the support of our own employees who are trained job coaches, interview practice and two week work placements.

Below is an article written by John Coffey who enjoyed a fantastic placement with us in February this year.

John’s Story

“This is an insight of my experience and how I became involved to be in the working environment of Manchester Working in February 2009.”

“Community and Communication Liaison Officer Jason Easy who is based at Universal Square in Manchester first approached me for the work placement. The aim of the placement is to give me work experience in the community and a change in direction for future employment. The organisation that I was first approached by was Business in the Community work managers Chris Gopal, of who Manchester Working is one of their partners. Over the next 10 days I will be thrown in at the deep end and I will be shown every aspect of each busy department, and learn about every piece of office equipment by various members of staff.”

“On my first day I was greeted by Office Manager Elaine Bardsley who had the task of explaining to me the reception area and how to operate the many pieces of office equipment. This is the first time that I have had to experience working in a busy office amongst all the staff have been friendly and made me feel very welcome, I feel like part of the family already and it’s only been day one.”

“My next day I had the pleasure of meeting the very patient Jim Higgins of customer services, and he explained how to put files in to alphabetical order and also files in to numerical order.                                           “

“The last few days have been very beneficial to me and very impressed with the way everybody has taken timeout to show me all the aspects of this office, without affecting how this place is run like a fine tuned engine. I hope in the future that I end up working in office like this, as Manchester Working have just been great to me and have given me a good insight of the experience of working in a busy office environment.”

“I would like to thank all the staff at Manchester Working for all your cooperation, patience and input on my work placement, and wish you all the best for the future.”   

John.P.Coffey

Manchester Working  is looking forward to providing continual support