Please see below an updated version of the press release issued yesterday. If you have published online, would you kindly update as necessary.

Ref:PRSH159
Date: 14^thFebruary 2017 

New Year boost for jobseekers in Stafford

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Jobseekers in Stafford and surrounding areas are being offered extra help in their New Year efforts to find work, thanks to Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH).

The ‘Job Club' initiative has the support of Staffordshire County Council which is providing library space free of charge, giving jobseekers access to computers and IT support.

Operating in three locations across the town it allows convenient access to as many local people as possible.

Laura MacPhee, Customer Engagement Advisor at SARH said: "The three locations mean that people can easily access the facilities using local transport networks.

"It can be daunting looking for a job and we are here to support and encourage people of all ages and abilities to develop their confidence in applying for a job and helping them to find suitable vacancies. As well as assisting people to fill out application forms, we can help them manage other issues that may hinder them in finding work. "

The ‘Job Club' is open to anyone who wishes to drop in on Mondays at Stafford Library between 10am-12pm, Tuesdays at Holmcroft Library between 2pm-4pm and Thursdays at Rising Brook Library between 10am-12pm and is completely free of charge. Community volunteers are on hand to help people with job searches, CV writing and submitting job applications.

Lorraine Antrobus, attendee of the Job Club, commented: "I have been attending the Job Club for a while now, it has really helped me build my confidence and apply for positions I wouldn't have considered before.

"As well as improving my reading, writing and IT skills, the ongoing support from SARH also gave me the opportunity to further my skills with aCIEH Level 2 qualification in First Aid."

The Monday morning Job Club at Stafford Library is also run in partnership with Support Staffordshire and, as at Rising Brook and Holmcroft, anyone can attend by simply dropping in to a convenient session.

Caption:From left to right: Customer Engagement Advisor, Laura MacPhee; Patricia Andrews, Librarian at Holmcroft Library; Job Clubs attendees: Lorraine Antrobus; Jane Meyrick, (Community Volunteer); Michael Addison; Adrian Emery and Hilary Swift.

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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