Ref: PRSH71
Date:8^thSeptember 2015

Career advice and breakfast

Jobseekers in Stafford are being invited to sit down over breakfast for an informal chat about their career options.

Organised by a leading local provider of social and affordable housing, Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH), the free ‘Working Breakfast' is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their chances of landing a job, whether they have just left education, returning to work after starting a family or are long-term unemployed.

Set to take place on Wednesday, September 16 at SARH Job Club in the Community Resource Centre in Greyfriars, Stafford, the event will also help launch a wider initiative aimed at helping people back into work or finding their first job.

Alison Poole, Community Involvement Officer at SARH, explained: "The Branching Out scheme is being run in partnership with Support Staffordshire and the Building Stafford and Surrounds Healthy Future partnership and looks to equip people with the skills they need to find work.

"Participants will be matched with a trained volunteer ‘work buddy' who will offer support on a one-to-one basis at a time and venue convenient to them. Workshops will also help participants develop IT skills for job searching, identify skills to meet job specifications, build CVs whilst identifying suitable training and volunteering opportunities."

The initiative builds on the success of the SARH Job Clubwhich meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-12pm at SARH Community Resource Centre, Greyfriars. The free to attend sessions help people develop IT skills for job searching including setting up an email account with trained staff and volunteers on hand to give one-to-one help and support.

Anyone who can't get along to the breakfast on September 16 to find out more about the new initiative can get a taste of what's on offer when members of the ‘Branching Out' Team take to the road next week.

Their mobile office will be stationed in Market Square, Stafford on Thursday, September 10, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Karen Armitage, SARH Chief Executive, added: "This is a fantastic scheme offering people practical help and support when it comes to finding work, fulfilling their potential and becoming the best they can be!"

Further information about both events, and details about other Branching Out activities across the area are available by telephoning Alison Poole, SARH Community Involvement Officer on 01785 216675, emailingalison.poole@sarh.co.ukor visiting www.sarh.co.uk/branchingout

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Editor's Notes

About Stafford and Rural Homes:

Stafford and Rural Homes is a Times Top 100 'Not for Profit' organisation and registered charity formed in 2006. We own and manage over 6,000 homes across Stafford and the surrounding area as well as delivering a number of local Independent Living schemes. Operating as a business, profits are used to fund our social housing and community schemes.  We also work in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities.  

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