Maidstone resident finds employment thanks to local organisations
A Maidstone job-seeker has found employment again after two Kent housing providers and the Maidstone Job Centre joined forces.
“I first met our Golding Homes resident in February at our offices in Maidstone,” said Jenny Fairweather, Employment Caseworker at housing provider Golding Homes. “He had been unemployed after caring for a relative but was keen to start looking for work again.
“Having previously worked in the printing business, but following the decline of the industry, he needed some extra support to look for alternative positions. We worked together on building up his CV and looked at various options for him to move into an industry that had a future.”
Following the Coronavirus lockdown, our resident was struggling to continue with his job-search after his local library was forced to close.
“I have been job hunting for a while and used to visit my local library to access their free internet,” said the resident. “However following lockdown and the library temporarily closing my job hunting was put on hold.”
“I knew that accessing the internet was difficult for him, so with the help of my colleague, Penny Lowe, Employment Advisor, we supported him in applying for a Golding Homes’ Personal Development Grant,” said Jenny. “His application was successful, and the money was used to purchase a data sim card and mobile Wi-Fi for his tablet, meaning he could continue job searching in his own home.”
The Maidstone resident was also in contact with Julie at Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, who also operates from the Community Hub in The Mall. Maidstone Job Centre contacted Julie to let her know there was an opportunity for a week’s work trial at a local Wickes DIY store which our job-seeker was delighted to get involved in.
“Our resident started his week’s trial on Monday 25 May, but before the week was out his Managers were so impressed with his work, they offered him a permanent part-time job,” said Jenny. “Thanks to our close partnerships with Clarion Housing and the local Job Centre we have been able to work together to support him to find employment. I am so pleased that he now has a permanent job and wish him all the best for the future.”
On starting his new job Golding Homes’ resident said, “I can’t thank you all enough for the support you have given me, you have gone the extra mile for me, helping me when I most needed it. I hope to have a long career ahead of me at Wickes DIY.”
Kent-based housing providers, Golding Homes, and West Kent Housing Association work with Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group to provide valuable employment support for residents from the Community Hub in The Mall, Maidstone. Following the shopping centre’s temporary closure, the group is providing their service virtually, continuing to offer support to those who need it.
If you are looking for employment support, contact our Workwise team by emailing workwise@goldinghomes.org.uk or calling 0300 777 2600.