Coming together as one with partners, and empowering communities to make a positive impact in people’s lives is a vision we share and made a reality with Somerset Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
In 2021 we collaborated with the then South Somerset District Council, and the DWP, to launch the Opportunities Hub project; creating three hubs, in three different areas that offer training and employment opportunities for locals, including Abri customers, in Yeovil, Wincanton, and Chard.
From the early stages of planning the project, our key objective was to positively influence the career outcome and opportunities in the areas, so that people could work, live and thrive in their community.
Making equal opportunities a reality for people of all walks of life is important to Abri and to achieve this, the hubs are located in places easily accessible to all members of the public. Before the Chard hub opened, people would have to travel to Yeovil or Taunton to fulfil their DWP claimant commitments. But now the hub serves as their one-stop shop where they can attend claimant appointments and access employment support, all at the same time.
Supporting people back onto their feet
Through our partnership, we’ve successfully been able to support more than 800 people, with training, skill enhancement, work experience, education, volunteering opportunities or paid work.
Truth be told, social inequalities sadly still exist, and many are likely to feel vulnerable as our economic landscape still recovers from the global pandemic and we continue to navigate the cost-of-living crisis. For example, in Yeovil and Chard, from Abri’s own research, we know that:
- 19% of people’s employment status has directly been impacted by the lockdowns
- 45% of people are struggling with their finances
It’s safe to say that the last few years have been challenging for many to simply make ends meet. This is what drove us to create these hubs in our communities – the support they need to kickstart their journey to finding meaningful work and financial independence.
One customer who was referred to the hub after losing his job received support on updating his CV, searching and applying for a new job, as well as pointers on his interview techniques. This support boosted his confidence which resulted in him securing two job offers across a two-week period.
We’re working with our partners to help minimise the inequality gap and make job opportunities more accessible by providing support to locals on their own doorstep. People shouldn’t have to travel far and wide to receive assistance, especially when they aren’t in a financial position to do so.
Setting the wheels in motion
The creation of the hubs presented a chance to engage with a large number of employers and support services across Somerset, building a support network of more than 60 organisations. Key local partnerships include our work with the NHS for their South West Adult Placement (SWAP)scheme – a programme that increases recruitment into the health and social care sector.
When it came to launching the hubs, it was all hands-on deck to make sure we got it right. It was important that the hubs put people and their diverse needs first, this way a real difference would be made to their lives. Abri delivered training to staff across all three venues, outlining how the hubs would work – so that all customers would receive a good and consistent service level whenever or wherever they dropped in.
Our work is far from complete Abri continues its commitment to empowering communities, improving health and wellbeing, and providing employment opportunities where it’s needed the most. Success looks different to each person you ask but for us, success means working with others to provide the necessary life-changing resources that meet a variety of needs in an accessible way. Partnership working is key to delivering projects like this; by working together we’re able to better equip people in our neighbourhoods with the right tools to reach their full potential and be successful in their future.
To find out more about the ongoing support we offer, please contact Nicky Boyd.
Martin Clayton, Employment Area Manager.