VIBRANT SHEFFIELD: Helpers on the road back into employment

One had been made redundant after 30 years in the steel industry, others had suffered ill-health but what united all six Our Club members who helped at the Live Lab event was their journey back into employment.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th May 2016, 12:41 BST

Updated 25th May 2016, 12:43 BST

They were with an employability coaching company which was invited to send a team contacting Grant Thornton.

Paul Dowd, Our Club head of community programmes, said the helpers had all been out of work for more than six months and their confidence had been at rock bottom.

They had been through two weeks of activities aimed at boosting self-esteem before attending the event, as part of four weeks’ work experience.

He added: “It’s been hugely valuable for them, it gave them a chance to test new-found self-belief. It’s gone brilliantly well, from the feedback we’ve had.”

Our Club is funded by Sheffield City Council and employers including Morrisons and William Hill.

Some 450 people have been through 17 programmes nationally, with 80 per cent finding work.