If you’ve ever been out of work you’ll know- it’s tough out there- and it’s getting tougher. It can happen to any of us, but we’ll all remember that person who gave us a chance or a helping hand to get back on our feet.
Employers play a key role, read on to find out how and why Liverpool One choose to work with TLC.
We’d like to ask any employers who may read this to take a leaf out of Liverpool One’s book, to reflect on the way they support their local community and how the recruitment process may be unintentionally locking people out of job opportunities. If you’d like to know more…. WE CAN HELP!
Sharon Lane our Program Manager tells us more:
If you’re seeking a varied and exciting life, become a Program Manager for Transform Lives Company! Don’t let the title ‘Program Manager’ fool you, this is not a corporate, stiff, boring role. This is a job that is full of joyful, heart-warming, inspirational, educational and transforming experiences. It’s a job, well not even a job, more of a journey, where I’m able to work with an incredible team to literally transform the lives of people in Liverpool.
Transforming lives, sounds like such a cliché but this is something that I witness in my role, delivering the GiveGetGo Program, every day. I support people on their, sometimes difficult, journey to find a job but with a focus on building confidence and self-esteem. This means that rather than the usual ‘Learn How to Write a Powerful CV!’, or ‘Increase Your Employability Skills!’ program, we couple it with encouraging people to harness their own power. Again, this sounds like a cliché but when you see this happening it becomes less of a ‘cliché’ and more of a truth!
It may help if I give you an example of one of the things we do, just so you can understand how this approach works on the ground and more importantly it helps people towards positive change. The GiveGetGo Program has several partners who generously give their time to support our participants and I would like to introduce you to Liverpool One.
I have worked with Lauren, Marta and many other helpful people at Liverpool One who give their time to our groups. This includes, a Hidden Careers Session, Mock Interviews and Work Experience/Shadowing. Oh no, this all sounds so boring again, but I can promise you that it’s not!
The Hidden Careers Session gives our participants a chance to find out about how Liverpool One operate as an employer and more importantly how they recruit. Lauren and Marta welcome us into the space with smiles and a lovely selection of teas and coffees, yes plural! The participants take part in a group exercise which is very similar to a group interview and work together at making decisions, negotiating, communicating and presenting. This usually creates some funny dynamics and presentations, with one group discussing leaving the captain of the ship behind on a desert island because one of his luggage items was a hip flask of brandy!
Moving on from laughter we always find that the Mock Interviews sessions often create a lot of emotions. The GiveGetGo participants always feel nervous, scared and excited. To be honest the Liverpool One employees who volunteer, pretty much feel the same! The reasons why these sessions are so emotional is because sometimes this is the first time some of the group have ever had an interview and for others it’s a massive barrier that’s stopping them from getting a job. These fears are blown out of proportion in their minds and is only tackled due to the experience of a mock interview, in a safe and supportive environment. Lauren asks for volunteers from the whole of Liverpool One and in the last 12 months, due to the positive experience that they’ve had, the numbers have doubled. They are always impressed by the group and saddened that they have previously been locked out of the job market, which means they’re happy to accommodate some Work Experience/Shadowing. This has happened recently in the Building Facilities Department, thanks to Kev, who offered this chance to Daniel. This was a great opportunity and positive experience, which helped to build his confidence, skills and knowledge and his only complaint was the cold!
When I talk to the participants of GiveGetGo they’re always happy about the experience to meet and get some feedback from an employer, such as Liverpool One.
‘I don’t feel as scared now about doing an interview.’ Bell.
‘I don’t like doing presentations but working with the group helped.’ Joanna.
‘My first time having mango tea!’ Lorraine.
‘I’ve done a group interview before but only just found out what it’s for.’ Al Sadiq.
‘I thought I was okay with interviews but getting feedback has helped’ Karen.
Lauren and I often catch up about how the process is working and she shares her colleague’s comments,
‘It’s such a pleasure to volunteer for TLC’ Liz
‘I’ve learned a lot from meeting some of your guys and how employers could be more inclusive with recruitment and I want to give someone a chance to work with me for the day’ Kev
‘We have Friday 15, which is sharing your thoughts or experiences at a team meeting, and I’ll definitely be talking about GiveGetGo’, Lee
‘It’s nice to see how they have grown from meeting them on the Hidden Careers Day to now’ Lauren
I’d like to finish with thanking all the GiveGetGoer’s who work hard to learn and grow and Liverpool One for taking responsibility as an employer to work with us, as we support those in the Liverpool community looking for positive change.
Follow us: @transformliveco
Come and see us- call Sophie: 077480 817260