Work experience project underway at Colour Your Garden.
Mental health charity, Claro Enterprises, has successfully attained funding from the European Union’s European Social Fund for a 12-week work experience programme.
The fund is designed to support employment in the member states of the European Union as well as promoting economic and social cohesion. Claro Enterprises ‘Next Steps’ project fulfils these objectives: the scheme is designed to offer local residents living with mental health conditions the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and confidence in the workplace.
Founder of this new programme, Owen Jones, General Manager of Claro Enterprises said:
We were thrilled to be granted funding from the EU and would now like to kindly invite businesses such as florists, bakeries, garden centres, retail shops and charity shops to take part in the project.
On the placements, each participant will be accompanied by a support worker who will work alongside them to assist with learning new tasks, building work relationships and managing time-keeping. As well as providing funding for specialist support workers, all lunch and travel expenses will be covered by the EU fund.
Owen said:
The placements are for people who have a long term aim of working or volunteering but don’t have the confidence to make the first step into the workplace without support.
For some, it may build confidence to a point where they are ready to start looking for employment, for others it may identify the sort of work they enjoy, the skills they need to develop further or the need for further confidence building.
Mental health programmes such as Claro Enterprise’s ‘Next Steps’ is the perfect opportunity for local business owners and employees to fulfil their corporate social responsibility and to help make a positive difference within the community.
The work experience scheme has already proven to be a resounding success when trialled earlier this year at Colour Your Garden, a horticultural merchants in Thirsk.
Keith, who took part in the scheme said:
I have always had an interest in gardening and growing things so it was great to bring these skills to the workplace. I was unsure at first, but everyone at Colour Your Garden were incredibly supportive and encouraging which gave me a lot of confidence in the work I was doing.
A spokesperson from Colour Your Garden said:
It was a real pleasure to work with Keith. He fit in really well with the rest of the team and proved to be naturally green fingered! I would strongly recommend businesses to get involved in the ‘Next Steps’ work experience programme. It’s a great way to engage with and help support people living with mental health conditions – in fact, we’ve already signed up to take on another placement.
If you work for or run a business which you think could offer a ‘Next Steps’ work experience placement, please do get in touch with Owen Jones, General Manager of Claro Enterprises on 01423 885 879 or email owen@claroenterprises.co.uk
Claro Enterprises produce craft MDF blanks, signage and lettering and also provide a light assembly outwork service for local Yorkshire manufacturers. They are always eager to talk to local organisations who may be looking at outsourcing work. www.claroenterprises.co.uk
