FST Sheffield News Issue 01:
Employment overcoming disadvantage – big changes happening locally
- New opportunities for real work experience
- Real work brings real gain
- Time for coffee on London Road!
- Jenny: working again after 10 years
- Plus:
Who is eligible? | Is FST only for those interested in catering? | Does working at FST affect benefits? | FST supporters | Subscribe/unsubscribe
Here is the first issue of our monthly e-newletter aimed at keeping our colleagues across the city informed of the changes we’re making and the opportunities on offer for your clients.
We are keen to work with those of you in the statutory sector and voluntary, community and faith sector to renew or set up referral routes.
If you are interested in knowing more, please call us on 0114 281 2981 or visit the FST Sheffield web page
New opportunities for real work experience
FST has been working in Sheffield for over 12 years and in that time a great number of people have benefited from their experience with us. Working nationally and locally, FST provides real work and employment opportunities for people normally excluded from ordinary working life because of mental and physical health problems and other disadvantages.
A recent, in-depth review of the service provided in Sheffield has led to significant changes to the work opportunities to ensure we continue to help bring out people’s potential and significantly improve their employability.
Top
Real work brings real gain
FST has always operated as a social enterprise; in the past you may have known us for providing several services including garden maintenance and decorating. Our review showed us that we needed to replace these businesses with one that will allow us to build the quality of our work placements and which will be commercially sustainable.
Top
Time for coffee on London Road!
Very soon our new business, SMaRT Venue Coffee Shop, will open on London Road offering you good coffee (and tea and smoothies!) in a contemporary setting. You’ll be able to eat in or take away and from the outset we’ll use fair trade products and prepare fresh food on the premises.
Why a coffee shop? We identified this venture because it allows us to offer a variety of distinct work areas and ensure that a placement with us is suitably challenging in terms of productivity, sales, quality and customer service. Within the next couple of months, and then ongoing, we’ll be providing work placements in the following areas: food preparation; barista; customer service; cleaning; and administration. Additionally, we can provide access to associated qualifications
Additionally, we can provide access to associated qualifications. In contributing to the success of SMaRT Venue, workforce members will have developed themselves and proved they are ready for work.
Within the next couple of months, and then ongoing, we’ll be looking to recruit people to fill positions in these areas:
• Food Preparation • Barista • Customer Service • Cleaning • Administration
To enquire about a work placement with FST, contact Faye our Employment Manager or Karl on 0114 281 2981.
I’ll give you more information in my next email.
Read more about FST’s philosophy and approach
Jenny: working again after 10 years
At 47, FST workforce member Jenny has found a job after a decade away from the workplace due to ill health. With 6 months as an Administrator at FST under her belt, Jenny successfully applied for part-time work as a Clerical Assistant with a government department in central Sheffield. Jenny found working at FST an essential step to open employment and she had this to say about her experience:
“Before FST I was struggling to get job interviews because of the long gap in my work history. Now it is easier and I feel more confident. I’ve had the chance to update my skills and meet new people in a safe environment. I feel relevant again.”
Top
Follow up Information
How do I refer clients to FST?
Starting work experience at FST is an easy process – simply phone Faye or Karl on 0114 281 2981 to make an appointment for your client to visit us. More about referrals
Who is eligible?
These are voluntary placements available to people wanting to overcome barriers to work caused by ill-health. We can offer a placement for up to a year along with support for the role and in finding work.
Is FST only for those interested in catering?
No. Although we’ll train people so that they could apply for catering jobs, we want them to develop and demonstrate the transferable skills that can be used in any job. They will also be gaining recent work history and a work-based reference. Don’t forget we have some non-catering placements available too.
More about skills and qualifications
Does working at FST affect benefits?
No – voluntary work experience at FST does not affect the benefits an individual receives and we reimburse travel costs. We advise that people tell their Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisor that they are undertaking voluntary work experience.
Supporters
FST thanks NHS Sheffield for its generous and continuing support. We are also grateful for support from Sheffield City Council.
Subscribe/unsubscribe
If you want us to stop sending you this eNewsletter, simply reply to this email letting us know.
If you have colleagues who would find this eNewsletter useful, please ask them to
email Karl Newell and we’ll add them to our mailing list.