FST Sheffield
About FST Sheffield
The Sheffield project is housed in a renovated building on London Road. The three-story building includes meeting rooms for hire, a workshop, office space and reception area.
The Early Days
FST Sheffield was set up in August 1996, its aim being to provide genuine work experience and opportunities to people disenfranchised from the labour market by mental health problems.
Our original premises were on Eyre Street and local artist Joe Scarborough officially opened these in October 1996.
In the intervening years, FST Sheffield has developed the skills and self-confidence of its volunteers through real work carried out at commercial rates.
Today
People access the Project from all areas of the city and referrals have been made by a variety of statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
A frequent comment made by members of the workforce is that working at FST does not carry the stigma they say can be associated with other, more mainstream mental health services, an important factor given the Project's aims of building confidence and restoring self-belief.
People leave FST Sheffield with a work history, experience and references that they take onto further employment.
Staffing
In addition to the Project Manager we employ two salaried Section Managers and an Employment Development worker (two of whom were previously unsalaried members of the workforce). Over the years, several people have been given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities by becoming volunteer Section Managers.
FSTinfo Directory
FST Sheffield runs a public access directory of Mental Health services that is accessible to people with mental health problems, carers and health professionals. Our custom designed database contains information on over 350 organisations and services providing comprehensive entries and details of local and national self-help and support groups, NHS and Social Services, clinics, therapists, help lines and accommodation, etc.
Trading activity
FST Sheffield offers real work experience in a number of areas including:
• Painting and decorating
• Grounds maintenance and gardening
• Contract cleaning
• Internal and external odd jobs
• Office administration, database maintenance and reception work
Contact us
For more information and for referrals, please contact:
Project Manager : Karl Newell
Section Managers: Mick Brunt & Mark Turner