Information for Tenants & Service Users

Employment

PRHA understands that many of our service users want to work. We realise that whilst many are capable of entering and sustaining employment already, others face barriers to starting work. These may include having a criminal record or a history of substance misuse, lacking confidence or motivation.

PRHA is committed to assisting service users into employment. We are aiming to provide accessible routes back into work through traineeships and volunteering.

Traineeships

PRHA has a number of traineeship opportunities for our service users. Traineeships give you the opportunity to learn about a job whilst doing it.

PRHA has developed the following traineeship and employment opportunities:

Assistant Project Officer

We have created a pathway to assist service users into paid support work. The Assistant Project Officer posts are an entry-level post for service users who want to move into support work. This post will provide service users with 6 months of essential experience & training required to be a Project Officer.

On successful completion of the traineeship, the service user will be fast-tracked into the next available suitable Project Officer post.

Check 'The Sky's the Limit' notice-boards for opportunities to apply for Project Officer roles.

Learning Development Volunteers

PRHA has two Learning Development Volunteer roles. This provides opportunities for two service users to learn about supporting others to access Education, Training & Employment opportunities. We also promoting other traineeships opportunities in PRHA in areas such as maintenance and administration.

Toolkit

PRHA has developed a toolkit to help service users overcome barriers to employment. The toolkit and associated training programme were funded by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. In 2009, approximately 80 staff and service users across the borough received training through the toolkit programme.

Volunteering

How could volunteering help me find employment?

Volunteering has many benefits. It can provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and can bridge the gap between unemployment and paid employment.

Here are some of the benefits of volunteering:

An opportunity to develop your skills and gain experience
It provides you with training
You can build your confidence and self-esteem

It can create a routine and get you out of your home

A chance to meet new people and have fun

It's a chance to give something back and gives you a sense of achievement
It provides you with a reference when going for paid employment.

What to expect as a volunteer

Organisations manage volunteers in different ways. As a volunteer with PRHA, we will provide you with the following:

A Role Description - detailing the duties and tasks you are required to do
A Training Plan - detailing the training that you will be provided with to enable you to carry out your role
A safe environment to work
Support and supervision
Insurance cover
Reimbursement of travel and a contribution towards lunch costs.

What are the effects of volunteering on your benefits?

If you are on JSA you can do as much volunteering as you like as long as:

You are still looking for paid employment
You do not receive any payment. (At some organisations you can receive money to cover your travel and lunch. This does not count as pay because it is a reimbursement of money that you have already spent)
You are still available to attend a interview within 48 hours notice and start work within 1 week
You inform the Job Centre Plus that you are doing volunteering.

If you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax these should not be affected as long as you do not receive any money other than reimbursement of expenses (usually travel and lunch costs).

If you are confused or being told different things about volunteering you can get information on volunteering from the following sources:

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/documents/pflwk1v2.pdf

Or you can get a leaflet specifically about JSA and volunteering called 'Volunteering while unemployed helps others and can help you'. You can get this leaflet from your local Job Centre Plus or by visiting the Volunteering England website at:

www.volunteering.org.uk/centre/JSAL7.pdf

Informal volunteering opportunities

PRHA has a number of volunteering opportunities. At present the volunteering opportunities are on an 'informal basis'. These are volunteers who work on an "as required" basis. For example:

Being part of a Steering Group which is reviewing Policies and Procedures
Being involved in the recruitment process of staff (see SUPER Group)
Helping out with organising service user conferences
Helping with the service users magazine.

SUPER Group

PRHA provides training for service users in being involved in the recruitment of staff.

On completion of this training you can take part in interviewing new members of staff.

Service users who have received SUPER Group training and act as volunteers in the recruitment process receive travel and lunch expenses.

Formal volunteering opportunities

Formal volunteers are volunteers that are required to work on a regular basis. The frequency will be agreed on an individual basis. For example it may be once a week every Friday or 4 days a week. Roles where volunteers are currently recruited by PRHA include:

Admin
Support work
Maintenance.

Traineeships and employment opportunities with other providers

PRHA currently has a training partnership with BITC (Business In the Community), 'The Ready for Work Placement', which provides PRHA service users with easy access to BITC voluntary work placements.

BITC's 'Ready for Work' Placement includes:

Registration (1/2 a day)
Pre-employment training - exploring self-esteem, motivational skills, CV preparation and interview techniques (2 days)
A placement - a minimum of 2 weeks unpaid supported wotk placement. You will have an assigned buddy who provides support and encouragement throughout your placement (travel costs are paid).
Placements include Banks and Marks & Spencers
Post-placement support - an opportunity to meet and discuss the next step to employment - assigned a job coach for 6 months who will assist and support you on your job search.

Opportunities to volunteer with Crisis:

Homelessness charity Crisis has opportunities for volunteers to get involved in a range of its activities. For more details, visit their website http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-sky-centres2.html