Lets Work Together

Published 9th Nov 2010 - The Rockwell Site

Lets Work Together

A Bradford project which offers volunteering opportunities for unemployed people was today awarded a grant of nearly £160,000.

The Big Lottery Fund award will help run Thorpe Edge Community Project’s Rockwell Skilled Up scheme.

The cash will be used over three years to promote and support volunteering opportunities through the project, based at the Rockwell Centre, off Rockwell Lane, Thorpe Edge.

Placements for the long-term unemployed will be offered at the Newlands Furniture Recycling Service, along with voluntary roles at the Rockwell Nursery, Newlands Community Trans-port Service, the Rockwell Community Centre and the Rockwell Cafe, all operated by the community project.

Manager John Sheen said: “We are using the Reaching Communities grant to employ qualified and experienced staff to deliver an employability service based in disadvantaged communities of north Bradford.

“The Rockwell Skilled Up Project will engage with local unemployed people providing new opportunities for them to access training and gain work experience.

“The project will help beneficiaries to gain new skills and confidence to give them better chances in life.

“Beneficiaries would be given opportunities to work alongside experienced staff in any of our existing projects and also the running of the Rockwell Community Centre itself.

“It will provide a lifeline for many people hit by the recession.”

Potential volunteers will be assessed and then matched to the most appropriate type of work, whether it is collection and delivery of furniture, repair and restoration, warehouse duties, customer service, administration, marketing and sales, childcare, driving, reception work, catering, cleaning or gardening.

Placements will be supported by a member of staff to ensure the volunteers are engaged with the work, developing skills and enjoying the tasks.