Employment Support – a year in review

2020 has been a busy year for the Employment Support Team

This year the Group have been awarded £5,000 by the Port of Dover Community Fund to help tackle unemployment in Dover.

The funds will be used by our Community Investment Team and the Dover Job Club to provide our residents and other local people with important help and advice on employment and benefits.

Sarah Hampton, Employment Support Officer, said:

“Myself and other dedicated Employment Officers can’t wait to assist people in Dover with job searching, applying for work, updating CVs, and careers coaching."

"This donation has already made a huge difference to the service we provide to our residents."

"We've already purchased four more laptops that will be used by people to look for and apply for jobs."

"It has also enabled us to take on a special employment advisor who will provide continuous professional support during the Dover Job Club’s opening hours.”

This is just a part of our wider employment support that we’ve provided to our residents this year.

In the last three months alone, our Community Investment Team have supported over 90 Southern Housing Group residents offering them online support, funding, careers and employment advice.

We also continue to work with various partner companies enabling us to refer residents to our local provision where they can gain skills, build confidence and ultimately move into employment.

Valerie Buckland, Employment Skills Officer (South), said: “I feel very privileged to work with such a dedicated and committed Employment Support Team.

“I am pleased to say that from January 2021 we will be working with the Spear Programme to help young people get back into work or education.

“I hope we will be able to equip them with confidence, motivation and the vital skills they need to succeed in long-term employment.” 

If you would like to get more information about Community Investment projects, please email Employment.Support@shgroup.org.uk or call 0300 020 0549.