Local scheme means survival turns into revival for Oldham job seekers

An Oldham man whose aimless search for work has turned into a path to success through learning bushcraft, is just one of 80 to progress onto better life chances.

New figures published show that 34 participants in a new scheme run by Spindles social enterprise Upturn, had returned to education while 33 had found full-time work.

A trio had participated in career-enhancing voluntary work while one had started her own Thai Massage business.

All 80 – of which 40 were from Oldham and 40 came from Rochdale – gained confidence from a scheme whose main exponent is, personal mentoring.

And given that the Government’s own flagship drive to get the long-term unemployed back into work resulted in just 7% being ultimately successful, they are eye-catching statistics.

“Better Life Chances is a unique mixture of practical work placement opportunities and mentoring and nurturing, one-to-one,” explained Maria Williams, HR Director at Upturn.

"And for all participants that last factor is key.

"Until this point, they have never really had anyone sit with them and drill down to what they want, and how they believe they can achieve that.”

That is a challenge Gareth responded to with the help and support of the Valley Farm O.W.L.C.I.C in Tameside, where he has learned bushcraft and survival skills.

While discovering talents like campfire cooking and shelter building that may see him become Oldham’s answer to Ray Mears, Gareth has also looked at his career goals and how he is going to achieve them.

Gareth said: “I have learnt a lot about bushcraft and talked through many different things through the counselling sessions.

"I am much more positive about the future, now.”

Better Life Chances is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority plus national adult learning organisation, WEA.

Its bold goal is to engage with those furthest away from work or education and imbue them with the confidence to get back on track.

Amongst those it has supported, are people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and caring responsibilities that have seen them only recently able to return to work.

“A recent MENCAP survey showed that 86% of people living with conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia want to work but feel the cards are stacked against them,” added Maria.

“That can even include actually being unable to read job adverts and fill in application forms.

"Imagine how dis-spiriting that can be.

"The first step is to recover their self-belief and harness that will-to-work.

"As someone such as Gareth has shown, instilling a bit of confidence can go a very, very long way.” 

Learn more at: www.upturn.org.uk 

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