East Durham Partnership

The client is a 52 year male old experiencing long term unemployment and in receipt of Universal Credit. He is a resident of Horden and has been attending Cree regularly, and helping out during the pandemic. He has been unable to obtain employment despite making regular applications for work. He felt socially isolated and depressed and attended Cree to socialise with others and build his confidence by undertaking a supervised work placement in a safe environment.

How did Cree support?

The client was given internally accredited training in manual handling and health and safety. He was supported with employability issues such as CV writing and interview skills practice.

He has also received food vouchers and food parcels from the Charity.

What has the impact been?

The client has gained self -esteem and feels his confidence has improved to the extent he can communicate effectively with staff and customers associated with his work experience. This has resulted in him feeling more of a "useful member of the community" and he feels less isolated. He now contributes to the work of the charity. He also feels that his physical well being has improved though the physical work he undertakes as part of work placement. Through gaining skills and experience with the Charity we have been able to use the Cree Plus project to deliver a small scale case study /pilot involving this client into returning to part time employment

Quote

"Attending the CREE and being a part of the CREE-plus project has enabled me to obtain some paid work in a familiar and non threatening environment which does not affect my benefits significantly. This has allowed me to dip my toe into the field of employment without having to risk my current circumstances and has allowed me to feel like "my life is returning to normal again"

Any other comments

As well as providing support for our participants through the supported work placements, the charity receives benefit from the work undertaken by the Cree participants during their placement. In this way the CREE project becomes mutually beneficial and more likely to become ultimately sustainable.