Careers Springboard West Berkshire provides impartial information, advice and guidance to out-of-work job seekers on job search skills, including CV preparation, networking and interviewing.
Run by volunteers, many of whom have been made redundant themselves, we run weekly workshops and offer 1-on-1 support to job seekers.
Why the community needs usWe particularly benefit older managers and professionals who have been made redundant. This group experiences significantly longer periods out of work than younger people and often face implicit age discrimination. Many have never been made redundant before and come to us ill-prepared and out of practice in the skills of job seeking.
Our support gives them the practical support and confidence they need to re-enter the workforce.
Our impact on the communitySince starting in September 2006, we have helped over 450 people in their search for work at an average cost of just over £100 per person. In 2010 we enrolled 80 job seekers, of which at least 52 went back into paid employment.
We offer three types of voluntary rôle:
1. Helping job seekers: speaking on job seeking topics, chairing and hosting meetings, providing 1-on-1 support e.g. with CV preparation.
2. Liaison rôles: with supporters, referrers (e.g. JobCentre Plus), funders and employers.
3. Organisational rôles: administration, marketing, publicity, fund-raising etc.
Commitment can vary from just few hours occasionally, to more regular support at our weekly meetings (Tuesdays 1-4pm).
