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South Lanarkshire scheme for homeless people proves a success
A scheme designed to give former addicts and homeless people the chance to work within the social care sector has proven a success in South Lanarkshire.
The Connect 2 programme, which is run by the local council, offers a six-month course specifically devised for residents who may have faced addiction problems or homelessness in the past to secure jobs.
The course consists of a four week pre-employment programme guaranteeing that participants are ready for the world of work when the scheme is complete, followed by a work placement and study towards their SVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care. The final part of the course focuses on the personal development of participants and job searching for opportunities in the care sector. The scheme is the only one in the UK to train and mentor participants before securing them work placements and a recognised qualification. Participants receive face-to-face support throughout the course, with weekly support meetings to discuss progress and training needs.
Peter Shiels, Connect 2 Training Co-ordinator said: "Participants receive support with their personal development to build up their confidence and motivation. We provide a range of support tailored to meet the needs of each individual. We even have mentors to help participants adjust to the wholesale change Connect 2 brings about in their lives. In many cases we're working with people who wouldn't normally have been able to access the chances they're now experiencing without the help of Connect 2."
One person who has benefited from the programme is Khrosow, who came to the UK from Iran in 1979 to study engineering before opening a takeaway in Motherwell after failing to get a career in engineering underway. As a result of not being able to work in his chosen field, Khrosow's life descended into addiction to drink and drugs for a number of years.
An assault at work further contributed to Khosrow losing his business and he admits to looking for an excuse not to work, blaming everyone but himself for his predicament.
Seven years ago, however, Khrosow decided to turn his life around by tackling his addiction head on and becoming sober. He carried out some volunteer work with SOLVE, the Scottish Drugs Forum and the Citizens Advice Bureau. Finally in May 2008, he started the Connect 2 Programme which has increased his confidence and employability considerably.
"The course quickly made me feel that doors were opening for me. Being part of the programme has helped me rebuild self-esteem, confidence and motivation. My employability skills have been brought up to date whilst my learning development and social skills have received a big boost,"he said. After completing the programme, Khrosow secured a job and is currently employed at Lifeways in Cambuslang, and has volunteered as a drink and drugs counsellor at Phoenix Futures. "I would encourage anyone who wants to turn their life around to get involved in the Connect 2 programme," he said.
To date, over 80 per cent of Connect 2 participants have gone on to secure jobs with the likes of homeless units, youth work, drug support agencies and care homes.
‚Äö?Ѭ¢ If interested, contact Peter Shiels on 01698 453652 or peter.shiels@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
June – July 2024 : Reflections
CONTENTS
BACK ISSUES
- Issue 150 : June – July 2024 : Reflections
- Issue 149 : April – May 2024 : Compassion
- Issue 148 : February – March 2024 : The little things
- Issue 147 : December 2023 – January 2024 : Next steps
- Issue 146 : October 2023 – November 2023 : Kind acts
- Issue 145 : August 2023 – September 2023 : Mental health
- Issue 144 : June 2023 – July 2023 : Community
- Issue 143 : April 2023 - May 2023 : Hope springs
- Issue 142 : February 2023 - March 2023 : New Beginnings
- Issue 141 : December 2022 - January 2023 : Winter Homeless
- Issue 140 : October - November 2022 : Resolve
- Issue 139 : August - September 2022 : Creativity
- Issue 138 : June - July 2022 : Practical advice
- Issue 137 : April - May 2022 : Connection
- Issue 136 : February - March 2022 : RESPECT
- Issue 135 : Dec 2021 - Jan 2022 : OPPORTUNITY
- Issue 134 : September-October 2021 : Losses and gains
- Issue 133 : July-August 2021 : Know Your Rights
- Issue 132 : May-June 2021 : Access to Healthcare
- Issue 131 : Mar-Apr 2021 : SOLUTIONS
- Issue 130 : Jan-Feb 2021 : CHANGE
- Issue 129 : Nov-Dec 2020 : UNBELIEVABLE
- Issue 128 : Sep-Oct 2020 : COPING
- Issue 127 : Jul-Aug 2020 : HOPE
- Issue 126 : Health & Wellbeing in a Crisis
- Issue 125 : Mar-Apr 2020 : MOVING ON
- Issue 124 : Jan-Feb 2020 : STREET FOOD
- Issue 123 : Nov-Dec 2019 : HOSTELS
- Issue 122 : Sep 2019 : DEATH ON THE STREETS
- Issue 121 : July-Aug 2019 : INVISIBLE YOUTH
- Issue 120 : May-June 2019 : RECOVERY
- Issue 119 : Mar-Apr 2019 : WELLBEING
- Issue 118 : Jan-Feb 2019 : WORKING HOMELESS
- Issue 117 : Nov-Dec 2018 : HER STORY
- Issue 116 : Sept-Oct 2018 : TOILET TALK
- Issue 115 : July-Aug 2018 : HIDDEN HOMELESS
- Issue 114 : May-Jun 2018 : REBUILD YOUR LIFE
- Issue 113 : Mar–Apr 2018 : REMEMBRANCE
- Issue 112 : Jan-Feb 2018
- Issue 111 : Nov-Dec 2017
- Issue 110 : Sept-Oct 2017
- Issue 109 : July-Aug 2017
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