“From the moment contact was made they have not stopped reassuring me and have helped me get on my feet.”
Kyran’s life before getting support from Shaw Trust was tough. At 31 and a single dad, Kyran admits he: “had not always made the best choices in life.” He had experienced homelessness and at times had been too proud to accept help.
However, support from his local council and JobCentre Plus encouraged Kyran to join JETS. And within two weeks he had secured employment.
Kyran joined JETS on 6 November, he wanted help getting a job that gave him weekends off so he could care for his daughter. He was open to any kind of work, but his long-term goal would be to work with people in situations he had experienced himself.
Quickly moving into action Kyran’s Shaw Trust employment adviser reviewed his CV and saw his potential. By involving colleagues in regular contact with employers, a warehouse role was found that suited Kyran. Within a week of joining JETS Kyran had successfully interviewed for the role and received a job offer.
But, Kyran needed steel toecap boots for the role, an expensive purchase. Keen not to let the job opportunity slip away Kyran’s employment adviser gained funding for the boots, which arrived in time for his first day, 16 November.
Kyran commented: “You could say I have not made some of the best choices in life. I let my own stubbornness get in the way of the real world. I didn’t want help because I thought I could do everything myself and to be honest, I acted too proud at times to take it. I have hidden the fact I was homeless and the struggles I have had to deal with from so many others, until the point I needed help and had to swallow that pride, after being in a hostel for nearly seven months with only my own thoughts in my head, never knowing what would be next.
“I finally got my own accommodation, I was thrilled I thought! After moving in and having to realise this is where the hard work starts, all I could do was sit on my bed and cry, scared, worried and alone, not knowing how I was going to manage. I was approached by Shaw Trust to join the JETS programme. I did not meet a company wanting their own gain. They made me feel welcome with friendly polite phone calls, not just wanting to get me into work but also wanting to know I was okay.
“I have never felt forced or pushed into anything I don’t/would not want to do. From the moment contact was made they have not stopped reassuring me and have helped me get on my feet. It took a matter of days before work was already looking likely. I had an interview, through the help of my adviser and the employer account manager and secured a job where I would still be able to look after my daughter at the weekends. I speak honestly because lies don’t get you anywhere (I know first-hand). I would recommend them as the highest people I have had the pleasure of working with and to anyone ever in my position, their number would be the first I give. I want people to know that they should never give up, you just need to ask for help and then your life will get better.”
The new Work and Health Programme – Job Entry Targeted Support programme (JETS) supports those who are unemployed and in receipt of benefits for at least 13 weeks, find sustainable work. Kyran secured a role working 16 hours a week and is just one individual who has been supported with finding permanent work.