Free Services available in Cheshire West

In a time of uncertainty in the job market, we have some fantastic employment services that can help not only Weaver Vale Housing Trust customers, but also others living in the community. We’ve outlined the services below, giving an overview of the support available. Please contact us by email or ring on one of the numbers detailed below to make a referral or to discuss services further.

NEW LEAF

New Leaf is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the National Lottery Community Fund, available to anybody across Winsford, Northwich and surrounding rural areas. This programme is open to anyone that is unemployed and wants support with getting back to work. You do not need to be a Weaver Vale Housing Trust customer, nor do you have to be claiming a benefit to access our support. New Leaf supports people with barriers to employment, such as age, childcare, mental or physical health issues or long-term unemployment, or simply those looking for a change of career.   New Leaf provides 1-2-1 support to help you unlock your full potential, and our participants can work with specialist partners for money advice, training, mental health support, volunteering and self-employment. For further information, enquiries, or referrals, please email newleaf@wvht.co.uk or call Emma Stuart on 07525668971.

PARENTS FIRST

Parents First is a holistic employment support service designed specifically for parents of young children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old, who are eligible for Government funded childcare places and who may need support engaging with those services. This programme is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). Intensive one-to-one support will be provided through Employment Advisors based in Children’s Centres across Northwich, Winsford, Ellesmere Port and Chester (including surrounding rural areas). The support will ensure parents are able to explore and develop education, training, and employment aspirations, get job ready or find meaningful employment. Participants will also be supported with issues including debt, social isolation, and low-level mental health. For further information, enquiries, or referrals, please email parentsfirst@wvht.co.uk or call Heather Stone on 07706360972.

SPRINGBOARD

Given the rise in unemployment and the need to assist in the Covid-19 recovery, the Trust is supporting a new initiative to increase support for those who have recently found themselves out of work. Springboard is a new employment and skills programme launched in October 2021, aiming to work with 2,400 people over two years with the focus of supporting them to overcome their personal barriers, improve their skills, and find employment. The programme is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Torus foundation and the Springboard Cheshire delivery and strategic partners. The support will include one-to-one information, advice and guidance, training, mental health support, money advice, and support to increase digital skills. The programme will be fast paced with the hope of participants moving into employment quickly. For further information, enquiries, or referrals, please email springboard@wvht.co.uk or call Heather Stone on 07706360972.

EMPLOYMENT HORIZONS

Employment Horizons work exclusively with people living in Weaver Vale Housing Trust homes. The main aim is to support people into sustainable employment or vocational training. Individuals do not need to be out of work to receive support. We provide a wide range of tailored services including;

  • CV/cover letter writing
  • Interview skills
  • Confidence building
  • Job search
  • Referral for training
  • Funding and equipment for training
  • Support to update the UC journal
  • Referral to the Money Matters and Support and Wellbeing Teams at Weaver Vale Housing Trust
  • Referral to external agencies

 We also support customers with interview/work clothes and essential equipment for work. We welcome referrals from customers themselves or professionals working with the individual. The reduction to Universal Credit and the end of Furlough is going to hit some customers very hard, so please promote our service at every opportunity. All of our services are completely free and we work at the customers’ own pace. We can support customers even if they have been mandated to another programme by their Work Coach. We also offer an important service for customers who are digitally excluded or have literacy problems. We do whatever is needed to ensure that they are meeting their benefit compliance requirements to prevent sanction & further hardship. We also have our Raising Aspirations Fund which is from Social Value contributions gifted by our contractors – this is accessible to all customers. The fund is available to fund absolutely anything that will improve the employment prospects of the individual e.g. a training course, laptop etc. For further information, enquiries, or referrals, please email workteam@wvht.co.uk or call Jake Billinge on 07874857633.

WHO DOES EACH TEAM HELP?