Partner Article

Jobless Pair Hope For Brighter 2018 Thanks To Action Towards Inclusion And Beyond 2030

Two people who have been unemployed for a total of 25 years are hoping for a brighter 2018 after attending a development programme at York-based talent development company, Beyond 2030.

Fred Hansford and Sarah Neaves, both from York, are ready to put years of hardship behind them and find work after being supported by Beyond 2030 as part of Action Towards Inclusion, which is part of the Building Better Opportunities project funded by the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund.

Beyond 2030, led by founder and CEO, Toni Eastwood, is working with Fred and Sarah as York’s key worker partner, part of a North Yorkshire voluntary sector partnership led by Your Consortium, Knaresborough, that secured £7.4m funding from January 2017 to December 2019.

Your Consortium is leading the Action Towards Inclusion programme in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership area, which supports people who are furthest from work, training and volunteering.

After identifying those who can benefit, Action Towards Inclusion offers support to help them overcome physical, psychological, financial and skills barriers and progress towards employment, training and education. The programme also aims to combat poverty and social exclusion.

Fred and Sarah were identified by Beyond 2030’s Action Towards Inclusion key worker, Richard Hawley, who met them regularly for coffee to discuss their circumstances and aspirations so a bespoke training package could be created for them.

The two have visited Beyond 2030’s Fulford offices weekly for its Beyond Tomorrow confidence building and life skills development programme, with lead trainer, Marina Rigley, and have now progressed to a Level 2 in customer service and personal development, an accredited qualification awarded through Active IQ.

Fred Handsworth, 49, who has been unable to find work for five years since he worked in hospitality in York, says: “It has been very tough. There is not a lot of work out there and trying to find a job by putting out CVs or word of mouth, has been soul destroying.

“The length of time and rejections led to anxiety attacks and depression but Beyond 2030, through Richard and Marina, has been very supportive and understanding. I’m much happier now as this programme provides many opportunities to build confidence, gain appropriate qualifications and, hopefully, get back into work. I feel less stressed and have better faith in myself.”

Sarah Neaves, 49, has been out of work for 20 years after initially suffering from severe stress after a York logistics firm that she worked for went into liquidation in 1998.

She says: “That difficult period, combined with the wider stress of life, lead to a nervous breakdown which required long-term medical help. I’ve been scared for some time that I was not up to going back to work, but now I want to get back into the world I left.

“Marina is a marvelous confidence booster and has helped me to get my brain working again. I felt almost at rock bottom but am now more confident and optimistic. The whole experience at Beyond 2030 has had a very positive impact.”

Toni Eastwood, who was awarded an OBE in 2007 for her work towards equal opportunities, says: “There is no such thing as a person without talent, just those who have had soul-destroying bad luck. It is a pleasure to be supporting Sarah and Fred who have lots to contribute and we hope an employer will give them the lucky break they deserve. Action Towards Inclusion is a badly-needed programme and we are very pleased to be assisting Your Consortium and helping make it a success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mike Clarke Communications .