Member Article

Employment support for those made redundant as result of Covid-19

An organisation which supports those who are unemployed across Coventry and Warwickshire is urging people who have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19 to get in touch.

The Accelerate project, which has offices in Coventry and Nuneaton but covers the whole of Warwickshire, provides free employment services and is already supporting people who have been made redundant due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The organisation is now calling on others who have been made redundant to get in touch for free help and support.

Accelerate works with a number of partner organisations across the area to provide services which not only help people with job applications, CV writing and interview skills but also support them in building confidence, dealing with stress and anxiety and overcoming any barriers.

Accelerate also helps people who may have to change their career paths to identify suitable future job roles and supports them with upskilling.

It is currently providing its services via video calls, telephone calls, emails and text messages but is starting to resume some face-to-face services.

Accelerate said that although its team and partner organisations are already supporting people who have been made redundant, it expects this to increase as the furlough scheme comes to an end in October and is prepared for any influx.

Kate Henderson, Opportunity Connector at Coventry and Warwickshire CDA which manages Accelerate, said: “We’re seeing an increasing amount of people who have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19 get in touch with us for help.

“A lot of these people have been in the same job for a number of years so don’t necessarily have interview experience or know how to construct a good CV.

“Some people are eager to get back into work as soon as possible and we are able to support them with that, but others are nervous and need support with building their confidence and resilience which we can also help with.

“A lot of people want to talk about their situation but are worried about being a burden to their families, so we can refer them to our partner organisations who can support with wellbeing, mindfulness, stress and anxiety or even just have a chat.

“Our journey guides provide people with a service that is tailored to their specific needs and works toward their goals.

“As the government furlough scheme draws to a close, we’re expecting an influx of people to get in touch but we have plans in place and are ready for any increase in numbers.”

Further information can also be found by visiting their website.

Those wishing to join the Accelerate programme need to be 19 or over and have the right to live and work in the UK.

The free employment support is offered through ‘Accelerate’, a Building Better Opportunities project funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund which is managed by Coventry and Warwickshire CDA and is delivered in conjunction with a partnership of local organisations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .