The Engagement Gateway

What is the Engagement Gateway?

The Engagement Gateway is not one, but a number of different projects and programmes, delivered across Wales which all aim to get people back to work, or closer to the job market. Many of the projects are running in Pembrokeshire, or are open to people who live in Pembrokeshire and are offering all sorts of activities from confidence building to training courses.

Some of the projects are open to all those who are aged 16+ and not working - or are working less than 16 hours (unemployed or economically inactive). However some are only open to those who are not claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance (only for those who are economically inactive). Some of the programmes are designed especially for particular groups of
people such as women, people with work limiting health problems, or young people. Please see the list below to see if there is something that might be of interest.

Unfortunately you cannot join an Engagement Gateway project if you are already on Work Programme.                           

Projects Currently Running in Pembrokeshire

The information below is a brief summary of each project, for more detail please contact the individual project.

Baubo Moon Belly Dance CIC - Belly Dance Works Project 

Following a successful National lottery funded project in 2009, this women-centred Community Interest Company are now leading a 10 month Engagement Gateway project offering taster sessions, workshops and two community dance shows in the enriching and diverse subject of Belly Dance. The taster sessions are ideal for a fun, new way to engage people and can lead onto accredited Agored Cymru certification in an 'Introduction to Belly Dance' course. The skills and benefits that this project brings are;

- improved team & group work

- better fitness and well-being

- increased social interaction and networking

- more confidence & self-esteem

- increased body awareness

- time in women only spaces

- accredited learning

- volunteer opportunities

- new skills in dance & performance

The group welcomes referrals, from individuals, organisations or community groups onto the project. Participants must be aged 16+ and not working (or working less than 16 hours a week) and not claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance. Assistance with child care and travel can be arranged and the workshops and/or tasters can be at a suitable location. The group are currently running sessions in Cardigan at Theatre Mwldan and The Bridge at Gwalia's offices in Milford Haven.

For more information please contact Guinevere Clark or Melanie Collier - info@baubomoonbellydance.co.uk / www.baubomoonbellydance.co.uk

Tel - 0792 533 2892 / 0777 131 9021

BTCV - British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
BTCV provides training and work experience programmes in land based skills and machinery use. These are aimed at engaging people who live in the Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Monkton area, are 16 years old or over and are not in education, employment or training. Whilst with the programme participants will gain work experience and have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised training certificates in some, or all, of the following areas:

• Strimmer maintenance & use
• Ride on mower
• First aid
• Horticulture/conservation

For further information contact Julie Askew: 07866640916 or contact regional office 01554 891885

Community Music Wales - Social Media and the Music Industry

Community Music Wales will be delivering a series of 5 day workshops across the West Wales area for unemployed or economically inactive musicians that are aged 16 and above. The workshops will aim to explain, in detail, what these digital social networks and services can do, and how musicians can maximise the benefit.

The workshops will start by looking at a band or musician’s identity, both visually and digitally, and how this is presented on their website or Wordpress.  The importance of identity, and how to keep it consistent across the current crop of popular networks including, Facbook, Twitter, and Youtube will be explored.  Progressing from there, the more specialist services will be explored, and how to decide if they’re the right service for your music, and how to integrate them into an online identity and online business strategy.

If you’re interested in booking a place on a workshop, or would like to find out more, contact: Adam Williams, Project Officer - Community Music Wales on 029 2083 8060 or adam.williams@communitymusicwales.org.uk

Greenlinks

Project for anyone aged over 16 who is not working or working less than 16 hours per week, but not claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance 

Courses include:

• Make-up and Manicures - Beginners course to learn professional techniques for make-up application and manicures
• Recycle and Restyle - Learn how to update your clothes to the latest fashion using basic sewing techniques
• Car Maintenance - Beginners course in maintaining your car and carrying out basic repairs
• Painting and Decorating - Beginners course in painting and decorating

If you are interested please contact Green Links CIC at greenlinks@hotmail.co.uk or call  Kim on 01646 686804 or Claire on 07748  383374

Help may be available with childcare costs.

Light Spirit UK
Light Spirit intends to deliver personal development workshops that can be life transforming and
result in positive outcomes such as improved self confidence, self esteem and a more positive
outlook. Participants will also have access to environmental volunteering opportunities, additional help from complementary therapies as required and monthly ‘get togethers’.

Three Day programmes include:

• Developing a positive attitude
• Building self confidence
• Understanding yourself and your relationships to others
• Stress release techniques

Telephone number for clients/ referrals 07794 448 320 or email lightspirituk@hotmail.co.uk
For general project information contact Stella Hooper on 07891 596 938

Moving On (Hafan Cymru)

The Moving On project provides flexible activities
tailored to individual needs focused on ‘personal
development’ and ‘back to work skills’.

What Moving On can do for you?
The programme can support you with:

• Basic skills ( literacy/ numeracy /
  communication/ IT)
• Personal development and back to work skills
• Accredited learning, further education and
  training opportunities
• Securing work experience or volunteer
  placements to help identify the job that
  would suit you
• C.V. building
• Job search, applications and interview
  techniques
• Finding and keeping a job
• Developing and reaching your full potential

The project is aimed at existing, or previous, service users of Hafan Cymru. However if you would like more information contact the Head Office on enquiries@hafancymru.co.uk or 01267 225555.
For more information: www.hafancymru.co.uk

Nail Training Academy/Foundation 14a

This project (Nail Training Academy/Foundation 14a) has been established to provide an opportunity for those individuals considered most hard to reach to learn beauty therapy skills and theory, as well as social and communication skills, including basic marketing advice, self-esteem and confidence building, numeracy and literacy improvement and support.  It is available to those over 16 who are economically inactive, not claiming JSA or ESA, not in full time education or working less than 16 hours. The aim is to assist people back into work, further education or self employment.

The Nail Training Academy/Foundation 14a is running a training course in beauty therapy in Pembrokeshire, starting soon. The course is open to participants who can spend 2 days per week (for 12 weeks) during school hours studying for a beauty therapy qualification. And the best news is that if you are eligible, the course is free (usual cost £2500 per student)!

For further details, please contact Gareth Hughes at the Nail Training Academy on 029 20651496

Pembroke 21C - Training Skills for Management and Maintenance of Woodland and Wetland Habitats

Pembroke 21C Community Interest Company will provide training in traditional woodland and wetland management skills for people furthest from the labour market that will equip them for further training and employment on local projects.  The work will enhance this community social enterprise by building its capacity, providing employment and revenue earning potential. 

Activities include:

• Training four trainers in the necessary skills, health and safety and PPE leading to CSCS Supervisors, as well as training as OCN trainers and assessors.
• An accredited programme of around eight training courses. For a list of current courses please click here (opens a PDF)

Contact Elizabeth Gossage/Gareth Jones on 01646 680090 / foundryhouse@pembroke21c.org for more information.

St John Cymru Wales

St John Wales are running a short scheme to engage with 16-25 year olds in Pembrokeshire who are not in full-time education, employment or training. Offering the chance to learn new skills, build confidence and assist them to access further opportunities.

The project can offer sessions focused around free First Aid tasters (e.g. child safety, driver safety etc.) and resulting in St John certification. Beyond this participants will be linked into opportunities either within St John Wales or their wider community. They could choose to be guided through the St John youth programme, gaining qualifications, work experience and developing interpersonal skills or alternatively by working closely with our local and wider community, young people will be supported to access other opportunities such as volunteering or training to best match their needs and interests.

First session - (Pembroke)

Saturday 3rd March

Pembroke 21C (Foundry House Community Centre)

To include:

• FREE First Aid training
• FREE lunch and refreshments
• FREE work experience activity for CVs

(transportation can be offered if this will assist anyone to attend)

Further sessions: Other sessions are being set up in different areas to make the training as accessible to young people as possible so please get in touch if you need to know about specific areas.

Please contact:

Alison Moore (Project Manager) 07788310480 / alison.moore@stjohnwales.org.uk

Small World Theatre - Corlan

Project for people with work limiting physical disabilities in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire (can be self-certified) willing to work towards economic activity, aged 16 and above.

The course is a 5 day arts, based training programme split over 2 weeks (see below) and will cover personal perceptions, identifying strengths, overcoming barriers & setting goals, interview skills and role play, creative workshops including a practical task (making a driftwood sculpture) as well as designing a personal advert.  Each participant will also benefit from CV writing/support and an opportunity to meet local organisations to discuss employment/volunteering or training opportunities.  The course is designed to be fun, to develop new skills and improve confidence.

Call Julie on 01239 615 952 for an informal chat, or email julie@smallworld.org.uk

Small World Theatre - Skate Park Project.

Small World theatre has been working with a group of Cardigan Skatepark users to design a 'skateable' bench for their site. The building of the design will be done by a group of young people who are unemployed working with a group of peer educators. All participants will gain a qualification and benefit from employment counseling and support to move on into employment or further training.

If you are over 16 and would like to learn creative thinking and construction skills while working with a lively team of creative people on a project to benefit the community, please get in touch with Kate, kate@smallworld.org.uk, Tel: 01239 615952.

More Information see www.smallworld.org.uk

STEPS to a Working Future
Pembrokeshire College will assist economically inactive individuals to gain knowledge and skills
necessary to develop their career paths and so prepare them to enter employment or further learning.

Activities & support includes:
Courses: introductory courses to improve your job skills, confidence building and motivation, IT & Computer skills, Childcare, First Aid – plus many more
Individual learning plans: 1-2-1 advice and guidance
Job Search skills: CV writing, interview skills, job search, online job applications, understanding
employer needs
Advice on: volunteering opportunities, training options, career opportunities

Sessions available at:
Pembroke Dock
Milford Haven
Haverfordwest
Letterston
And other convenient community outreach venues

To book an appointment, or find out more please contact a member of the team on 01437 753139, text 07974 234577 or email Egateway@pembs.ac.uk

NEW Projects
If you are a carer (or former carer) or are aged 50 or over please contact Maria Thorneycroft who will explain about the projects specifically for you.

Pembrokeshire County Council (Step up)

Targeted Community Youth Work: To provide informal youth work programmes and support in Milford Haven for NEET 16-25 year olds to address their personal, social, emotional and educational needs in order to improve their chances of reaching their full potential.

Project for economically inactive/ unemployed 16-25 year olds living in (or around) Milford Haven

Activities include:

• Add to CV
• Improve Life Skills
• Increase training opportunities
• Develop problem solving abilities
• Enhance personal development and experiences.

Every Tuesday and Friday @ Milford Haven Youth Centre

Contact Nick Hudd 01646 697967

Email – nick.hudd@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Tanyard Youth Project Ltd.
The Tanyard will work with the hardest to reach young people in the Pembroke area through building strong relationships and providing informal activities and accredited opportunities to improve levels of confidence and motivation enabling them to progress and succeed in mainstream training and education or employment.

Project for unemployed or economically inactive young people (aged 16-25) living in (or around) the Pembroke area

Activities include:
• Youth drop in sessions • Information and advice
• Workshops and soft skills activities • Accredited training
• Job search, application, interview and employability skills
• Referrals • Film and music studio (multi media projects)
• Art and craft • Free use of internet

Opening times are: Thursday, 11am-4pm & Friday: 2:00-4:00pm
Contact Details: Tel. (01646) 680068 / tanyardyp@hotmail.com

Tir Coed

Tir Coed is a woodland charity working with young people to improve their vocational skills.

Are you aged 16 – 25 years? Do you like working outside? Do you want to learn new skills & meet new people? We can offer free training!

If you’re unemployed, on Incapacity Benefit, or at College, training or work for less than 16 hours a week, come and have a go and see if you want to join in!

Learn countryside management and green woodwork skills.

The programme runs weekly on a Tuesday and is led by experienced Tutors.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and support with transport is provided, plus you

can get accreditation with the Open College Network (OCN)

To find out more contact: gwyneth@tircoed.org.uk

Tel - 01974 282476 / 07792 139845

Walk with Friends CIC.

"Nature awareness and life skills”

A nature awareness  activity programme providing occupational training and activities for the economically inactive and those suffering from work limiting  mental health problems.   
Participants will learn simple wildlife observation and identification skills and will learn to capture and record their wildlife observations each week.
Training activities will include nature awareness, digital photography and audio recording, nature writing and nature art.

The project will also enable participants to Improve their communication skills, teamwork, project skills, problem solving skills and occupational specific skills. Helping  remove barriers and build confidence and motivation for further occupational participation.

Contact Andrew Dugmore
admin@walkwithfriends.org

07801 579225

Last updated: 22/02/2012