A new employment programme has supported 25 people currently accessing alcohol and drug support to get into work in its first year.
Cranstoun Worcestershire has had a successful first year of its Individual Placement and Support service, known as IPS, leading to positive changes in people’s lives.
The service is offered to motivated people receiving treatment for alcohol and drug use, with the aim being to support them in finding a job which meets their needs and preferences.
Cranstoun’s employment specialists provide support with interview skills, CV writing, application forms and more for the person who is accessing the service.
They also develop relationships with commissioners, partners and employers in the local area, taking time to understand employer needs to ensure they can put forward people who have been carefully identified as a good fit for a vacancy.
Rachel Bodwell, IPS team leader at Cranstoun Worcestershire, said, ‘As we mark the successful first year of our Individual Placement and Support services across Worcestershire, we celebrate the meaningful progress made to help people find real work, with dignity and purpose.
‘This is just the beginning. With our success and learning from our first year, we look forward to an even more impactful year ahead, continuing to transform lives through the power of employment.’
While being supported by Cranstoun Worcestershire’s alcohol and drugs service, Mark Hughes was offered the opportunity to work with IPS employment specialist Richard Waite to find employment in a role which suited him, as a warehouse operative.
‘We supported Mark to regain his confidence, helped him update his CV and prepare for interviews,’ Richard said. ‘I’m so proud of what Mark has achieved, he is now thriving in full-time employment with a new goal to progress in his career and become a manager.
‘I think Mark’s motivation combined with his passion for what he would like to achieve in his life has really got him to where he wants to be.’
When asked what advice he would give to someone in a similar situation, Mark said, ‘The best advice I could give to you is just to keep on going, keep on trying and never give up. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. With support and motivation from yourself, you will eventually get to where you need to be.
‘I would like to say thank you to every single worker who has ever worked with me, and especially IPS for giving me the opportunity to get myself back into employment.’
Cranstoun Worcestershire is supported by the Worcestershire Safer Communities Project, funded by the Worcestershire County Council’s public health team and police and crime commissioner John Campion.
Cabinet member with responsibility for health and community support at Worcestershire County Council, councillor Dr Satinder Bell, said, ‘This programme, commissioned through Worcestershire County Council’s public health team has, in its first year, started to make a genuine, positive impact on the lives of people receiving Cranstoun’s support and, by extension, on the broader communities of Worcestershire.
‘People who use drugs and alcohol can struggle to find stable employment, which can be an essential part of recovery, giving them a sense of pride, motivation and giving back.’
This blog was originally published by Cranstoun. You can read the original post here.
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