Part of our support package to tenants is to support them back into or introduce them to employment and work experience gained by volunteering.  

Going to work is so much more than just the salary you receive, whilst money is great and solves a number of immediate issues, for some, it can often be the least important thing.  We all go to work for many reasons, pay the bills, do something we love, work close to home, work around school hours, learn a new skill, engage with our work communities, have a purpose to set the alarm every day.  Whatever someone’s driving reason is to work, we will support them in their journey to securing meaningful and desired employment. 

We will look at volunteering opportunities as part of their stay with us, this will help build self-confidence, independence and life and employability skills

Skills can be gained from many places, this will be agreed as part of a tenants support plan. 

There are many providers across Leeds where new skills can be gained: 

Think Employment – Offer free courses in subjects such as Basic IT, Warehouse, Customer Service, Hospitality and Business Administration as well as functional skills (Maths and English)

Hollybush Conservation Centre – A volunteer programme to help improve local green spaces.  Learn all about gardening, maintenance and working as part of a team. 

Swarthmore Education Centre – Free Life Skills course to improve numeracy and literacy skills

Princes Trust – Offer support to 11 to 30 year olds to find a job, get into education and training

Jamies Ministry of Food at Leeds Kirkgate Market – Learn how to cook

One You Leeds – free support to stop smoking, manage weight, exercise more, and learn to cook

Path Yorkshire – employment support, learn English, Digital Inclusion

Leeds Libraries – free books, free computer access with free learning sessions

Leeds One Stops – housing services, customer services, job searching, and online learning

St Vincent’s – Free English, literacy, Computer, Art and Cooking classes

Leeds Mind – Crafts, Games, Creative Writing, Gardening and Textile community groups

Notes

All listed names need to be hyperlinked to their website