Helping Cardiff’s jobseekers to boost their confidence and self-esteem

Two Cardiff charities are working together to help local unemployed people to build up their confidence and improve their chances of finding work.

The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus supports people who are unemployed to become job-ready, land employment and stay in work.

Pedal Power in Pontcanna encourages and enables children and adults of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of cycling.

Since joining forces, clients from Employment Plus are now going on work placements and volunteering at Pedal Power.

They are also getting the chance to join a new walking group based at Pedal Power’s Tanglewood coffee house in Pontcanna Fields.

Speaking about the partnership, Siân Donovan, Director at Pedal Power said:

“Working with Employment Plus fits in with Pedal Power’s ethos of providing an atmosphere where people can achieve their goals and aspirations and there are opportunities here for them to grow and develop. Our volunteers get a very varied experience with the skills they gain here and we encourage them to take those experiences and learn from and use them when they move into the workplace.

“The respect and care I’ve seen from Employment Plus towards the people they send here is outstanding. We work so well together and the mutual respect between Pedal Power and Employment Plus is evident and so the partnership works well which helps us to build a strong foundation for the clients to succeed on their placements.” 

The Salvation Army and Pedal Power have set up a walking group at the Tanglewood coffee house where Employment Plus clients can come and meet and make new friends or have some quiet time over a cup of tea or coffee.

The group’s leader - Paul Laybourn is an Employment Development Coordinator, based at The Salvation Army Employment Plus on Walker Road in Cardiff.

“At Employment Plus, we offer practical support for people who are searching for work by helping them with tasks such as updating their CVs, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews. But we also understand that looking for work can be a full-time job in itself, that there can be knock-backs along the way and that it is important to stay confident and feel positive about yourself and your abilities.

“We’re lucky to be working with Pedal Power because this allows us to send our clients into an empowering environment where they can get hands-on experience of being in a workplace and build up their confidence, get themselves ready for work and gain the skills they need to find a job. 

“We’ve also set up the walking group here at the Tanglewood coffee house to encourage our clients to get out and about, enjoy some fresh air and exercise and to give themselves a sense of achievement and pride in themselves.”