First step to a new job and new future in Wales

The Salvation Army is hosting drop-in events in Wales this week to mark national Employability Day. Jobseekers can get expert advice from the Employment Plus team and perhaps find a match with a local employer.

Thursday 19 June will see two drop-in events. The first will be at The Salvation Army’s newly refurbished church hall at Alexandra Road in Aberystwyth from 10am to 1pm. And from 11am to 12:30pm the church in Wrexham at Garden Road will be open for employment advice, training and volunteering information and review live job vacancies, with some employers present. 

Simon Evans (49) from Wrexham, is full of praise for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus team, sometimes known as E+. He received support while searching for work and will be volunteering at this year’s Employability Day event in the city.

Mr Evans said:  

"My life changed, they listened, empathised and understood. You can't put a monetary value on being able to change somebody's life for the better. Now it’s important to me that I give something back to others.”

Abi Gardner is Assistant Regional Manager for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service in Wales, Abi said:

“We work with people across Wales who are keen to work but who face the biggest barriers to getting employment, such as physical and mental ill-health or a lack of relevant skills, education or affordable childcare. Employability Day is a way of highlighting the importance of work in people’s lives and the support available.”

In the past 12 months, The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service has fully supported 4905 people across the UK and Ireland on their journey to a new future. People who take part complete important milestones such as building a CV, completing a training course or undertaking a work experience placement. More than 900 of those who took part went on to find a job.

The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service is delivered from churches, centres and Lifehouses (accommodation for people who are homeless), plus other locations such as Job Centre Plus, local partner organisations and some prisons.

To locate The Salvation Army or E+ closest to you enter your postcode at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/map-page or email: employmentplus@salvationarmy.org.uk