Salvation Army expands Employment Plus into Bishop’s Stortford

The Salvation Army service that helps people find and stay in work is expanding into Bishop’s Stortford next week thanks to the support of a local business. 

The church and charity’s Employment Plus team, which provides tailored employability support, already operates throughout Hertfordshire and Essex and will be running weekly sessions from 28 April at the church on Duckett’s Wharf. 

The one-to-one sessions take place on Mondays from 10am until 2pm and are available to anyone seeking work. Referrals can be made through agencies such as Citizen’s Advice while people can also turn up on the day to book an appointment. The Employment Plus team help jobseekers overcome or manage barriers to finding and staying in work, assist in writing CVs, filling in job applications, finding training opportunities and confidence building. 

The expansion has been made possible after a donation from Electro Detectors Ltd, based in nearby Harlow. Janet Rogers, director, said her late husband Tony, who founded the company and recently passed away, was keen to support the local community with a donation to The Salvation Army. Amongst other things, the money will be used to purchase laptops. 

Dave Rogers, managing director of Electro Detectors, explained: “My parents had been avid supporters of the Salvation Army over the years, it was fitting that a more substantial donation could be made from the profits of his company in dad’s memory.” 

Becky Henry, regional manager for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus, explained more about what will be on offer. 

Becky said: “Our service aims to help people who want work and can work but for multiple reasons are unable to find and keep a job. We see thousands of people who are being held back for reasons that are very often beyond their control. To have the support of Electro Detectors in this project makes such a difference and we are so grateful to them. 

“Our employment development co-ordinators work to transform lives through specialist support that is all about the individual and their needs, helping people to identify what skills they have and what roles would suit them. We support people into quality work, giving them encouragement and confidence to achieve their goals.” 

The Salvation Army’s Employment Development Co-ordinator for Bishop’s Stortford can be contacted to book an appointment by emailing employmentplusr4@salvationarmy.org.uk