Salvation Army supporting jobseekers in Rushden

A free support service launched by The Salvation Army in Rushden three months ago to help people find work is already seeing results.

Originally planned for 2020, the church and charity finally launched Employment Plus in March and five people have already started new jobs as a result. Employment Plus already operates in dozens of locations across the country, helping people to overcome personal and professional obstacles and achieve their life’s ambitions.

Julie Howarth is Employment Development Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Northamptonshire and runs the Rushden branch on a Tuesday morning at The Salvation Army buildings on Church Street.

With experience of setting up outsourced jobclubs elsewhere, one of which was used a pilot, Julie said she is delighted to use her experience to help others.

She explained: “Rushden Employment Plus is a safe place for people to come to find help with ‘life’ issues such as mental health, low confidence, housing and debt. We also help them with CV writing, how to search for jobs, application forms, interview skills and digital inclusion.”

Julie is convinced that the way she runs Employment Plus works and the results are speaking for themselves.

She gave some more details about the people who currently attend Employment Plus in Rushden each week.

Julie added: “We have about 15 people attending weekly, all with different problems and roadblocks. We offer a warm welcome to all and I will discuss with them what help we can provide. I have volunteers who will train IT skills on a 1-2-1 basis and help clients submit CVs on the laptops we provide.

“Every week I run a group training session on employability skills and this brings people together.”

Aside from job hunting, Julie said she has been thrilled to see how people attending each week have developed.

She said: “Friendships are formed and it is a joy to see people grow from being very nervous and quiet to seeing them jump in to help others.  There is a definite buzz of activity and comradery and everybody is enjoying being out and about again.  People want to keep coming back. 

“It is clear that this is much needed here and is proving a total success.  I am extremely happy and proud of what we have achieved so far.”

For more information, call Lee Horley on 07702 940944 or call in to see Julie Howarth at The Salvation Army, 16-20 Church Street, Rushden, NN10 9YT between 10am and noon on Tuesdays.