Service Manager, ChoiceWorks, Community Safety & Regulatory Services, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration & Sustainability
ChoiceWorks is a European Social Fund (ESF) Employability Programme, which sits within Glasgow City Council’s, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability. You can read about how ChoiceWorks delivers its service in our Article in the 2020-21 Annual Reporter ‘CHOICEWORKS – MEETING THE COVID 19 CHALLENGES’. In this article we told you about how ChoiceWorks is delivered and our initial efforts to make the service accessible during the most challenging periods of the Covid 19 Pandemic restrictions. In this article we provide an update on those developments.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE FULL ARTICE FOR 2021-21
Like many Community Justice partners, the last few years have placed unprecedented demands on those working and delivering services due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions. ChoiceWorks has not been immune to this and, by listening to service users, have achieved a better understanding of their specific concerns and needs. This has assisted in reshaping service delivery to ensure that individuals are supported in every step of their journey to work towards a positive outcome.
Each member of the ChoiceWorks Team has a specific role to work towards ensuring that every person who engages with ChoiceWorks has an opportunity to ‘Release their Potential’.
The following chart shows a positive increase in referrals made to ChoiceWorks following the decrease experienced due to Covid-19:
Previously, sessions would be carried out face to face only, and this remains an option. However, due to Covid-19, a ‘Sessional Booklet’ was produced, which allowed sessions to be carried out remotely via an electronic device such as a tablet, laptop or PC or via telephone, depending on the preference of the service user.
Significant advantages of this form of engagement have been the reduction in need for the service user to travel to appointments and has assisted with childcare arrangements, increasing engagement rates.
Positive Outcomes
During this time, an Employment and Training Officer will work with the service user to understand what their vision is for the future and assist in the completion of CVs, interview techniques, job/college applications and identify employment and training opportunities. Once an employment or a college place is achieved, the officer will remain in contact with the individual to ensure any concerns are addressed.
The following comments are from ChoiceWorks participants who went on to gain employment and enrol on a college course.
“I am happy that I have gained employment with Glasgow City Council, a secure job. It has been a long time coming but worth the wait. I am more positive about the future and supporting my son. ChoiceWorks helped me to make positive choices and get where I am today, all through Lockdown I had regular contact which kept my spirits up. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it was not for the consistent help”. Stephen (January 2022).
“Working with the ChoiceWorks team has been a positive experience for me and changed my life for the better. I have achieved my goals and aspirations which I never thought would be possible due to my previous convictions. I now feel confident in my own abilities and within myself and have learned from my past mistakes. I intend to complete the College Course and work towards a Career in Paramedics within the Care Sector. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had not participated in the ChoiceWorks Programme”. Lorna (February 2022).
If you are interested to learn more about the ChoiceWorks Programme, please visit our webpage.
