Carlisle woman finally gets job - after 10 year wait
Last updated 13:32, Monday, 24 November 2008
A Carlisle woman who had been out of work for a decade has got a job, thanks to an innovative scheme run by her landlord.
Wendy Malthouse enrolled on a Carlisle Housing Association Skills for Life training course after losing confidence and becoming scared to apply for employment.
She says the scheme built her confidence, allowed her to make new friends and eventually resulted in her landing a job which fits with her personal circumstances.
She said: “I am delighted, [the course] has done me the world of good. I considered going to college but felt the building was too big and overpowering so when CHA invited me to attend the courses they were running I was pleased because it was small groups and my confidence has grown. It’s great to meet new faces and hear different chatter.”
The CHA courses include modules on budgeting, communicating with effectiveness, CV and job applications and basic computing. These kind of welfare to work courses by housing associations are being heavily pushed by the Government and will become even more vital as UK unemployment nudges the two million mark as the economy enters recession.
CHA has been running the courses from the Tenants Resource Centre, on Botchergate, since May.
They are delivered in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Carlisle College.
Dave Miller, resident involvement officer at CHA, said: “We are committed to helping our tenants in a number of ways.
“The Skills for Life courses proved to be a great success and have helped a number of our tenants learn new skills which can help them in their day to day lives.
“We are planning to run more courses in the New Year.”
