Did you know there are three, weekly work clubs supported by Ealing Council? Florence is one of the many local people who have been helped by a work club to plan a route towards employment.

Florence, from Northolt, had been out of work for more than a year, having been affected by the national benefit cap, when she first came to the Northolt work club in search of help.

From desperation to delight

“I was on Job Seekers’ allowance and was actively looking for work,” she said. “I had signed up with several agencies but all my efforts to find work had been unsuccessful. I was so desperate. Every interview was a failure and I felt more and more discouraged about getting an interview never mind finding the right job.

“I decided to go to the work club at Northolt Library, and it was here I was taught how to tailor my CV to meet the job description and criteria. I also learned how to transfer my skills from one experience to another.”

Work clubs offer guidance and support to help residents with their job search, preparing a CV, application forms, as well as exploring career options or volunteering as a way of getting into work, changing career or developing skills and interests. They also refer people to vocational training and further education opportunities.

The club also referred Florence to the council’s local welfare assistance for financial advice, which helped to reduce some of the stress that was preventing her from focusing on her search for work.

‘It was almost too good to be true’

“The whole welfare team was so supportive, and so was the work club” she said. “It was almost too good to be true. Here were people who actually cared and were rooting for my success. For once, I felt proud of my past accomplishments and began to look at my CV with pride.”

Not long after, Florence got an interview and the work club helped her prepare for it. She got the job and now works part-time as an administrator with Near Neighbours Catalyst Programme, which helps young people.

Florence said: “The work club arranged a mock interview for me which took away all my initial fears and apprehension. I felt confident enough that I had the right answers and was even offered the job before I had stepped out of the building

“I fitted into the job like a glove because of my background as a volunteer and my experience of working with children and adults in various organisations including my children’s primary school, church and community. I now work with a team of passionate and enthusiastic people which is caring and meeting the needs of the people from diverse backgrounds. It is fulfilling to no longer have money worries and also know your work can help give someone a chance to make it in life.”

More information

Ealing Council currently runs work clubs in Ealing and Northolt and supports another in Hanwell. Full details are on the council’s website.

Anyone living in the borough and looking for a job is welcome to attend any of the clubs. You do not need to make an appointment, just call-in, and start planning your journey into work.