Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Reduction

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Poverty driver

• Provide benefit in-kind (experience)
• Increase employment income

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Keywords

• Training
• Employability
• Food
• Hospitality
• Leisure

Aim

WG13 aims to support people in the local community to gain experience and qualifications. This in turn aids service users move into employment in such areas as the hospitality and retail sectors.

Summary

WG13 is a local restaurant café with an event space and gift shop. It has been set up as a social enterprise offering training and work experience to those in the community who may face barriers to employment. It offers part time courses of up to 26 weeks designed to enhance trainees’ work and life skills. The course is aimed at a diverse range of trainees including those that have additional support needs or face additional barriers to employment. The qualifications gained enable progression, while the support widens opportunities through the provision of support skills which enable individuals to live independent lives within the community.

What difference does it make?

WG13 has helped service users into work and progress in their individual work journeys. It has also provided the local community with a welcoming environment to eat affordable meals and shop for gifts. The hard and soft skills which trainees acquire makes them suitable for a variety of entry-level jobs within hospitality and/or the retail sector, providing them with a ‘head start’ and the confidence to apply for a wide range of jobs. The skills trainees develop foster independent living, progress towards higher education, or volunteering if they are not yet ready for employment.

Key take-aways

• Fostering and promoting active relationships and communication with the local community, and service users, is extremely beneficial.

 

Organisations

Council of Voluntary Organisations East Ayrshire (CVOEA).

Location

Kilmarnock

Contact