PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTOS

ENERGY2WORK AFTER WOOLLIES   

Having spent most her working life employed at Woolworths, Swindon, Christine Lunniss’confidence was severely undermined when the company folded and she was made redundant.

Christine 32, has moderate learning difficulties but with the help of Swindon Borough Council’s award-winning Energy2work programme and Swindon Marriott Hotel’s flexible approach to job interviewing, she has not only secured a new job but is proving so useful she has been given extra responsibilities.

Energy2work is a unique and ground breaking project, supported by the Skills Funding Agency through the European Social Fund, that helps people with disabilities or health conditions develop the kind of skills that employers need.

During her time with Energy2work, Christine was helped with CV writing and completing application forms, she learned interview techniques and improved her numeracy skills.

She said: “I found the programme very useful. It not only helped me find a job but it got my confidence back up because being made redundant really brings you down.”

Christine applied for the job of kitchen porter at the Marriott and was invited for interview.
To ensure she did herself justice, the hotel’s Director of Operations, Michael Downie, not only talked to her about previous work experience but also invited her to work a trial shift.

“She did a good job at the trial and that’s why we offered her the position on the spot,”explained Michael. “We’ve now developed her job responsibilities to include working in the staff canteen.”

Joanne Taylor Stagg, General Manager of the Swindon Marriott, said: “Christine is excellent. She is conscientious and has high work standards, but on top of that she’s really pleased to be working again. Her enthusiasm and pride in her work are contagious.”

Project Manager for Energy2work, Ann King said: “Christine came on our course last October and showed great persistence in her job search. She was also an inspiration in that she remained cheerful throughout.  We’re delighted she has settled in so well at the Marriott.”

Dr Paul Pettigrew, Head of Provider Accounts for the Skills Funding Agency said:
“Christine’s story is one of many examples that proves how effective and successful theEnergy2work project is and what a real difference it is making to people’s lives.”

For more information about the Energy2Work project, please contact Ann King on 01793 548063.

Ends 17 September 2010

Photo (by Bernie Pettersen)
03\06: Thanks to Energy2work, Christine Lunniss now has a job she really enjoys at the Marriott Hotel in Swindon

Media enquiries:  Sue Bradbury PR Tel: 01872 863863

Notes to editors
European Social Fund (ESF)
The European Social Fund is investing in jobs and skills – especially for people at a disadvantage in the labour market. Between 2000 and 2006, the ESF helped over four million people in England. In 2007, the EU launched a new round of ESF programmes for the seven years to 2013. The new programme will invest £5 billion over seven years of which £2.5 billion will come from the ESF and £2.5 billion will be national funding

Skills Funding Agency
The Skills Funding Agency funds and regulates adult further education skills in England.  It is responsible for channelling funding swiftly, efficiently and securely to further education colleges and other providers, primarily in response to customer (employer and learner) choice on programmes such as Train to Gain. It will operate through customer focused services: National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Employer Skills Services, Integrated Adult Careers Service, Learner Skills Services. The Skills Funding Agency is an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Christine with Marriott Executive Chef Andy Bobowski	Christine at the Marriott in Swindon

PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTO

FISH CHIPS AND FASHION

This season’s fashions, fish and chips, a glass of wine and live music are all on offer to provide not just excellent entertainment but raise funds for an award-winning project that helps people with disabilities and health conditions develop skills to find jobs.

John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway, will join forces with Swindon Borough Council’s Energy2 team on Thursday, September 30, to stage a very special fashion show. It will feature the store’s autumn and winter collections modelled by store fashion consultants.

Andy Merryweather, the pianist with local rock band, Sleeping with Giants, has offered to provide suitable live music to make sure the evening goes with a swing.

Energy2 Project Manager, Ann King, said: “It’s all very exciting and looks like it’s going to be an extremely enjoyable evening. We need to raise funds for the project to supplement the European Social Fund money that we receive through the Skills Funding Agency so, when a personal shopper at John Lewis offered to provide the fashion side of the show and the models we jumped at the opportunity, especially as we have the ideal venue.”

Energy2 has a holistic and highly motivational approach to training aimed at helping disabled people find work and helping employers find employees with the right skills for them.

The programme aims to develop skills that employers look for, offers a recognised qualification, teaches team skills, helps learners take control of their lives and supports them in their search for a job. It includes an eight week work-placement, which gives an opportunity to put new skills into practice and can be included on a CV.

Dr Paul Pettigrew, Head of Provider Accounts for the Skills Funding Agency, said: “This fundraising event reflects the energy, commitment and enthusiasm that goes into running this outstanding project, which benefits so many people.”

The Energy2 team and learners, who will all be helping out on the night, are already working hard selling tickets and making final preparations. The tickets cost £10 each and include a fish and chip supper and a glass of wine, to be served at 6pm. The show itself will begin at 6.30pm.

It will all take place at Energy2, Unit 3, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon, SN2 2QJ.

For more information and to buy tickets please contact info@energy2.co.uk
and telephone: 01793 548060.

Ends                                    16 September 2010

Photo (by Bernie Pettersen)
009:  Energy2’s Supported Employment Project Manager Ann King, Maria Parsons and Christopher Barnes with the fashion show poster

Media enquiries:  SBPR Tel: 01872 863863  E: sue@suebradburypr.com

Notes to editors
European Social Fund (ESF)
The European Social Fund is investing in jobs and skills – especially for people at a disadvantage in the labour market. Between 2000 and 2006, the ESF helped over four million people in England. In 2007, the EU launched a new round of ESF programmes for the seven years to 2013. The new programme will invest £5 billion over seven years of which £2.5 billion will come from the ESF and £2.5 billion will be national funding

Skills Funding Agency
The Skills Funding Agency funds and regulates adult further education skills in England.  It is responsible for channelling funding swiftly, efficiently and securely to further education colleges and other providers, primarily in response to customer (employer and learner) choice on programmes such as Train to Gain. It will operate through customer focused services: National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Employer Skills Services, Integrated Adult Careers Service, Learner Skills Services. The Skills Funding Agency is an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.