Archive
Ellie left school and was engaging with her career’s advisor; she didn’t enjoy school at all and when she left, she knew her passion was to work with children but didn’t know what steps she had to take to make that a reality
Ellie engaged in our Training for Work Childcare focused programme; an employability support programme that aims to support young people who are keen to learn more about the childcare industry to gain specialised knowledge, build confidence levels, gain relevant qualifications and to take part in a work placement in a real childcare working environment!
“I enjoyed meeting new people and opening new doors for myself and my career path”
Ellie was a strong leader within the group, she encouraged not only herself to give her all to every opportunity presented to her, but she also supported her peers within the group to do the same! Whilst on programme, she confidently spoke to employers within the childcare sector, took part in a Paediatric First Aid course, gained a Food Hygiene certificate, attended workshops focused on ‘The Promise’, child protection and safeguarding, children’s developmental stages, curriculum for excellence, sensory/messy play and she showcased her passion to learn and thrive in both her personal and professional life! Ellie is a care experienced young person herself and knows first hand how important it is for all children and young people to get the correct and appropriate support throughout childhood and adolescence! She wanted to be a positive role model for the children she supports and that’s exactly what she is now!
“she was willing to work hard and undertake all opportunities the programme offered”
Ellie applied for an MA through Carousel Training, she was offered an interview straight away! Ellie engaged in interview prep sessions with her Project Worker and felt confident going into the interview. The interview was a success, and Ellie was offered a trial within a local nursery, it wasn’t long before Ellie heard back from the nursery and of course she was offered the modern apprenticeship! Ellie has now nearly 3 months into her MA and is on track with her qualification and has made strong bonds with both the children and colleagues within the nursery! Well done, Ellie!”
Ellie, Young Person- “I enjoyed meeting new people and opening new doors for myself and my career path! I leant to trust my gut when working with children and learning about The Promise whilst on programme taught me that ALL young people, including care experienced young people and children have a voice, and they should always be heard!”
Erin, Project Worker- “Ellie is an empathetic, passionate and personable young person who has a great sense of humour! I could tell from the first session of programme Ellie’s dream of working within the Childcare sector would become a reality, she was willing to work hard and undertake all opportunities the programme offered! I’m so happy Ellie was offered an MA and that all is going great so far! I’m very proud of Ellie and all her achievements!”
Ryan came to Barnardo’s Works following his friend attending the service and recommending it! Ryan was unsure what he wanted to do career wise, but was interested in mechanics. He was offered a place on our STEP2Work programme.
During Ryan’s time on STEP, he had the opportunity to build his confidence greatly, meet and work with new young people, gain a first aid qualification and the Steps to Work Award. Ryan also met various local employers (more on this to come!) and help plan and run our Open Day for 2024 employability week.
During this Ryan played a key role of facilitating a ‘Snakes and Ladders’ Activity to demonstrate the barriers Care Experienced Young People face, which he was excellent at! He also took part in our Multiply programme alongside STEP at Glenburn Community Garden to build his numeracy skills.
“Ryan showed the importance of keeping an open mind when exploring career options”
During programme, Cairellot Learning Centre came into deliver a session with the group, during which Ryan realised Childcare was something he had an interest in, he loved babysitting his cousins and had never considered this as a career option. This then led to our ELO, Holly, arranging Ryan a work placement with Renfrew YMCA to give him the chance to gain experience working with children and young people and confirm if this is an area of work he would like.
Following completing a successful work placement (which he received excellent feedback for), Ryan attended Cairellot Learning Centre for an interview and trial and was offered a Modern Apprenticeship! He then was offered a position at Carli’s Kindergarten in Linwood.
Ryan recently let ELO Holly know he has had his 3 month probation meeting with his room leader and is progressing well. Ryan thanked the service for the help he received.
‘Ryan has been a great young person to work with and shown the importance of keeping an open mind when exploring career options! It has been great to hear from both Ryan and his Training provider Cairellot that his is progressing well. Well done Ryan!!’
Ami was referred to Barnardo’s works by the job centre. Ami was home schooled so didn’t have a social circle and was sitting at home most of the time and not getting up to much. Ami didn’t know what he wanted to do for a job but he was open to new opportunities and experiences.
After visiting the service Ami Started on our Head2Work course with Big Al. During this he built a routine, built his confidence and got to meet new people (this is something Ami felt was great because he “hadn’t seen anyone in ages”)
“Barnardo’s Works has helped a lot”
On Head2Work Ami also gained qualifications through MYBNK and First Aid.
As Ami did so well on Head2Work he progressed onto our stage 2 provision; Step2Work.
During this course Ami got further opportunity to meet new young people, engage with employers through talks and visits (more on visits soon!), create cover letters, CV and apply to college for Social Sciences.
“I have went from feeling I couldn’t do anything to reaching goals like gaining employment and hopefully going to study!”
The group went on an employer visit to Nando’s at the Linwood Branch, during the session with the Branch Manager Ami impressed with his positive attitude and engagement during the session, because of this he was offered a 16 hr contract on the spot!
Ami accepted the offer and has since started. He is loving it so far! Ami is still keen to go to college in August and hopes he will be able to work and study.
“Barnardo’s Works has helped a lot; I have went from feeling I couldn’t do anything to reaching goals like gaining employment and hopefully going to study!” – Ami
“ Ami has been motivated during STEP2WORK programme, engaging with all tasks to a high standard and always showing a positive attitude! I delighted for Ami securing this opportunity and Nandos and have no doubt he will do great!” – Holly Goldie (Project Worker)
Isla was at school and after being off for a while and decided to leave school during S6. Isla met with her SDS advisor who referred her to Barnardo’s Works for our Barnardo’s Works Best (BWB) programme. Isla hoped Barnardo’s Works Best would help her build her confidence and get into a routine by attending sessions weekly.
“Barnardo’s Works has helped to develop my confidence loads; I feel like different person!”
Isla completed BWB- doing volunteering, gaining qualifications and attending all sessions working within a group. Following successful completion Isla progressed onto our STEP2Work programme. Isla worked well in a group of new young people, completed First Aid at work qualification, volunteered at our open day, took part in team work tasks, attended employer visits.
Isla’s Long term Career goal is to become a history teacher, so after a chat with ELO Holly about routes into this career, decided she wanted to complete a work placement in a childcare setting to gain some experience working with young people. Isla completed her work placement and received great feedback from her employer. Following work placement Isla continued to attend the service weekly , to focus on applying for part time work with hopes of applying to study Social Sciences at College to take her first step towards studying History.
“Barnardo’s helped me develop skills for work and I am looking forward to bringing these into my new job”
Isla has been successful in gaining employment with Flying Tiger in Glasgow and is looking forward to starting this week!
Isla has also applied to study social sciences at college in the New Year, this will be her first steps towards her dream career.
“Barnardo’s Works has helped to develop my confidence loads; I feel like different person! I am more open and good at communicating with others. It helped me develop skills for work and I am looking forward to bringing these into my new job.”- Isla
“It has been great to work with Isla and support her during her time working with us. Her confidence has developed hugely over the last few months and she has shown motivation and commitment to working towards her dream career. Well done Isla!”- Holly, ELO
Brian had left school and didn’t know what to do, he was seeking support to improve his employability skills and gain employment. Brian had a lack of work experience, no personal bank account and no personal mobile phone and would contact via email. This presented Brian with many challenges in gaining employment. Brian then started on our Step2Work programme after being referred by his careers advisor.
“I enjoyed attending Barnardo’s as it was lots of fun and really helped me gain more skills after leaving school”
Brian received support to obtain a personal bank account from his project workers. Barnardo’s applied for a springboard fund to supply Brian a personal smartphone and one months top up, this enabled him to contact employers, project workers and apply for job roles. Brian achieved his First Aid at Work qualification alongside his SQA Step2Work qualification.
He completed a short work placement with Cruden at their Hawkhead site, while Brian enjoyed his placement he found it hard and decided that construction wasn’t what he thought it was. This moved Brians focus to other types of employment.
An opportunity to attend a Nando’s Recruitment Day in Glasgow presented itself and Brian jumped on it. At the event he participated in tasks to learn more about Nando’s and had a small interview on the day. Later that week he was invited back to the Braehead store for a trial shift by the manager. Brian was then offered a 24 hour a week contract as a Back of House member of staff which Brian is very excited to succeed within. Brian now has numerous qualifications gained through Barnardo’s Works and is excited to start his journey of employment in the hospitality industry.
“Brian pushed himself towards every opportunity on the Step2Work course.”
“Barnardo’s Works helped me meet new people and build my confidence in groups and talking with others. I enjoyed attending Barnardo’s as it was lots of fun and really helped me gain more skills after leaving school” – Brian Clark
“Brian pushed himself towards every opportunity on the Step2Work course. I am very chuffed for Brian obtaining employment within Nando’s. I am very happy to be able to have supported Brian to push through the barriers to employment he was facing, and his confidence will only skyrocket from here!”– Project Worker Kayleigh
Kyler finished school in December at the start of S5 and had been thinking about engaging in employability support. Kyler was previously engaging with Invest and SDS. She was then offered the opportunity to start Barnardo’s Step2Work programme, to improve her skills and learn more about career opportunities.
“Barnardo’s Works gave me so much confidence in looking for a job”
Kyler attended the programme and engaged well with the content. She gained her First Aid at Work certificate and her SQA Step2Work award. She completed a 4-week work placement in Jennyswell Nursery as she showed an interest in childcare and received great feedback from staff on her interaction with the children. Kyler was offered a Modern Apprenticeship but decided that she would like to try a different career path for the time being.
“I have a strong CV, and I now know what to expect when going to an interview”
Kyler was supported to attend the Nando’s Recruitment Day in Glasgow with a few Barnardo’s young people; she participated in tasks to learn more about Nando’s and had a small interview on the day. Later that week she was invited back to the Braehead store for a trial shift by the manager. Kyler was then offered a 30 hour a week contract as a Front of House member of staff which Kyler is very excited to succeed within.
“Barnardo’s Works gave me so much confidence in looking for a job and talking to employers, I have a strong CV, and I now know what to expect when going to an interview. My project worker was amazing, extremely patient and helpful throughout the whole course” – Kyler Armstrong
“Kyler has worked really well on the Step2Work course she pushed herself to achieve what she wanted, she always showed up with a can-do attitude and a smile on her face and I believe that Nando’s is a great fit for Kyler, and she will do great in her new adventure!” – Project Worker Kayleigh
Here is a video showcasing our Mulitply Course in Renfrewshire!
If you are interested in taking part contact Ross Williamson on: 07834 106116
Whitbread/Premier Inn and Barnardo’s Works West have teamed up to deliver an employability project which supports care experienced young people, to develop the skills needed to secure work and develop their careers within the hospitality industry.
“I learned all about premier inn employment and development, employee responsibility, employer responsibility and qualities/skills employers looking for”
The aim is to help prepare care experienced young people, aged 16-24, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). In Scotland there are almost 15,000 children in its ‘care system’, but do not tell these children’s stories. Many have and continue to go through deeply distressing and disturbing experiences that are often severely traumatic. The impact can be profound and lifelong. The perpetuation of trauma and failure to support healing where children and families are already experiencing poverty and inequality is reflected in poor outcomes for many who have experience of the ‘care system’. Children living in 10% most deprived areas of Scotland are 20 more times likely to become care experienced (NHS Scotland, 2022). Some children who have experienced trauma, told the Care Review in 2020 that being taken into care and growing up in the ‘care system’ was among the most traumatising experiences they had ever had. This was further compounded by being separated from their brothers and sisters, living with strangers and moving multiple times. Barnardo’s and Whitbread have identified that promoting employment opportunities within the care experienced community in Scotland can help to not only identify hidden talent, but can provide love and respect to those within this community as well, as part of our commitment to the Promise Scotland.
“My confidence and teamwork skills have improved and I’ve gained some experience and willingness to work harder towards my goals”
The first of several hospitality courses, as part of this employability project, was launched in June 2024. This is a 10-week course which aims to improve confidence, mental and physical health, and skills of young people to enable them to achieve their full potential. Whitbread have funded these pre-employment courses for candidates with the aim of a permanent job at the one of their Premier Inn Glasgow hotels. The programme itself has been designed to develop their communication and teamwork skills, while the young people have been able to identify own skills and qualities, as they prepare for their interviews with Whitbread towards the end of the course. The young people have just started the work placements within the Premier Inn Glasgow hotels and are being mentored by several of the housekeeping teams currently employed by Whitbread.
“I am proud of being able to be myself and making others laugh and feel comfortable”
“There is a lot I need to learn about customer service and there are still ways to improve my skills, my placement will help with that”
Project Worker for Glasgow, Adam Ivanski said: “I have really enjoyed being involved with this project so far. The young people we have attending this course are enthusiastic about the opportunities that have been provided by Whitbread, as part of this project, which has really driven their motivation to succeed. This have really inspired me as an employability worker to help them as much as much I can, to prepare them all for their first steps into employment with Premier Inn and Whitbread.”
Jane Waller, Service Manager, Barnardo’s Works West of Scotland said: “The relationship with Whitbread is a new one and it’s been a pleasure to watch it develop. The staff we have worked with so far have been supportive and understanding of the young people’s needs and I’m looking forward to seeing this develop further in the workplace”
Sean engaged with our school programme EXPLORE during his time in high school which his careers advisor referred him to as he wasn’t enjoying school and struggled in that environment.
Sean then left school and engaged on our Head2Work programme, following that he was further supported in our Barnardo’s Works Best programme which led to him gaining a place on Step2Work. Sean gained multiple qualifications during his time with Barnardo’s including First Aid at Work, Vehicle Marshalling, Working at Heights and Step to Work Qualification.
“Barnardo’s helped me get a job, qualifications, cv and interview skills, all the project workers were nice and supportive.”
Image: Sean on Placement with the Food Train
On Step2work Sean completed a 4 week work placement with the Food Train (a charity organisation supporting older people across Scotland with shopping and befriending). Sean thrived in placement and his natural attributes really shone through.
After successfully completing Step2Work Sean gained part time employment at TKMAXX in Linwood which he is very excited about. Sean is also starting a Transitions to Hard Hats course at West College Scotland in August to continue working towards his goal of being a plumber.
“I give Barnardo’s Works West a 10/10. I would recommend Barnardo’s to all my friends.”
Food Train (Placement): “Sean is a very friendly and chatty young man and has been incredibly friendly and helpful to our members who he has supported during his placement with us”
Kayleigh Bissett (Project worker): “Sean has been a lovely young person to work with and has shown great dedication during my time working with him and I am very happy to see him gain part time employment and further education”
Sean Gaffney: “Barnardo’s helped me get a job, qualifications, cv and interview skills, all the project workers were nice and supportive. I give Barnardo’s Works West a 10/10. I would recommend Barnardo’s to all my friends.”
Tegan first engaged with Barnardo’s on EXPLORE- a school transition support programme, as she didn’t enjoy school at all and wanted to leave, but, wasn’t sure on what to do after school.
“I wasn’t too sure about the course at first, but I went back every week and realised Barnardo’s could help me get a job when I leave school.”
After leaving school Tegan started Barnardo’s Stage 2 STEP2WORK Programme. On this course she engaged in personal development, generic employability and childcare sector focused sessions. Tegan also engaged in many employer talks, employer visits and volunteered within the local community. Tegan gained a First Aid at Work Qualification and a SQA Step to Work Qualification. Her confidence and self-belief has grew massively, as well as her timekeeping and interview skills!
During an employer talk with Cairellot on week 3 of STEP2WORK Tegan spoke to Cairellot management and explained she was planning to participate in a work placement at a local nursery and asked if she could apply for an MA through them! Cairellot explained she would be offered an interview if the placemwnt was successful. After she smashed the placement and interviewed with Cairellot … she was offered an MA the same day! She is now completing her MA at the same local nursery she completed work placement with working with children from newborn-5 years old!
“I am now working full time as a childcare apprentice. I’m looking forward to getting my full qualification and I know I’ll work really hard to get that!”
Tegan- Young Person- “I first went to Barnardo’s when I was in school and about to leave school. I wasn’t too sure about the course at first, but I went back every week and realised Barnardo’s could help me get a job when I leave school. I left school with no plans but remembered about Barnardo’s and the help they could give me. So, I text my project worker about courses. For 8 weeks I did the step2work programme. I learned that I work great in a team, got qualifications and even had a bit of fun. A childcare employer did a talk, from then I knew childcare was something I wanted to do. I then got a childcare work placement that went really splendid, I then interviewed with them and I was offered a place on the spot! I am now working full time as a childcare apprentice. I’m looking forward to getting my full qualification and I know I’ll work really hard to get that!”
Erin Project Worker- “I have worked with Tegan from her first day of EXPLORE- the school transition support programme, until her first day of employment. It’s been a joy and an honour to watch her confidence, self-belief, dedication and resilience go from strength to strength to strength in that time and I know it will continue to do so in her workplace! I’m so proud of Tegan but more importantly I know Tegan is so proud of herself too!”
