Archive
Lucas was working with Shannon at Invest, and referred to STEP2Work after he left college (doing Brick laying and not enjoying it). Lucas was lacking work experience and wanted to do Step2Work to get into construction in a different trade, however, he was unsure what one.
“I realised construction wasn’t what I wanted to do”
Lucas completed our STEP2Work programme and completed teamwork tasks, met employers, gained a first aid at work qualification, and completed a work placement on a local building site with the groundworks team. Lucas enjoyed his placement working with new people, however decided construction wasn’t for him and wanted to look at roles in hospitality.
“I am happy to now be at college and working”
He applied for hospitality services at college and was accepted for this. Towards the end of programme Lucas went on an employer visit to Nando’s which Lucas enjoyed and made think about in getting a job in Nando’s as it seemed a great place to work. Following the end of formal training Lucas was keen to get a hospitality job to go alongside college. He worked with a Project Worker weekly to apply for roles which he persevered alongside getting prepared for starting college.
An opportunity at Nandos came up and Lucas jumped at it, applying and securing an interview.
Lucas has started college and was successful at interview with Nando’s. He is now working part time alongside college. Lucas is really enjoying this so far!
‘The course helped me realise construction wasn’t what I wanted to do and look at different options, and I am happy to now be at college and working’- Lucas
Jonathan was referred to Barnardo’s Works by Alan Morris at SDS. Jonathan has spent some time with SDS trying to build his confidence and get used to meeting his advisor at the Russell Institute. Jonathan also lacked experience and qualifications. To continue building his confidence, Jonathan started working with Lynsay on our Head2work programme.
Jonathan completed Head2work, during this he took part in a variety of group sessions, completed a money management qualification, and attended multiple activities across Renfrewshire and Glasgow. His attendance was very strong (turning up for every session, always on time) and he applied himself well to this course. Because of this, Jonathan progressed onto our Step2Work programme.
‘Barnardo’s Works got me a job’
On Step2Work Jonathan played a key part in group sessions, gained a first aid at work qualification and met employers. Jonathan continued to attend every session and always approached each day with an open mind and wanting to do his best.
In May 2025 we had an open day to show off our new premises and showcase our service to partner organisations. Jonathan played a key part on the day, telling partners (and even one of Barnardo’s directors!) all about our courses and his experience, this was great to see and really highlighted the progress Jonathan had made.
Following his training on Step2Work Jonathan then completed a 3 week work placement with WH Malcolm in Linwood where he helped out in the warehouse.
Following programme, Jonathan continued to engage with our service weekly, and since started a job in B&M.
Jonathan is enjoying this so far! 😊
‘Barnardo’s Works got me a job. Job done!’ – Jonathan
Jaymie joins our North Ayrshire service having completed an apprenticeship in youth work and helping to run youth clubs across Ayrshire.
Jaymie will be reaching out to young people through the community animation team and providing one to one employability support.
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
