Archive
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!”
Ryan had just finished a college course in the summer. He had been applying to jobs and getting interviews, however to this point he had been unsuccessful. This took a toll on his self-esteem and he became worried he was not going to find a job.
Ryan wanted something that would help him and keep him motivated.
Ryan began working with Barnardo’s Works in October 2023. He worked on our Stage 1 programme Barnardo’s Works Best and Head2Work programme. On these courses he gained his first aid at work through First Aid Matters and his money management qualification through MyBNK.
“Ryan showed great dedication during the course”
Ryan attended every meeting with motivation to get the best he could out of the programmes. Ryan volunteered with a local sports group doing coaching, which he enjoyed doing alongside his football hobbies outside of the programme. This helped him grow in confidence to talk about these skills and qualities at various interviews. Ryan was a team player within the social activities and showed great enthusiasm in his time working with Barnardo’s Works.
“this helped me build my confidence and made me feel good about myself”
After successful interview Ryan gained employment as a Leisure Attendant with OneRen. A job that he was very excited about gaining as it is within his desired interests of sport and football.
“Ryan is the perfect example of why you should never give up”
Ryan: “I enjoyed working with Kayleigh and Ross on both 1-2-1 and social activities this helped me build my confidence and make me feel good about myself”
Kayleigh (Barnardo’s): “ Ryan showed great dedication during the course and worked well within his 1-2-1s and was always enthusiastic during social activities, Ryan worked hard and I am very proud of his outcome of gaining employment within the leisure industry”
Ross (Barnardo’s): “Ryan is the perfect example of why you should never give up, regardless of what you feel may be holding you back”
Our first Step2Work group of 2024/25 told us about their experiences and hopes for the future at their celebration event!
Jayden first engaged with Barnardo’s Works when he was in S5 at Castlehead High School. Jayden was wanting to leave school but was not quite sure what next steps would be.
Jayden started Barnardo’s EXPLORE programme while still at school, this introduced him to Barnardo’s Works and staff, Jayden successfully completed EXPLORE, showing up consistently, after not attending school.
Jayden chose to leave school at Christmas, and, after successful interview came onto our STEP2WORK course.
Jayden is very into sports and is a keen amateur boxer.
“Barnardo’s Works allowed me to meet new people, gain qualifications”
While on the STEP2WORK Programme Jayden gained qualifications; Step to Work Award, Personal Money Management and First Aid at Work. Jayden met new people and built new friendships.
Jayden explored different career options and sectors during his time working with us, and decided sport and fitness industry was the path he wanted to take.
Jayden applied to go to West College Scotland on their entry into sport and fitness programme starting in August. Jayden successfully secured his space.
As part of his course Jayden completed a 4 week work placement through ONEREN which Jayden received excellent feedback for. ONEREN were advertising for part time leisure attendants, as Jayden was doing so well they encouraged him to apply.
“I was introduced to staff at One Ren which has allowed me to get a job following my work placement which I really enjoyed. This has allowed me to start my career in sport and fitness.”
After successfully interviewing Jayden gained the position as leisure attendant job with OneRen.
“Barnardo’s Works allowed me to meet new people, gain qualifications as well as being introduced to staff at One Ren which has allowed me to get a job following my work placement which I really enjoyed. This has allowed me to start my career in sport and fitness.”- Jayden
“Jayden has shown dedication throughout his time with Barnardo’s Works and has progressed hugely throughout his time on programme and after. I am delighted for Jayden securing both a college place and employment- well done!”- Holly, ELO
