Why was the Paid Work Placement programme of interest to you?
We were looking to recruit an experienced driver to help deliver the aims of the People’s Pantry. This placement would have allowed us to expand our collections across the city and increase the amount and variety of food we provide our members. This placement was also of interest as it allowed us to employ someone who faced barriers in employment and provide them with experience and training.
Why did you select your chosen candidate and how have they adapted during their placement?
We chose the participant due to their enthusiasm, keen interest and previous work experience which demonstrated they could fulfill the duties of their post. They also adapted to our needs and helped us with front-of-house operations during Wednesdays which are our busiest day.
What support has the participant received during their work placement?
The participant has a line manager who supports them and holds formal line management meetings with them every 8-12 weeks. The ratio of managers to staff is 4 to 1. The participant also received 2 full days of training and induction at the beginning of their placement to ensure they were prepared for their role. They also attended First Aid training, and we are in the process of arranging Mental Health First Aid training.
What are the participant's aspirations at the end of the placement?
Nancy would like to stay on at the role if funding allows, and to explore more areas where she can contribute to the Pantry’s work.
Are there any highlights or achievements so far from the participant's placement you would like to share?
Nancy has become a real asset to the team and helped tremendously when we had a bit of a crisis in the Pantry before Xmas due to a water leak that brought our ceiling down.
Quote from participant about their placement
“I appreciated the opportunity to get back into employment, and enjoyed gaining new experiences and skills at the Pantry.”
