A4e launches free Work Clubs in Derbyshire and the North East

Job seekers in Hartlepool, Newcastle and four locations in Derbyshire are to benefit from a free, new service to help them prepare for and find work, as A4e launches its first Work Clubs this week.

Staff at A4e are going the extra mile by volunteering their time to run new Work Clubs in the Ilkeston, Alfreton, and Normanton areas of Derby, Derby itself, as well as Hartlepool and Newcastle. Here, they offer an open door to anyone looking for work. The new Work Clubs run as follows:

• Derby A4e. Level 4, Victoria Chambers, London Road,Derby, DE1 2PA
• Ilkeston A4e, Rutland Mill, Market Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5RH
• Alfreton A4e, Genesis Centre, King Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7DQ

At Derby, Ilkeston and Alfreton, they Work Clubs run Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 2pm for the first two weeks, and may extend to evening hours if necessary.

• Normanton (in partnership with local charity JET), – Wednesdays from 2.00pm to 4.00 pm, on a drop-in basis, JET’s offices at 284 – 286 Normanton Road, Normanton, Derby DE23 6WD.

Normanton is one of Derby’s most deprived areas, which includes a total of 81 different languages spoken by its ethnically diverse population. This Work Club draws on the mutual expertise of JET and A4e.

• Hartlepool – from Wednesday 12 January, 5pm to 7.30pm, at the A4e office, Park Tower, Park Road, Hartlepool, TS24 7PT.
• Newcastle – Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and on Thursday evenings 5pm to 7pm, at Technopole, Kings Manor, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6PA.

Visitors will find a wide range of support and guidance to help improve their job prospects, including training in job-seeking, CV sessions, mock interviews and confidence-building, and any other relevant support as required.

The Work Clubs are the latest among a wide range of A4e’s services in Derbyshire, and the North East to help improve people’s lives.

A4e Derby Branch Manager Niki Freeman will be over seeing the Derbyshire Work Clubs with her team of staff. Niki said: “It doesn’t matter where a person thinks they are on their journey towards getting a job, nor how long it might be since they had one – helping people along this journey and into work is what we do best. On top of that, they’ll find a friendly face and a free cup of tea.

“We are delighted to launch A4e’s first Work Clubs as we’ve been wanting to offer something to everyone, as an extra to our core business. I encourage people to come along and find out what we offer.”

A4e services to thousands of people every day also includes helping people gain qualifications, confidence and self esteem, work experience, access to training and new skills, and ultimately sustainable employment.

Bob Kendall, Acting District Manager for Jobcentre Plus in Derbyshire said: “Work Clubs are a part of the Get Britain Working initiative which has been introduced to help people who are currently out of work move back into employment. These Work Clubs will offer job seekers a place to meet, exchange skills, share experiences, find opportunities and get support in their return to work. We will make our customers aware of the Work Clubs in their local area”.

For more information about any of the Derbyshire Work Clubs, please contact Niki Freeman, 01332 542800 or Nfreeman@A4e.co.uk, for Hartlepool, please contact Sheena Beedle on 01429 858 920 and for the Newcastle Work Club, please contact Michael Crompton by telephoning 0191 2610778.