Q&A: Creating Enterprise still creating futures during lockdown

Sioned, can you give us a summary of what has been achieved by Creating Enterprise during this lockdown?

• Free online support and training sessions: employability skills, budgeting, 1:1 job search support (creating CVs, application form support)
• Keeping in touch with volunteers: supporting them to access e-learning, reducing isolation by encouraging them to keep in touch
• YouTube channel launched for working families: sharing project updates, tips for families (cooking, crafts)
• Tip sharing on social media – employability
• Supporting Cartrefi Conwy wellbeing team by primarily contacting their vulnerable tenants and carrying out wellbeing phone calls (over 70s, supported housing, Independent Living Schemes), to general needs housing and picking prescriptions and shopping up for vulnerable tenants or the ones self-isolating
• Commercial activities: Boiler servicing and emergency repairs

Here’s Sioned’s second tip for finding the job that’s right for you.

Dyma ail awgrym Sioned ar gyfer dod o hyd i’r swydd sy’n iawn i chi. pic.twitter.com/WEKTRI9OCv

— Creating Enterprise (@CreatingE) April 29, 2020

Are there are particular projects or activity you’ve been particularly proud of?

“The way we’ve been able to adapt our training to make it current and shorter, snappier but effective sessions that can be delivered online 1:1 or to groups. Reaching individuals we haven’t before (who wouldn’t have engaged with us/accessed our support)

Keeping in touch with everyone on our caseloads, from the tenants employed through our Employment Academy to volunteers, and even participants who were hoping to start our Passport to Construction training in March.”

Here’s what’s on offer from our Creating Futures team over the next couple of weeks. Getting involved is as simple as 123:
1. Send us a Facebook message telling us that you’re interested.
2. We’ll give you a quick call back with some very basic instructions.
3. Join in! pic.twitter.com/DEA3ANAYRK

— Creating Enterprise (@CreatingE) April 24, 2020

Did you have to overcome any major obstacles / challenges?

“Ensuring that we continue to provide an excellent service despite current lack of job opportunities, reassuring the people we support that we are still here. Ensuring that the work we do is promoted and reaches the people we are trying to reach, despite being unable to get out/run engagement events.

We have sourced extra grant funding to expand on the services that we can deliver to support the people in our communities who have lost their jobs as a result to the current situation.

• The National Lottery Community Fund top up grant will allow us to employ 2 extra full time members of staff for 6 months who will be providing that support out in the community linking employers who will be recruiting directly with those that are wanting to find employment, providing wellbeing support and mentoring.
• The Volunteering in Wales grant will allow volunteer co-ordinator to recruit, support and facilitate volunteers on a brand new ‘Wellbeing project. There is an increased demand to support tenants with wellbeing calls and to pick up shopping and prescriptions, and this will not be sustainable once deployed current staff members return to their day jobs. This will allow the support to continue and to streamline the services provided for the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Thanks @tnlcomfundwales for additional #NationalLottery funding to continue to help our community during this difficult time by offering extra support, guidance and mentoring to individuals wanting to find work.https://t.co/A9VbHvzwCm @northwaleslive @CartrefiConwy @ConwyCBC pic.twitter.com/1PRg5ZCU0d

— Creating Enterprise (@CreatingE) April 21, 2020

Any there any members of staff / community you would like to give special mention to?

“All the team who are working flexibly.”

Creating Enterprise has received business consultancy support and advice from Social Business Wales;  funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government and delivered by the Wales Co-operative Centre.