WORK coaches are now available at Belgrave Library, to help people get specialist job-seeking support.
Leicester Jobcentres have teamed up with Leicester Libraries to provide a growing team of outreach work coaches in city libraries, providing local people with individually tailored advice to help them find their next role.
It’s the latest expansion of the work coach service in Leicester libraries, meaning there are now eight sessions each week in the city’s neighbourhoods.
As well as work coach sessions at Belgrave Library on Mondays from 10:30am-1:30pm, work coaches are also available at:
- Highfields Library: Tuesdays 11am-2pm. Tel: 0116 299 5494
- St Barnabas Library: Wednesdays 10am-1pm. Tel: 0116 299 5450
- Beaumont Leys Library: Wednesdays 1pm-4pm. Tel: 0116 299 5460
- Pork Pie Library: Thursdays 10am-1pm. Tel: 0116 299 5480
- New Parks Library: Thursdays 10.30am-1pm. Tel: 0116 229 8200
- St Matthews Centre: Fridays 9.30am-12.30pm. Tel: 0116 222 1045
- The Brite Centre: Fridays 10am-1pm. Tel: 0116 299 5476
The service is open to all jobcentre customers and appointments can be made by telephoning the library of your choice, or making an appointment at the library reception. Translation services, British Sign Language and hearing loops can be made available where required.
Work coaches support with jobs, training and solving complex barriers to getting back into work – and they have been getting positive results, as was the case for Highfields library customer Shamima.
After seeing a poster promoting the service, Shamima booked an appointment with library work coach Jay at Highfields Library in January 2022.
She said: “I was on Universal Credit at the time, and whilst I had previous work experience as a teaching assistant, I was struggling to get paid work in this field. As a single parent, it was really important to me that I move forward.
“Jay helped me to update my CV, but I lacked confidence in selling myself in job interviews. Jay helped me to prepare with mock scenarios, resulting in an offer of a job interview for a teaching assistant position at a school.
“She then shared the types of questioning I might experience in the interview, and helped boost my confidence by explaining she saw a passion in me that any employer would value. The end result was an interview I was pleased with a job offer, which was just fantastic!
“Jay’s support helped me to succeed. She also helped to explain to me what in-work support I could expect, to help cover things like childcare costs.
“I would like to thank Jay and library staff for their support. It’s been life-changing for me to gain this role and I would absolutely recommend this service to all those who need a helping hand finding work.”
To find out more, click on the Job Shop button at www.leicester.gov.uk/libraries
(ENDS)
Picture shows Jay (left) and Shamima at Highfields Library