Barnet residents can receive a hand back into employment with a new work club which has been launched in Burnt Oak.

The work club, set up by Barnet Homes, meets fortnightly to offer people support in finding long-term employment and guidance on taking steps towards this. A range of partners who recognise the need to support local residents are involved.

Experienced employment advisors and local volunteers from the Barnfield Children’s Centre are on hand to help residents with searching and applying for a job. This includes tailored advice and information on gaining new skills and work experience, as well as guidance on writing a CV and tips on where to look for vacancies.

Attendees are also able to make use of computers with free internet access to search for vacancies online.

Eugenia Mmireku, from West Hendon, came along to one of the first sessions to find out about job websites and how to market herself, She said: “I found it really helpful and now I can make a start on my CV. I got a lot out of coming to the work club, including lots of information, job websites to look at and pointers on how to sell my skills and experience in my CV.”

The work club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 9.30am to 11.30am at Burnt Oak Resource Centre,102 Watling Avenue, Edgware HA8 0LN.

Barnet Homes is also introducing a Next Step coaching programme to give Burnt Oak residents one-to-one support on issues ranging from financial advice and lack of confidence.

Barnet Homes Chief Executive, Tracey Lees, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to enlist the support of several organisations and local groups to run the work club and coaching programme.”

“There’s little doubt that the government’s welfare reforms are going to impact on more people in Burnt Oak than any other borough in Barnet. It’s important we do all we can now to support people back into work through initiatives like the work club, so that they can continue to make ends meet.

“We’ll continue to work hard to support the people we serve – in Burnt Oak and elsewhere – with training opportunities, apprenticeships and financial support through our ongoing ‘Feeling the squeeze?’ campaign.”

A range of other initiatives are expected to be introduced with the support of Barnet Homes’ partners, which include:

  • International Gospel Church
  • Barnet and Southgate College
  • Barnfield Children’s Centre
  • Edgware Job Centre Plus
  • Burnt Oak Christian Fellowship
  • Burnt Oak Safer Neighbourhood Team
  • North Road Community Association
  • Barnet Council.

Ongoing information about initiatives in Burnt Oak can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Loveburntoakand Twitter@loveburntoak. Residents can also email loveburntoak@gmail.com.