Workways project helps get Mark back into work after 14 years jobless


A Llanelli man has transformed his life after being helped to get his first job in 14 years.
Mark Simlett had been the sole carer for both his parents for many years, and after his father’s death continued to care for his mother.
When his mother passed away in 2009, Mark was hit hard.
He said: “For a long time I was very lost. Looking back, it was a scary place to be – I had to dig deep to get through each day.”
Despite his best efforts to gain stability by finding employment, 54-year-old Mark had been out of work for so long he was unable to get any job interviews.
As a result, he turned to Workways for support and thanks to them has now secured two cleaning jobs – one with CBSA for Business and Social Action and one with Five Roads Primary School.
South West Workways, an EU-backed employment project, helped Mark through a confidence building course; training and CV assistance; support to search for job vacancies, and access to a paid temporary job which gave him the vital experience needed to find employment.
Mark added: “Workways helped me to work out the right choices for my career. It meant a lot to know there was always someone there to help me if I had a problem or if I wasn’t sure how to fill in an application form. The confidence they gave me made a massive difference.”
When Mark secured a pair of cleaning jobs, he said that to say he was pleased was an understatement.
“It’s a freedom to know that I’ve got a job to go to,” he said. “To know that my finances are going alright and to know that I don’t have to worry any more. I’m ready for tomorrow now - before it was the opposite.
“Workways really turned it around for me – they’ve been a Godsend. Rather than what can you do for them, it was always a case of what can they do for you,” he said.
Workways mentor Martin Morgan said he was full of praise for how far Mark had come with the project.
“We had faith in him and knew he’d get there in the end,” he said. “Initially, Mark didn’t believe in himself but gradually it changed – he now has confidence he can do it.”
South West Workways provides support to help people overcome the barriers which prevent them from finding work.
The project is backed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government and is led by Neath Port Talbot Council in collaboration with Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, Pembrokeshire and Swansea Councils.
For more information about Workways call 01554 744322 or visit www.workways.co.uk

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Former Gower MP Gareth Wardell the guest speaker at Llanelli Rotary Club

Image
Former Gower MP Gareth Wardell was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club held at the Stradey Park Hotel. Mr Wardell gave an illuminating address, weaving comparisons between his job as a politician and his late father's job as a Tumble barber. It was an amusing, highly-entertaining and thought-provoking address. Mr Wardell, now 69, won the Gower constituency seat in a Parliamentary by-election in 1982. The Labour MP held the seat until his retirement in 1997. He now works as a public affairs consultant in Wales. Mr Wardell's Parliamentary term was largely in opposition to Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government. But his did make a significant contribution by being the youngest MP to chair the Welsh Affairs Select Committee. Mr Wardell recognised that in the 'fame stakes' he may have played second fiddle to his father, Jack, who was one of the UK's oldest barbers and who cut and styled hair for almost 80 years. Jac
Read more

'Class of 1980' from Burry Port enjoy reunion

Image
There was a big class reunion held in Burry Port at the weekend. Members of the Class of 1980 from Porth Tywyn (Burry Port junior) School got together at The Coasting Pilot pub. The reunion was organised by Christine Rees and same 22 members of the original class of 28 turn up to discuss their old schooldays. One ‘Class of 1980’ member was Burry Port businessman Owain Davies. He said: “We all have very happy memories of our time in school. We had a fantastic teacher in Mr Heddwyn Jones, who now lives in Four Roads. “We were very fortunate to have the same teacher for three years and we were a very happy class. Mr Jones was an inspiring teacher and we all got on every well and we are all still good friends. “Heather Thomas (now Heather Osmond) made it from Surrey, but she was trumped by Gail Morris, who flew in from Ohio in the United States for the reunion. “It was a fantastic evening at the Coasting Pilot with good food, good wine and good company. We even recreated the class
Read more

Lauryn Davey is making her mark in athletics - but needs sponsors

Image
Ammanford-based Lauryn Davey is making a major mark in the world of Welsh athletics. At just 16, she is the best all-round athlete of her age in Wales. She's chalking up Welsh championship victories and has been honoured by her club, the Carmarthen Harriers. Lauryn's been earmarked as a future international star, but knows the road to the big championships is difficult, demanding and expensive. Ammanford businessman and well-known comic entertainer Phil Evans has launched a campaign to get cash backers for Lauryn's athletics career. "Everyone in the area is hugely proud of her achievements in athletics to date," said Phil. "But we also want to see her go on and do bigger and better things. "Together with some friends, I am helping find ways of generating much-needed sponsorship cash for Lauryn. "She has massive potential to succeed on the international stage and I am sure a little bit of financial help will help to smooth her
Read more