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Partners

Please get in touch - we can assist you in finding a job and support you into work.

Job broker agencies
Disability groups
Employment and training
Public authorities
Support Agencies
Voluntary Organisations
Training Programmes
Work Mentoring
Other Links

JOB BROKER AGENCIES

ADVANCE WORKING

Work in Progress (once ADVANCE WORKING) creates real employment opportunities for people in Berkshire claiming Incapacity or Sickness Benefits. It responds creatively to individuals' goals, providing skilled support tailored for each client, and promoting a positive attitude towards disability. Recruitment successes are achieved through recognising the precise needs of the employer.
Website: www.work-in-progress.org.uk

Email: wip@advanceuk.org
Contact: Peter Bryan at peter.bryan@work-in-progress.org.uk or Francis Perkins at francis.perkins@work-in-progress.org.uk .

conTACT

conTACT is a Supported Employment Service specialising in supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities or complex needs who would prefer to work for less than sixteen hours a week or give something back to the community by volunteering. They specialise in the following:

An in-depth Person Centred Planning approach
Employment Profiling - Where clients demonstrate and develop their experience, knowledge and confidence through work tasters, short term work experience and training
Job Coaching
Job Carving - where job roles are identified that people with disabilities can take on, freeing up other staff to concentrate on the key areas of their work.
Long Term support and monitoring in the workplace for both clients and employers.

conTACT is currently running the following projects:

Bus Buddies Travel Companion Project
AdHoc Admin Social Enterprise

Website: http://www.tactltd.org/
Email: contact@tactltd.org

Units 2 & 3
Copthorne Hotel (formally Kirtons Farm Hotel)
Pingewood
Reading
Berkshire
RG30 3UN

Tel: 0118 959 9138

WAYS AND MEANS

The Ways and Means Trust is a charity based at Caversham Reading. We provide a variety of work based training and employment opportunities to adults with physical, disabilities, Mental Health Problems and Learning Disabilities.
We can offer:-

Day placements in our secondary packaging warehouse at Caversham.
Day placements in our Canteen facility at Caversham.
Horticultural Training and certificates in NVQ and NPTC at our Horticultural site; 'Greenshoots' at Rotherfield, Peppard.
Day placements with our cleaning company; ‘Greenboro’.
Work experience Opportunities with Employers in and around Reading.
Supported Employment via our ‘WORKSTEP’ programme.
An Advocacy Service.

We have a fee charging system for some of our services. Most clients that attend for day placements are sponsored by their local Social Services Department.

We have a referral process and accept referrals from individuals, Families, Carers, Nurses and Social Workers. Contact Deborah Davies The Disability Services Manager or her Assistant Karen Tucker; to book an informal visit or for more information.
Email: Debby@waysandmeans.org.uk
Tel: 0118 9481944

RESOURCE

Resource Employment and Training Service: provides advice, information and support to help people with mental health problems return to work, stay in work or change jobs. We can also help find suitable training courses. Resource is also able to give continued support to those with mental health issues, beyond a 6 month period.

4 Waylen St.
Reading, RG1 7RU
Tel: 0118 958 0722

Newbury Resource: 01635 35003
Website: http://www.resource.uk.net/
Email: Liz Halle at: Liz.Halle@resource.uk.net

REMPLOY

Remploy is the UKs leading supplier of employment opportunities for disabled people. We provide jobs and training in all parts of the economy as well as our own factories. We assist people with a range of physical and mental disabilities to find work.

Website: http://www.remploy.co.uk

Remploy
1 Boston Rd, Beaumont Leys
Leicester
LE1 4BB

Tel: 0845 845 2211

WORKSTEP

"Remploy is one of the largest providers of supported employment using the Workstep programme, working closely with Jobcentreplus we offer training and support to ensure that a high standard of preparation and training is provided and that once in a job, the job is sustained."

TRAINING

"Interworks' Skilled for Work programme offers Key Skills training including Confidence Building, Hurdles into Work, Interview and Job Search techniques and Team working. As well as the Generic modules we may be able to include vocationally specific sessions in partnership with employers. Those employers who support the programme will provide visits to their sites, interviews for vacancies, mock interviews and other elements such as customer care or an overview of their diversity policy"

ENHAM

The personal employment advisory service for people with health issues or disabilities who want to return to work

Enham,
Enham Place,
Enham Alamein,
Andover,
Hampshire, SP11 6JS
Tel: 0808 1003134

www.enham.org.uk

SCOPE

Provider of local Workstep
6 Market Road
London
N7 9PW

Tel: 020 7619 7299

Pathways to Employment

Pathways to employment offers a range of up-to-date information for both employers and those wanting to work, including disabled people.
Website: http://www.p2e.org.uk/

Ways into Work

Ways into Work is a generic project which supports disabled people to gain confidence and skills to overcome the barriers they face when seeking employment. We can also help disabled people who need assistance to remain in their current role. Services offered include:

Support into paid employment, voluntary work or work experience
CV Writing
Support with interview skills
Advice on employment benefits
Support in the work place
Information on college courses
Sign-posting to other agencies

We also work with employers and can:

Match the individual’s skills to meet employer’s needs
Provide a job coach to work along side the individual
Support to access funding
Provide on-going support and advice
Support with retention of existing staff that have a disability

For further information please contact:
Laura Davis
Ways into Work Manager
Direct Line: 01628 503339
Mobile: 07876577567
laura.davis@rbwm.gov.uk

DISABILITY GROUPS

Next Step

A free information, advice and guidance service for anyone looking for work or education. Next Step can advise on how to look for the right course or job, provide help with compiling a CV and job application, interview tips and advice on how to update skills.
Website: http://www.berkshire-iag.org.uk/
Tel: 0845 601 8595

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Some of the Job Broker Agencies can offer clients Job Coaching, where the individual is supported in the work place. This can be for a few weeks, or ongoing, depending on the needs of the individual client. However, not all of the Job Brokers can provide this service.

TEA Shop

Training, Employment Advice Shop is open to people from all groups who are unemployed. The TEA offers services such as Career Advice, CV Help and online courses. They also provide free dyslexia assessments and support.
Website: http://www.teashoponline.com/
Tel: 0118 9015210

JOBCENTRE PLUS

The Disability Employment Advisor can assist people with a disability or health condition to find work or training. This is arranged on an appointment basis.

Website: http://www.jobcentreplus.com

Reading Jobcentre Plus
Adelphi House
Friar Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 1HD
Telephone: 0118 9808200

Maidenhead Jobcentre Plus
3 Park Street
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 1SP
Telephone 01628 844900

Newbury Jobcentre Plus
Cromwell House
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 1JB
Telephone 01635 648500

Bracknell Jobcentre Plus
Fitzwilliam House
Skimped Hill
Bracknell
RG12 1JX
Telephone 01344 744800

Slough Jobcentre Plus
Upton Lodge
2A Yew tree rd
Slough
SL1 2AQ
Telephone 01753 615600

These are the contact details of Specialist Jobcentre Plus Advisers helping people with disabilities/health problems

Nick Barber is New Deal Manager 0118 9808313 e-mail nick.barber@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Disability Employment Adviser: James Burkitt 0118 9808233
Email:james.burkitt@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser: Karen Patten 0118 9808259
Email: karen.patten@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser: Lydia Batten 0118 9808294
Email: lydia.batten@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Housemates

Housemates Services Ltd is a Reading based Social Enterprise delivering on-time quality services of housing & estate maintenance, communal area and office cleaning plus construction site waste material management in the Thames Valley. Our social aim is to help people from disabled and disadvantaged groups of society by providing training in employment and trade skills and a real prospect of employment in the construction industry and related trades sector.

HouseMates Services Limited
Unit 11C Weldale Street
Reading
RG1 7BX

Candidates interested in working for for us can contact us at jobs@housematesservices.co.uk

Tel: 0118 959 1950
Fax: 0118 95 0 5112

General Enquiries Email: admin@housematesservices.co.uk

For training related enquiries contact malcolm.stone@housematesservices.co.uk

PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

WORKSTEP

In Reading, this programme is delivered by Ways and Means. Scope's Employment Officers will work with both the disabled person and their employer to ensure that all the person's skills are fully used. This could include working with the employer to make necessary adjustments including providing extra equipment, identifying relevant training and advising on issues such as flexible hours and different job tasks
Website: http://www.scope.org.uk/work/ets/workstep/index.shtml

Access to Work

This programme is run by the Department of Work and Pensions and provides support to disabled people to help them overcome work related problems. The support available will often include money to make reasonable adjustments to enable the client to do their job effectively.
Website: http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/cms.asp?Page=/Home/Customers/HelpForDisabledPeople/AccesstoWork

New Deal for Disabled People

New Deal for Disabled People is a Government programme aimed at people who are receiving disability or health-related benefits. The programme is delivered by a network of Job Brokers who have been cosen by JobCentre Plus. Clients will be assigned to one of these Job Brokers who will work with them to establish the best route into employment and will assist with any barriers the client faces to employment.

SUPPORT AGENCIES

Reading Single Homeless Project (RSHP)

Reading Single Homeless Project (RSHP) provides accommodation and support service to single people in Reading as an alternative to institutional care or supervision. Reading Single Homeless Project also provides training and development opportunities, as well as assisting people to secure permanent and independent accommodation with Reading Borough Council or a Registered Social Landlord. Such assistance by Reading Single Homeless Project is to enable our clients to move onto a fuller and more independent lifestyle.

Website: http://www.rshp.co.uk

The Stables
1A Merchants Place
Reading
RG1 1DT

Tel: 0118 950 7656

British Dyslexia Association

Provides support and information to all those with dyslexia, as well as professionals in health, education and employment. They also have a recommended reading list. Click here for detail of the local branch.

98 London Road
Reading
RG1 5AU

Tel: 0118 966 8271 (helpline)
fax: 0118 935 1927
Email: info@dyslexiahelp-bda.demon.co.uk
Website: http://www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk

B4 Consultancy

B4 Consultancy is a partner organisation with Resource, which
provides expert advice on stress and mental health issues in the workplace, information on the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and Health and safety legislation.

For employers, B4 provides

Training Services on mental health awareness, stress management, the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), workplace policy and practice.

For employees, B4 provides

Support and advice on managing stress and mental health in the workplace.
One to one confidential sessions
Email and telephone support
Signposting to other specialist services
B4 and Resource can continue to support clients to stay in employment, beyond 6 months.

B4 Consultancy
4 Waylen Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG14 5DH

Tel: 0845 3372762
Email:B4@resource.uk.net

Maxine Yeates
b4 Coordinator
4 Waylen Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7UR

Tel: 0118 9580722
Email: max.yeates@resource.uk.net

Berkshire Autistic Society

Contact: Ruth Barlow

Berkshire Autistic Society
Ground Floor
197 Oxford Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 7UZ

Tel: 0118 959 4594
Email: Robert Pasterfield at: robert@autismberkshire.org.uk
Website: http://www.autismberkshire.org.uk

B4 and Resource can continue to give ongoing support, helping those with jobs to keep them.

Social Enterprise Berkshire

Social Enterprise Berkshire is an information, advice and support service for the development of new and existing social enterprises in Berkshire. They help groups with all aspects of setting up a social enterprise e.g. business planning, financial projections, marketing, legal registration etc. Over the past three years they have worked with a variety of enterprises from clothes recycling, to catering, grounds maintenance to community arts.

The Agency also runs a comprehensive business and management training programme, including quarterly ‘Introduction to Social Enterprise’, Train the Trainer, Project Management, Managing Teams etc.

For more information, please contact Social Enterprise Berkshire on 0118 901 5799, email info@seberkshire.org or visit www.seberkshire.org

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

Volunteering Reading is an organization which helps those between 16 and 25 who can do full-time volunteering (30 hours a week) and who
are looking for a challenge. They help develop clients to develop their skills, support them in finding their next opportunity, through job search, CV writing
and other services. Volunteers will receive lunch and travel expenses and full time volunteering will not affect their benefits.

Top Floor
81 London Street
Reading
RG1 4QA

Tel: 0118 951 1718

Email: info@v-reading.org.uk
Website: http://www.v-reading.org.uk

Scout enterprises

Scout enterprises are a non-profit making charity specialising in long-term unemployment. They support people with health problems or disabilities, from minority ethnic backgrounds or who are over 50. They are committed to equal opportunities, specialising in matching the skills of the person to an employers job description, supporting them with no further cost to the employer, and training possible employees to meet employers needs.

Scout Enterprises Limited
Gravelly court
Gravely bridge farm
Grazeley Green Road
Grazeley
Reading
RG7 1lG

TRAINING PROGRAMMES

SCOPE Leadership Recruitment

Leadership Recruitment aims to provide disabled people who are graduates (or of similar calibre) with their first step into a chosen career. Recruitment is carried out once a year.

6 Market Road
London
N7 9PW

Tel: 020 7619 7299
Website: http://fast-track.scope.org.uk/index.shtml

WORK MENTORING

The WELL Centre

The WELL Centre is a registered UK not-for-profit company committed to promoting wholeness and wellbeing at work through innovative staff care, support, training, and consultancy. The WELL Centre offers a unique approach to the issues of Work, Economic Life and Living which is informed by the Christian principles of care, integrity, service and the concept of life as a journey. Drawing on a wealth of professional expertise and spiritual wisdom The WELL Centre programmes and services are offered unconditionally to those of all faiths and none to assist organisations enrich and engage the diversity of the work context.

Website: http://www.well-centre.org/
Email: Svan.beveren@well-centre.org

Tel: 0118 986 4718 / 0791 941 6990