Can volunteering lead to jobs? Tracy Fishwick Lauren Bailey-Rhodes

Massive FJF effort in GM 8000 jobs for young people All public partners, many voluntary, community and some private Feedback – YP want jobs! – Confidence – Try a job out side comfort zone – Employer buy-in was impressive

Cultural partners Long tradition of volunteer programmes Variety – festivals, events etc…….. Quality & needs of volunteers paramount BUT are they up to the challenge of ‘jobs’? – Lack strategic links to employers – Employability focused? – Mis-understanding of how / whether to connect with W2W initiatives

So, could we bring the 2 together? Volunteering It’s voluntary Anyone It can last any length of time Roles – set or evolve No employer links No sanctions Can dip in and out FJF Referrals Eligibility Fixed time / hours It was a job Employer led Structured Exit routes

The task Youth unemployment major issue YP want: real work (experience), routine and a reference Get employers involved Link to JCP and Work Programme And provide volunteers for Medieval Manchester – major development At a fraction of the cost…..!!

The Volunteer Programme Medieval ManchesterProviding new opportunity Physical re-ordering of the public realm Increased visitor numbers Open space - events / a new aspect to the city The Cathedral’s businesses – café, retail, guides, archiving Dig The City

New look Medieval Quarter

The volunteer journey

Partners JCP flexible support fund £160k over 3 years – Create 180 volunteer roles for unemployed people – Project management – Health and wellbeing – Volunteer expenses (travel) Manchester College – Employability, Customer Service, Team Work and Presentation skills Employers – Guaranteed interviews – Taster days – Mentoring

1 Day College ½ Day Volunteering Mentoring Inter-personal skills Teamwork Communication skills Taster days Health and wellbeing skills Mock Interviews 10 weeks

Aspirational Futures Seeing the Bigger Picture Moneywise Thoughtful Decision Making Creative problem solving Making Connections Communication Empathetic Flexible Aspirational Resilient Proactive Emotional Intelligence Transferability

When they are ready guaranteed job interviews…

So far… 17 starts; 11 roles created 83% Retention rate 23% into FT employment 56% into FT/PT or fixed term employment £800 pp (av) Personal outcomes: New friends, theatre trip, considering new careers, volunteering with different organisations, explore & confidence

What we ask Employers – Guarantee interviews to volunteers – Apprenticeships & jobs with training – Good work experience Mentors – Can you give one hour a fortnight? Other volunteer programmes – Join the Exchange!!

Tracy Lauren Bailey-Rhodes