Would a new job be the perfect Christmas present for you?

Forget slippers and smellies, most people will probably be putting more money at the top of the Christmas list this December.

While you can use an online job site such as Indeed or Monster to search for vacancies there is much more help and support available to you. It can feel isolating looking for work alone (especially if you keep getting rejected for jobs), but our Employment Support Team is here to help support you every step of the way.

There are lots of reasons why you might be struggling to get a job or find a better paying role. Maybe you’ve been out of employment for a while. Or you failed English and Maths at school and need to brush up these skills, get to grips with technology, raise your confidence, or take some English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes if English isn’t your first language.

Whoever you are and whatever help you might need or want, we offer free and friendly support on a one-to-one basis to help you achieve your employment goals.

The Employment Support Team has many different projects that can help you, for example:

• Drop in to one of our TEEM work clubs that take place in various locations across the city each week and our friendly advisors can offer you personal support. This service is just for council tenants.
• Drop in to the Young Adults Employment Hub, offering advice and support especially for 18–24-year-olds. Visit Southampton Central Library any weekday between 10am and 5pm or send an email.
• We can book you on a free employability course, beginner's IT course or confidence and motivation course – open to anyone over the age of 19.
• If you are neurodivergent, have a medical disorder or learning disability we can support you to find work and signpost you to other services who can also help.
• We also work with colleagues and partner organisations to support those receiving support from the Community Mental Health Team or support for substance misuse.

If you don’t feel comfortable going to a work club, we can arrange to meet you in your local community. There is never any pressure to make you do something you don’t want to do; our goal is simply to help you to achieve your own personal employment goals.

It’s tough now, but you don’t have to do it alone!

To find out more simply pop into a work club, call Francesca on 07811 165 129, or if you are claiming Universal Credit please speak to your job coach.