Sir Oliver recently visited a pilot project in Borehamwood being delivered byClarion Futures to discuss vital community-based employment support initiatives that are helping local residents into meaningful work.
During the visit, Sir Oliver spoke to local residents who volunteer as community champions about the work being done to support individuals in securing sustainable employment. Run by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, the JobsPlus pilot provides targeted, locally-focused employment services aimed at empowering residents and creating opportunities for long-term career success.
Sir Oliver said: “It was truly inspiring to hear the stories of the JobsPlus community champions and how they are transforming lives.
“They’re not only building confidence, but also opening doors to new opportunities and helping individuals find stable, long-term employment. This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when partnerships like this come together for the benefit of our community.”
A significant feature of the JobsPlus pilot is its umbrella approach, bringing together a variety of services in one central hub at Windsor Hall in Borehamwood. This approach makes support more accessible and effective for residents, offering tailored help in a single, convenient location to tackle barriers to sustainable employment such as digital inclusion, financial inclusion and health and wellbeing
Sir Oliver added: “I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the dedicated volunteers who are at the heart of this incredible work. Their passion and commitment to helping others are what make these services so impactful. The work they do makes a tangible difference to the lives of local residents every day.”
The visit reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between local organisations, community groups, and government to ensure that every individual has the support they need to thrive in today’s workforce.
Sir Oliver concluded: “This is exactly the type of community-based approach we need to see more of. I'm proud to support initiatives like this and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will continue to have on the local community.”
Phil Miles, Director of Clarion Futures, said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Oliver Dowden to Windsor Hall to hear about the work we’re doing to support local residents through our JobsPlus pilot. Housing associations have a key role to play in providing tailored employment support, and this new model highlights the importance of a place-based approach, empowering local people and creating pathways to fulfilling careers.”
Backed by a strong evidence base in the United States, the JobsPlus model is now being piloted in ten sites across England, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and supported and evaluated by the Learning and Work Institute, Communities that Work and the Institute for Employment Studies.
Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director of Communities that Work, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Sir Oliver Dowden to the JobsPlus pilot in Borehamwood. It was a great opportunity to show how place-based, person-centred employment support is helping residents overcome barriers and move into meaningful work. We are proud to be working in partnership with Clarion Futures to deliver this programme, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with government and local stakeholders to tackle economic inactivity and promote social mobility across our communities.”
The JobsPlus pilot is running from Windsor Hall on Blyth Close in Borehamwood on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm, and is open to both Clarion residents and others living locally.
To find out more, email [email protected] or visit https://www.communitiesthatwork.co.uk/our-work/jobs-plus.
