From Community Roots to Career Readiness: The Journey of Learning for Work, Learning for Life

Learning for Work Learning for Life Article + Interview with Dave

Learning for work, learning for life is a programme created through Inspiring Communities Together to empower, equip and ensure people from all walks of life have the tools and support to be successful in not only just work but life. Having started with a general focus on community living in 2012, Inspiring Communities have been able to help 1000s of people from children to the elderly. In current day Learning for Work, Learning for Life has been an extension of an already established ethos and effort towards supporting people who have been out of work or looking for an opportunity to support them on the path towards employment. Work experience through our placement programmes spans across a 5-weeks covering the foundations across each area and giving students a hands-on approach to tasks and working on various projects and tasks that help to build up CV’s and portfolios. 

Each area of work provides a range of options to choose from such as Administration, Childcare, Marketing and Comms & Information and Environmental. Each area of work is designed to provide an environment that reflects the generic working day in those roles so interns have a better idea of what to expect before going into the working world helping students strengthen personal and professional skills that are helpful for the working world and adjusting to the office setting work environment. Both staff and students are well supported as we aim to provide an inclusive environment that accommodates all and provides a place for wellbeing and care. 

Over the 5-week duration this requires 2.5 days in office where students gain digital skills, work-based training, core training. We make sure accessing these programmes are easily accessible through hosting a Work Placement Fair where people can learn more about the programme and talk to the team who provide insights and answers for any questions and queries. The placement fair takes place at the Salford Innovation Forum.

For many young people and adults alike, finding employment and having the right skills and experience is a big issue with many out of work and struggling to secure jobs. This has meant a lack of confidence in many people as there are high barriers to entry in the current work climate. Within the Salford area this is unfortunately the case. As of 2023 studies showed that Salford’s employment rate was 8%, 4.1% higher than the employment rate for England (3.9%). With much effort and initiatives by the Salford Council, there has been progress in the current day to tackle this. 

Through Learning for Work, Learning for Life, Inspiring Communities is on a mission to support people in the search for work and equipping individuals with skills for not only work but for life. We aim to do this one placement at a time making sure every student feels confident and empowered to take a leap into the world of work assured that they can make a difference having gained the experience and skills necessary on our placement programme. One of our most recent placement students on the Administration placement secured an Admin role on the 4th week of the programme.

On the other side of Learning for Work, Learning for Life, our development workers share their personal journeys supporting students on the programme. Our full time Development Worker Dave started out in the community supporting individuals, something he really found fulfilment in and pushed him to go from a part-time worker to full-time. Here is the interview below: 

What started your journey to becoming a development worker?

“On a one day a week programme I worked with the elderly in the community, this was during a post covid research programme in a local community centre. This is where everything began really, it gave me an insight into what a community looks like. We would have cooking, hairstyling, bingo classes and other fun classes. It really opened my eyes to seeing different people’s lives of all ages and backgrounds.”

What was that turning point during the role that made you want to join full time?

“During an exhibition at Salford Museum I was seeing what had been achieved and the impact on people. Seeing and hearing about all the work done at the time, I also realised that it was something I enjoyed, and it aligned with what I valued so I could see myself doing the same things and made the move from part-time to full-time.”

What is the most challenging thing you have faced being a development worker?

“Transitioning from more hands-on, fast paced, and physical jobs to a slower paced and structured office role as someone with ADHD, was quite challenging as I was used to high pressure environments in previous roles. It’s definitely still an adjustment for me. Taking wellbeing walks around the office helps me and an inclusive environment like Inspiring Communities really makes an effort to accommodate not only my differences and needs but everyone that works here too.”

Do you have any positive stories to share since being in this role?

“During a photography project with the Dunhill Medical Trust  ‘Developing Age-Friendly Communities in an Emergent Post-Pandemic World’, I was working with students in the photography programme where they were sharing their experiences on various topics like ‘What helped them feel better during covid?”, “What they missed from Covid”. Each week there would be a new Topic to cover. One great topic was ‘The People that Matter to Me.’ The students took pictures of family and pets that shared great memories with them during that time. Some really positive feedback I got from a student was that I had changed their life as a result of the programme. I look back on that memory fondly.”

What are 3 pieces of advice you would give to someone who wants to become a development worker?

“Have a person-centred approach when dealing with people, understand they are human, and people make mistakes.”

“Be organised because you’re dealing with people’s lives.”

“You can only do so much so don’t be too hard on yourself.”

If there is anything you could change about the role, what would it be?

“I’d say having less paperwork, rather more hands-on work in the community and doing more creative work and projects. I especially enjoy community days where we get people out to do face painting at the nursery with the kids, bingo, exercising with the elderly, tech games etc. We’ve also in the past during these community days have had circus clown acts, violinists, choirs, and song performances. It’s a really great time.”

In Current Day:

“Dave is now a part of the People and Place team at Inspiring Communities Together working as mentor for the Learning for work, learning for life placement programmes helping equip individuals to find work and gain employability skills and life skills too such as CV Writing, IAG wellbeing support.”