United 4 Employment Graduates Celebrate Success

13 participants successfully completed the Foundation’s United 4 Employment course and marked their achievements with a celebration event last week.

The programme was delivered at St James’ Park and Walker Activity Dome using the brand of Newcastle United to inspire learning while raising adults’ self-esteem, aspirations and motivation to achieve.

The United 4 Employment programme, funded by ISOS Housing, with support provided by over 30 local corporate partners have helped provide work placement opportunities as well as support for participants during the course.

Following the ten-week programme, four participants have been offered extended work placements, with the support from Henshaws Society for blind people and Morrisons. Two participants have undertaken placements within the administration department at the Foundation, and one participant, David Taws, gained employment at Newcastle City Council.

Ian Watt was also one of the participants on the course who found full time employment. Ian had been out of work prior to joining the course and was feeling the effects of being long term unemployed – loss of skills, low confidence and low self-esteem. As part of the course, he gained nationally recognised qualifications that have value in re-joining the work force such as first aid, food hygiene, leadership and equality and diversity.

One week after passing his emergency first aid training course with St John Ambulance at St James’ Park, Ian had to put theory into practice. When travelling home by bus, a fellow passenger appealed for a first aider after a woman collapsed at the back of the bus.

Ian spoke of the incident:

 “I checked that the lady was breathing as her lips were a grey-blue colour and realised that she was suffering from a seizure.

“I moved potentially dangerous items away from her, removed her neck scarf, protected her head and placed her in the recovery position. I talked to her and tried to reassure her whilst we waited for an ambulance to arrive.

 “Little did I know how important learning first aid would be. It’s so simple to learn and can save lives.”

Last Friday, the Foundation’s senior project officer, Sarah Brown, hosted a celebration event for all participants in order to showcase their hard work and progress throughout the programme. 

She added:

“This course has been a great success, and all of our participants adopted a fantastic attitude to learning. They have all overcome personal challenges, and it is very rewarding to be a part of their success.”

For more information on the United 4 Employment course, please contact Sarah at sarah.brown@nufc.co.uk