The Race2Discover project also helps those who have been made redundant. For some it can be a drastic change that pushes them out of their comfort zone of employment with a steady income. For example, they can find themselves suddenly faced with hardships that have an impact on their personal lives and family relationships. LTM’s customised one-2-one mentoring helps to keep them motivated and, above all, helps them explore alternative but realistic career choices and goals. It is all too easy for people to lose focus and confidence which can lead to a downward spiral of mental health issues such as depression. The mentoring support helps them discuss their issues and reminds them of the gifts and talents they have.
One of the successes of the project has been the ability to engage the hard-to-reach into the programme. In fact the project has been so successful that they have exceeded their target numbers of 125 participants 15 months into the 24-month programme. Race2Discover provides additional support in partnership with Bedford Jobcentre Plus, where volunteers are on hand to advise and invite those who could benefit from the programme to come along.
LTM provides outreach support as it is essential to go out into the community to reach people rather than expecting them to come to you. LTM markets its provision through leaflets that are placed in community centres, corporate organisations, libraries, and the Jobcentre, partner organisations and its strong networks.
Another key feature to the Race2Discover model’s success is that those who join the programme often discover skills that can be used for the benefit of others within the programme – they become volunteers. Many who volunteer at the Jobcentre are people who have come into the programme in the same way – through being unemployed and looking for work.
