European Social Fund in England

‘I feel like I’m living a normal life again.’

Former retail worker Caroline Gosling had been claiming benefits for more than a year before she enrolled on the European Social Fund (ESF) Employment Solutions programme.

The 42-year-old from Sheffield had been made redundant from her job at B&Q in August 2007 and was finding the lack of structure to her day particularly hard.

“Being out of work for such a long time I’d lost all my self-confidence,” said Caroline. “They always say it’s much easier to find a job when you’ve already got one.”

After registering on the programme, which is run by JHP Solutions, Caroline was offered the opportunity to join a Marks and Spencer training course with a view to gaining a seasonal position with the retailer.

“I went on the M&S course, learned about the company and got my first-aid certificate,” said Caroline. “I’d worked in retail before so I was familiar with the customer service side of things but it was interesting learning about M&S.

“Everybody was in the same boat on the course and it really improved my confidence.”

Adrian Plant, project co-ordinator at JHP, said Caroline’s enthusiasm for the training showed that it was “the opportunity that she had been waiting for”.

“Caroline actively took part in all aspects of the course,” he said. “And whilst she was waiting for the M&S programme to start, she asked if she could volunteer on the JHP reception, as she thrives on being busy and appreciates a challenge.

“Caroline’s efforts were appreciated by all the staff, clients and senior management that she came into contact with,” he added.

After successfully completing the training, Marks and Spencer offered Caroline a job replenishing stock in the food department of its Meadowhall store.

“I now work 20 hours a week,” said Caroline. “I’m still on a temporary contract but I’ve been told they’re trying to make it permanent, and fingers crossed I’ll get more hours. I’m up at quarter to four in the morning but the advantage is I’m back for my dinner.

“The job gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Since I’ve got back in the workplace I feel like I’m living a normal life again.”

Caroline’s manager at Marks and Spencer, Jean Oldfield, said: “She has settled in so quickly that I feel that Caroline has been with M&S a long time already.

“She never moans about her workload, she just gets on with the tasks set and nothing is too much trouble. If I ask her to do a little extra, it is not a problem.

“I am trying my utmost to get Caroline’s contract made into a permanent one.”

Caroline added: “Working at M&S has given me self respect and I got top marks in my recent performance review. My life is moving from strength-to-strength.”

Project information (July 2009)

The main contract-holder for the Employment Solutions project is A4e, which subcontracts the work to JHP Training.

JHP has received £627,000 to run the project for three years from July 2008 to June 2011. 1875 people will participate in the project, of which 40% (750) will be helped into long-term employment.

The co-financing organisation is the Department for Work and Pensions.