European Social Fund in England

‘I jumped at the opportunity’

Mark Brierley was working as a diving instructor in Kenya when a series of problems meant he was forced to return to Britain.

‘I used to have my own business,’ said the 47-year-old. ‘I’d been a diving instructor for seven years when I had a collapsed lung and had to be rushed into hospital. I was there for three weeks and doctors told me I’d never be able to dive again.

‘I had to give up running the business but managed to find a job with another diving company, teaching the classroom side, but not diving.’

However Mark subsequently lost that job and had to return to the UK.

Unemployed, Mark found himself at rock bottom. He was admitted to a hospital in the UK where he was treated for depression.

‘I went through a really rough time,’ said Mark, who now lives near Manchester. ‘I had a bit of a breakdown. Thankfully the NHS sorted me out.’

Five months after leaving hospital, Mark - who is a lone parent to his 13-year-old-daughter - was still without a job. It was then that he heard about the European Social Fund Targeted Interventions programme, run by the Shaw Trust.  

He was put on a short self-esteem course and met with an advisor who helped him to see his strengths and transferable skills, including his considerable business know-how and self-motivation from being self-employed in Kenya.

Mark’s advisor also enrolled him on a basic computing course so that he could learn the IT skills he felt he needed in order to improve his employability.

Within weeks of starting at the Shaw Trust, Mark applied to enter a pre-employment training programme with Tameside Council, with a view to gaining a job as a landscaper at the end of the course. Mark was successful on the training course and was given a one-year contract with the council.

He said: ‘I’ve never liked being out of work and the last 12 months had been horrendous. When I was told about the joint venture with Tameside Council, I jumped at the opportunity.’

Mark now tends the gardens of the 16 acre Stamford Park near Stalybridge, and is studying for an NVQ Level 2 in landscaping alongside his job.

He has also recently applied to the council for a three-year apprenticeship in horticulture, which he hopes to start after his contract ends in April.

‘I’m really liking the job,’ said Mark. ‘I’ve always worked outside and this is the next best thing to what I used to do.’

Project information (October 2009)

The ESF Targeted Interventions programme is co-financed by the Department for Work and Pensions.  It supports individuals back into employment through a variety of ways, including targeted job search help, guidance on interview techniques, confidence-building sessions and provision of training courses.

The main contractor is Shaw Trust, which has received £11.2 million in ESF funding.