A debt and benefit advice service in Great Yarmouth has been helping people smooth their way back into work.
DIAL, based on King Street, is currently running two employment programmes to help people find work or volunteering opportunities.
The organisation’s Skills Connect programme works with people between the ages of 16 and 24 and helps them with CV writing, interview workshops and further education or apprenticeship applications.
For people over 24, DIAL also runs the Routes to Work service, which helps people with applying for work and voluntary positions through one-to-one appointments with employment advisors.
One person who is currently enrolled on the Routes to Work scheme is Vikki Wood. She and her daughter recently moved to the town from Essex. A sudden change in her circumstances meant that she was without work for the first time in her life.
She discovered DIAL’s employment services while she was at the Job Centre.
"It was a bit bewildering when I first moved here," said Mrs Wood, 47.
"But it has been great to have the support from DIAL. We met weekly at first, but now I’ve started the ball rolling, we’re meeting every fortnight now.
"It’s nice to feel someone is on my side."
In the eight weeks she has been working with DIAL employment advisor David Eagle, Mrs Wood has started volunteering for Home-Start. She hopes the role will lead to paid work in a similar field.
Mr Eagle said DIAL prides itself on having a personal approach to help people find suitable work.
"Every individual is different, and we can adapt to their individual needs," Mr Eagle said.
"Some people just need a bit of guidance, while others need more structured support. It’s really key to what we do and it’s vital for helping people build their self-confidence and get back on the job ladder."
For more information, visit www.dial-greatyarmouth.org.uk
DIAL
DIAL is based at the Kingside charity shop on King Street and is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 4pm.
The employment service, as well as debt and financial advice, is free and confidential.
Laura Goodman, project manager, said: "As a free service, we can dedicate specific time to people without that feeling of a conveyor belt system.
"We establish rapports with our clients and cater to their needs as they attempt to get into employment."
DIAL holds regular information sessions at the Job Centre on The Conge and some of the team will be at a pop-up stand inside Market Gates shopping centre on Thursday, June 8 and 15.
Members from the DIAL team also visit the Great Yarmouth campus of East Coast College on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide information on existing opportunities once studies have finished.
There will be an open event at the service’s King Street base on Wednesday, September 6.
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