After recognising high unemployment rates in Oldham due to a lack of experience and resources, Action Together worked in collaboration with LocalMotion and began early discussions with the Job Centre about creating a project to enable people in Oldham to develop skills,. The initial aim was to provide a service - a different way of working with people to make a real difference.
Thus, a pilot project, Volunteer Pathways to Employment, was launched in 2023. This pilot saw the development of a new role based at the Job Centre, designed to empower over-50s who were struggling to find employment to gain new skills through volunteering, which would in turn give them a greater chance of securing employment. The ideal candidate for this role was someone with lived experience of volunteering who could highlight its importance and benefits to those struggling to find work. Aga, Volunteering Officer at Action Together, was then recruited for this role.
Introducing Aga at the Job Centre
Aga strongly resonated with the aim of the project, as she too had struggled to find employment but had actively volunteered as a way to gain new skills and contribute to her community. The role was initially quite challenging for Aga, as she did not have experience in a similar position, but she rose to the challenge. She was able to relate to the people visiting the Job Centre, as she saw herself in them. She understood the importance of promoting volunteering to Job Centre clients and professionals alike.
The practical first steps of this pilot saw Aga making her presence known within the community, to clients, and to professionals supporting people into employment. This included filming an introductory video, meeting with work coaches to establish her role, and joining over-50s sessions.
Building trust and breaking barriers
As this was a pilot project, Aga did encounter challenges and barriers. Many Job Centre clients did not initially appreciate the value that volunteering could bring to developing new skills or the purpose of Aga’s role. Aga addressed this through open conversations, sharing her own story, and recognising that even partners’ ways of working could sometimes negatively impact clients, making them averse to the idea of volunteering. She realised that people simply wanted to be heard and treated with empathy and flexibility. This gave Aga the opportunity to build strong foundations of trust, helping clients see that her intentions were genuine.
Starting to see a change
A few months into the project, Aga saw her first success with a client who started volunteering being offered a role at the Job Centre itself. From this client originally having confidence issues to then finding employment, Aga realised very quickly that if this could happen to even a handful of people, a missive difference could be made in Oldham.
Aga shared, “You start to see a change in people, that they can find that change in themselves. It was reassuring to see how people can develop and thrive, and it inspires you to do more!”
A positive shift began to emerge, with people starting to believe in themselves and recognise the values Action Together aims to instill to empower them.
Growing beyond the pilot
What initially started as a pilot for over-50s soon evolved into a project for everyone in Oldham seeking employment, regardless of age or background. Aga became increasingly involved with a variety of organisations supporting unemployed individuals, and her presence among work coaches became well known due to the project’s success.
Two years after the pilot was launched, Aga has supported nine people into employment through volunteering. She has received highly positive feedback from those she has supported. People feel happier, more grateful, and able to see positive change in their lives.
Looking to the future
Aga can now reflect on the project and highlight the importance of networking with other organisations, facilitating sessions within established structures, and reaching out to groups. Strength was found in working together. Recognition from funders also helped Aga feel the value of the project.
As Aga looks to the future of the Volunteer Pathways to Employment project and her role at the Job Centre, she aspires to develop a more structured programme, including support with job applications. She hopes to empower many more people to realise their potential and see volunteering as part of their journey.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to help people further, working towards a stronger and more stable Oldham. The potential is so much bigger, and we can do so much more!”
Abigail's Journey
After struggling to find employment in the UK, Abigail was able to find volunteering opportunities thanks to support from Aga. Watch the video below to see how volunteering helped Abigail secure paid employment.