We’re excited to announce that we’re launching a free programme for people in Rochdale and surrounding areas to develop skills and employment opportunities.
The project aims to prevent homelessness by supporting people to recognise their potential through a trailblazing, bespoke model of engagement.
Partnering with Liverpool-based training provider, The Learning Foundry, Project 5 is a unique new programme available to adults who are homeless or have experienced homelessness and those who have been affected by negative societal stigma or inequality.
Project 5 will use a person-centred approach to empower participants to recognise that it is their direction, their choice, their future, their way and their journey.
The project will support participants to develop employability skills at their own pace, recognising that everyone has something to contribute to their community, including building confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and digital skills and preparing participants for employment or further education.
Participants will receive a work experience placement of their choice and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated Employment Coach from The Learning Foundry and a Support Worker from Petrus.
They will also be given the opportunity to act as a mentor for future participants, sharing their personal journey and experience.
Our Head of Petrus, Sonia Denham, said: “This is an exciting joint venture, set to change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living in our communities.
“At Petrus, we often support people who don’t consider themselves worthy of a job or education having had too many doors closed on them. Project 5 will enable participants to have safety to set their own goals and come away with belief in themselves.
“Our service users have played a vital role in shaping Project 5, which supports our mission to end homelessness, acting as a preventative measure and equipping individuals with skills and confidence for employment.”
Jo Abraham, Managing Director at The Learning Foundry, added: “We are so proud to be teaming up with Petrus to deliver this joint training programme, which will support service users to achieve their full potential.
“Our team is experienced in supporting learners who have faced adversities and we’re pleased to be working alongside Petrus to expand our training offer into the Greater Manchester region.”
We can't wait to officially launch the programme!
To find out more about Project 5, contact our Service Lead Liz Varey at liz.varey@petrus.org.uk