SHOPPERS are predicted to splurge a record £2.48million a MINUTE in next week’s Black Friday sales – but could your cash be better spent?
Employment crowdfunding platform Beam.org is urging us all to use our spare coins to help change a life.
4
Users donate to help fund a homeless person back into work by paying for training, childcare, course fees and work mentors.
Beam members tell their own stories on the site, so donors can track their progress and leave messages of support.
The website aims to rally a homeless person’s local community to help them until they are back in work and financially independent. Donations can start at just a couple of pounds.
Charity Shelter estimates there are 320,000 people without permanent accommodation in the UK, and the site has already helped scores of homeless people, from single mothers to army veterans. Four in five people Beam helps go on to find work in their chosen career.
LONG-TERM HELP
Founder Alex Stephany explains: “How many times have you walked past a homeless person on the street and not known what to do?
“Or offered them food or a hot drink, knowing it would only be a short-term relief?
“Many of them are ready to enter the workplace but face hurdles — whether that’s lack of skills, support networks, or confidence that gets crushed being homeless.
“Beam is a new way to help a homeless person for the long-term. Anyone can now fund employment training for a homeless person, at the touch of a button, giving homeless people the skills to support themselves.” See beam.org.
‘Tremendous help’
DECODA was forced to flee Jamaica in 2013 after her mother was killed.
Unable to work while waiting for residential status and expecting a baby, she ended up living in a residential hostel where a social worker told her about Beam.
After generous donors funded her training, Decoda, 30, from South West London, recently graduated from a Health & Social Care Diploma and is now a support worker helping others in need.
She said: “I can’t thank the Beam team enough for their tremendous help and thoughtfulness, given everything I’ve been through.
“I’m so grateful to the 608 supporters who donated £4,880 so I could do the course, pay for childcare and travel.
“Beam has helped me to turn my whole life around and now I don’t have to worry about paying back my college fees.
“My aim was to have a better life for myself, for my daughter to grow up to see the strong mother that I am and to help others who are going through difficult times like I have. Beam has made that possible for me.
“I’d like to encourage anyone reading this to donate and get a homeless person back to work.”
Party poopers
WORK Christmas parties DO raise spirits – but not enough firms throw them.
4
Almost three in four workers say they are motivated by a festive jolly to work harder, a survey by Christmas Tree World found, and two in five reckon it improves productivity by boosting teamwork.
But only 36 per cent of firms offer a bash, while a quarter avoid festive fun altogether – with no bonuses, decorations or other cheer.
Stephen Evans, managing director at Christmas Tree World, said: “It’s understandable that some companies are unable to offer bonuses, or even a Christmas party as costs can escalate, but it’s surprising how few even put up a Christmas tree and decorations in the workplace.”
Jobspot
OVER 500 employers are taking part in Creative Careers Week to get youngsters into publishing, music and video games.
Find out more at discovercreative.careers
Show drive
BE quick off the blocks to grab a new job – courier firm CitySprint is hiring 500 drivers and other workers to cover the Christmas rush, with jobs on offer right across the country.
4
Paul Gisbourne, chief operating officer at CitySprint, said: “With just a month to go until Christmas, bolstering fleet numbers will allow us to continue to deliver a first-class service.”
Apply at citysprint.co.uk/couriers/christmas-jobs
Jobspot
BRITISH AIRWAYS is offering paid internships in data science and analytics, plus the Future Leaders scheme.
For 2020 roles apply at careers.ba.com
CV with view to a skill
ALMOST 110,000 retail jobs have been lost in the last three years, says the British Retail Consortium.
So we asked Rachel Campbell, of recruitment firm Page Personnel, to share her tips for those looking for new jobs . . .
4
- Stop and take a breath: Finding yourself suddently out of a job can be frightening, and it’s natural to apply for every possible job you can. But taking time to think what you want to do next will benefit you in the long run – you could end up with an even better and more exciting role than you had before.
- Check your CV is accurate and up to date: If you fancy branching out into a new sector or role, reformat your CV to show transferable skills such as communication, organisation, leadership and teamwork.
- Evaluate your skills and experience: Think how they could be applied, by looking at our skills checker tool at pagepersonnel.co.uk/minisite/skills-checker to find a good fit.
- Improve your employability: Use your time to upskill through education or training. Maybe brush up on computer skills or softer skills such as how to speak confidently. Or volunteer for a cause you believe in.
- Network: Speak to friends and other contacts who may be able to make introductions, then approach specialist recruiters.
- Be confident: Learn to talk about your career history and abilities. Practise in front of a mirror or friends.
