Traineeships
Cyrenians are currently in the pilot phase of a new traineeship model to enable them to improve the number, quality and effectiveness of traineeships for people coming out of homelessness. The development stage will need support funding from third parties, but from 2012 we plan to fund from the profits of Cyrenians Social Enterprises. Despite strong governmental interest in social enterprise there is very little practice that uses social enterprise as a vehicle for the personal progression of people coming from a position of severe social disadvantage.
As well as increasing numbers of formal trainees we want to ensure that every trainee gets the very best chance to progress as far as they are able and - whether they achieve settled employment or not - to achieve outcomes that improve their lives and reduce the risk of backsliding into homelessness and other problems. In 2008/09 seven people who might have been considered at the outset as unemployable made their way into settled work as a direct result of involvement in Cyrenians Social Enterprises. By 2012 we aim for nearly ten times that number accessing formal involvement with the Programme and achieving work and/or other clear outcomes.
Tam is a recovering alcoholic who started working with Cyrenians Good Food as part of his rehabilitation programme. He says:
"I didn't think I'd be up to working again. I had mixed feelings when I joined up, but it felt good and I began to look forward to going in every day.
Going straight into full time work would have been impossible for me - I wouldn't have coped. The support I got from Cyrenians helped me get into a routine. To my surprise I found that I could manage. Although you can't mess them around, Cyrenians allowed me to make a few mistakes and stuck with me when I found things tough. That made all the difference.
I've got confidence now, and structure. I know I can handle things without cracking. I'm proud to be working again and I'm beginning to think about a full-time job."