Advocacy Information & Advice—Employment & Careers Guidance

Finding employment and careers guidance

For the address of your nearest Jobcentre, which has job vacancies, look up Employment Service in the telephone book. The Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) at Jobcentres is specially trained to help you deal with problems associated with disability or illness, including mental health problems.

There are also projects and groups which provide sheltered work and rehabilitation and help with self-employment.

Many people with mental health problems find that volunteering is rewarding in itself and can be a way back into mainstream employment. The volunteer centres and bureaux match volunteers with organisations. In addition, it is worthwhile approaching local voluntary groups direct.

Careers guidance

For further information, advice and guidance about training and work opportunities, please contact the following agencies.

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to help adults consider their learning and work options is available from a number providers in the Huntingdonshire Area.

If you would like to know about where you can begin to learn a new skill, improve an old one or maybe just learn more about something you enjoy then contact one of the IAG Partners listed below. You can also contact the National Helpline (Learndirect) on 0800 100 900 or check out www.cambsiag.org.uk or www.camlearn.net

Help is also available to anyone who wants to consider returning to work, moving to another job or changing career.

Cambridgeshire Libraries contain a wealth of information on learning and work, just come in a browse. If you do not see what you need, ask.

Local Contacts

Castle Project Workshops
Unit H, The Paddocks
347 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 8DH

Tel: 01223 413203

Rehabilitation through work for people recovering from enduring mental health problems in a supportive commercial setting. In order to comply with DSS benefit regulations, people receive a voluntary payment at the discretion of management, and travel costs are reimbursed. People can attend two to five days per week.

Connexions
20 Benedicts Court
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE29 3PN

Tel: 01480 376000
Email: connexions.huntingdon@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Website: www.purplepigeon.net
www.connexions-direct.com

Connexions is the place for 13-19 year olds to find opportunities, information support and guidance. Advice and guidance for young people includes help with career decisions and career plans, choosing the appropriate courses, training opportunities and a job vacancy service for 16-19 year olds.

Services for adults can include help with considering career change or development, returning to work, techniques for job hunting, assessing your skills, CV writing and review or advice on training or study options. Everyone is welcome to use the careers library for information.

Contact the above address for details of your local Connexions office or Christine Parsons, Adult Guidance Adviser, on 01480 376007.

Huntingdon Jobcentre
2-6 Hartford Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3PB

Tel: 01480 322000
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

They are open Mondays to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm and Tuesday 10.00am - 5.00pm.

Huntingdonshire Regional College
California Road
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE18 7BL

Tel: 01480 379100
Email: college@huntingdon.ac.uk
Web: www.huntingdon.ac.uk

The college provide the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects with many leading to a qualification. Courses available include basic skills, literacy and IT together with vocational, work - based learning. Students have access to careers education and guidance to suit their needs and many courses may be tailored to specific requirements. Student counsellors are available to provide support and advice and the college benefits from a comprehensive library, parking and nursery facilities. There is a wide range of provision for students experiencing a learning difficulty or disability and all courses are open to all members of the community on an equal basis. Enrolment is continuous and courses are free to people in receipt of benefits.

Huntingdonshire District Council
Hinchingbrooke Country Park
Brampton Road
Huntingdon
PE28 6DB

Tel: 01480 451568
Email: hinchingbrookecountrypark@huntsdc.gov.uk

Provides supportive work experience placements to those with special needs around the district. Environment projects include tree planting and pond clearance and a number of outdoor activities are also catered for. The official referral procedure is via social services.

Huntingdonshire Enterprise Agency
Centenary House
St. Mary’s Street
Huntingdon
PE29 3PE

Tel: 01480 450028
Email: hea@cambsenterprise.co.uk
Website: www.cambsenterprise.co.uk
Open normal office hours.

Free advice, training and business counselling given to individuals wishing to start their own business or who own an existing small business.

The Papworth Trust
Papworth Everard
Huntingdon
CB1 8RG

Tel: 01480 357200
Freephone: 0800 952 5000
Email: kieran-carr@papworth.org.uk
Website: www.papworth.org.uk

The scheme supports people with disabilities in permanent employment with over sixty host companies. It is open to anyone with a disability who qualifies for Supported Employment. The official referral procedure is via the Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Advisor, but phone enquiries are welcome.

The Richmond Fellowship Hunts & Fens
Island Hall Cottage
17 Post Street
Godmanchester
Cambs
PE29 2BA

Tel: 01480 456257
E-mail: hunts&fens@richmondfellowship.org.uk

Huntingdon and Fenland RFET helps people who use/have used the mental health services. They provide a work & skills training environment in horticulture and gardening.

Volunteer Bureaux

St. Neots Volunteer Bureau
Oak House
28 New Street
St. Neots
PE19 1AJ

Tel: 01480 476047

The Bureau matches volunteers with individuals and organisations that need them. The Bureau also runs a Social Car Scheme which costs 34p/mile. The Bureau is open from 11 am – 1 pm Monday to Thursday, but the answerphone is on at other times for messages.

Ramsey, Warboys & District Volunteer Centre
Methodist Hall
High Street
Ramsey
PE26 1AA

Ramsey office Tel: 01487 814117
Open Monday – Thursday, 10.00am - 12 noon

Warboys Resource Centre Tel: 01487 823476
Open Monday from 1.00 - 3.00pm and Friday from 10.00 - 12 noon.

An answerphone is available at other times.
The Bureau matches volunteers to those individuals and organisations who need them. The Bureau also runs a Social Car Scheme for the disabled and elderly (for those unable to use public transport) which cost 34p/mile.

Huntingdon Volunteer Bureau
The Methodist Church
High Street
Huntingdon
PE29 3TE

Tel: 01480 414766
Email: Huntingdon-vb@hotmail.co.uk

The Bureau matches volunteers to those individuals and organisations who need them. This Bureau provides a Social Car Service which offers door to door transport to people who are unable to use conventional public transport. Journeys are arranged through the Bureau and provided by volunteers using their own cars. Passengers make a contribution of 34 pence per mile towards the cost of their journey. This covers the drivers petrol costs and some of the wear and tear on the car. Please note that a minimum contribution of £1.50 applies to all journeys. When booking a journey please give as much notice as possible. They are open Monday – Thursday, 10.00am - 12.00 noon.

St Ives Volunteer Bureau
Free Church Centre
Market Hill
St Ives
PE27 5AL

Tel: 01480 301462

The Bureau matches volunteers to those individuals and organisations who need them. It also runs a Social Car Scheme which cost 34/mile (from the drivers home). They are open from 12.30 – 3.00pm on Monday -Thursdays.