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.
Cambridge Jobcentre Plus
Henry Giles House
73-79 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 3BG
Tel: 01223 545000
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
The postal address for the Cambridge branch is:
Jobcentre Plus
Cambridge Jobcentre
Papyrus Road
Peterborough
PE99 1AD.
They are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am- 5.00pm, Wednesdays 10.00am- 5.00pm. They have Disability Employment Advisers that can be contacted on the telephone number detailed above.
Ely Jobcentre Plus
52 Market Street
Ely
Cambs
CB7 4LU
Tel: 01353 605400
Textphone: 01223 545212
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am-5.00pm, Wednesday 10.00am- 5.00pm.
Newmarket Jobcentre Plus
Wellington House
Wellington Street
Newmarket
CB8 0WJ
Tel: 01638 683600
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am- 5.00pm, Wednesday 10.00am- 5.00pm. They are closed each day between 12.30pm- 1.30pm.
If you are aged between 13 and 19 you can get general help with careers guidance from Connexions:
Connexions Youth Advice Service
RES1017
Shire Hall Site
Castle Court
Cambridge
CB3 0AP
Tel: 01223 712800
Email: connexions.cambridge@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Website: www.purplepigeon.net
There is a drop-in each day between 1.30pm- 4.30pm. The office is open between 9am- 5pm Monday- Friday for phone calls and appointments.
There are also Connexions branches in: Ely, Peterborough, Huntingdon, March, St.Neots and Wisbech Contact details for these branches can be found on the ‘purplepigeon’ website detailed above.
Cambridge Jobsearch
18 George IV Street
Cambridge
CB2 1HH
Tel: 01223 313415
Email: jomark@camjobsearch.demon.co.uk
This is a free and confidential career counselling service, also providing practical assistance in job-hunting and CV compilation. Support is given to people with mental health problems who are ready for work.
Papworth Trust Employment Service
Helping people with a disability or health issue to find or keep a job.
Tel: 0800 952 5000 (Employment Free phone)
Website: www.papworth.org.uk
They support disabled people into and within work. They work with people who have been long-term unemployed because of their disability, as well as those who have acquired a disability as a result of a workplace injury, serious illness or a road traffic accident.
A key feature of the services is the use of experienced staff who have the skills to support clients, their co-workers and employers and this support starts right from the moment someone contacts the free phone helpline.
Benefits Advice
For sources of independent advice and information on benefits and other issues contact Disability Cambridgeshire, The Cambridge Law Centre or The Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
Benefit Enquiry Line for people with Disabilities
Telephone: 0800 882200 (free phone)
Textphone: 0800 243355 (free phone)
E mail: bel-customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk (customer services)
Website: www.direct.gov.uk
For general benefit enquiries for people with disabilities, carers and representatives.
Local Contacts
Cambridge Co-Operative Development Agency (CCDA)
Unit 8
Chesterton Mill
Frenches Road
Cambridge
CB4 3NP
Tel: 01223 360977
Email: info@thesocialenterprisepeople.co.uk
Website: www.thesocialenterprisepeople.co.uk
The agency provides start-up advice, guidance, training and support, and signposting for new and existing social enterprises in Cambridgeshire. The office is staffed Monday to Friday from 9am- 5.00pm.
Cambridge Enterprise Agency
St Johns Innovation Centre
Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0WS
Tel: 01223 421775
Email: cea@cambsenterprise.co.uk
Website: www.cambsenterprise.co.uk
Cambridge Enterprise Agency provides free information and advice to start-up and small businesses.
Cambridge Volunteer Centre
Llandaff Chambers
2 Regent Street
Cambridge
CB2 1AX
Tel: 01223 356549
Email: info@cam-volunteer.org.uk
Website: www.cam-volunteer.org.uk
Wheelchair, disabled and pram access. The Volunteer Centre provides information and advice on getting involved with volunteering (helping in the community) in and around Cambridge and the surrounding villages. There are hundreds of different volunteering opportunities and the staff can help you find something to suit you. They are open to the public for appointments Monday to Thursday 10.00am- 4.00pm. There is also a drop-in service on Thursdays between 10am and 1pm. Alternatively, phone or e-mail for more information. Visit the website to see the hundreds of opportunities available.
Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre
They provide courses and support for women who are working or thinking of working.
There are some organisations which provide extra help with finding work for people with disabilities or ill health, including mental health needs:
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.
Employment Foundation Scheme
Cambridge Regional College
Cherry Hinton Learning Centre
Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 8DW
Tel: 01223 458256/7
Email: cbayford@camre.ac.uk
The Employment Foundation Scheme is part of the Cambridge Regional College and is funded by the Learning and Skills Council. They have opportunities for apprentices, pre- apprentices and run an Entry to Employment programme for 16-18 year olds, which can include vocational training programmes in Horticulture, Painting and Decorating, Office & Reception and Cooking along with basic, personal and life skills. For further information contact your Connexions Advisor or phone them on the above number.
Hester Adrian Centre
Hawthorn Way
Cambridge
CB4 1AX
Tel: 01223 478601
or Freephone 0800 952 5000
Email: john.aves@papworth.org.uk
Website: www.papworth.org.uk
The Hester Adrian Centre is managed by the Papworth Trust. It provides supported and open employment opportunities for people with disabilities or people on health related benefits, plus careers advice and planning. They offer advice on college courses, job hunting and support within the workplace. They have three employment programmes:
- New Deal – Support and advice for people on health related benefits such as incapacity benefit. Offers one-one support to locate a suitable vacancy, CV, interview techniques, work experience and support for up to six months in work.
- WORKSTEP – This programme provides one-to-one support and advice to find paid employment and ongoing support in the workplace.
- Work4you – This programme provides one-to-one support for people with Learning Disabilities to find volunteering, work experience and paid work.
Telephone the Freephone number to get more information on services provided and eligibility criteria
Richmond Fellowship (Cambridge)
Unit B/C, The Paddocks
347 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 8DH
Tel: 01223 242267
Email: cambridge@richmondfellowship.org.uk
Website: www.richmondfelowship.org.uk
Richmond Fellowship is a national organisation that provides support to people with a range of mental health problems throughout England. Formerly known as RFET, Richmond Fellowship (Cambridge) is an employment service for Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire. It provides support to people recovering from mental health difficulties as they seek to access and maintain suitable employment, volunteering and training opportunities.
The service enables clients to match their abilities and aspirations to work and training opportunities using action planning, careers guidance, personal skills development, psychometric profiling, work preparation and more. Clients also have access to the ReFresh Garden Services project as they progress towards employment. Richmond Fellowship (Hunts and Fenland) offer a similar employment service and can be contacted on: 01480 456257.
Supported Employment Project
Adult and Community Learning, ELH1101
Castle Court
Cambridge CB3 0AP
Telephone: 01223 718484
E mail: val.cambers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
This project aims to find supported appropriate part-time employment places for adults with learning difficulties or disabilities and for those with mental health problems. Each placement will take place for a few hours each week over three months. Each placement will be supported by a mentor offering support and guidance on the job.
Vocational Opportunities Network
Tel: 01223 359561
Email: Bob.Gresham@cambsmh.nhs.uk
Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire (VCAEC)
41e Forehill
Ely
Cambs
CB7 4AA
Tel/Fax: 01353 666556 (Volunteering Enquiries)
Tel: 01353 666553 (Social car scheme only)
Tel: 01353 659639 (Gardening)
Tel: 01353 666166 (All other Enquiries)
E mail: elyvb@cb74AA.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.vcaec.org.uk
Ely and District Volunteer Centre has merged with the Council for Voluntary Service to form Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire. The new organisation offers support and training to all local voluntary groups and can offer funding advice, and support through the funding process. The office is open for these services 9am- 2pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments can be made outside of these hours.
The centre also helps people to access volunteering opportunities and organisations to access volunteers. They run a social car scheme and gardening scheme for people in need e.g. elderly or disabled and those who are ill. There is a small mileage contribution made for the car scheme. Opening hours for the car and gardening schemes are: 9.30am-12.30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. VCAEC also runs the ‘VITAL’ forum, open to the voluntary and community sectors. This forum offers training, networking and opportunities to keep up to date with local initiatives and new legislation. Meetings are bi-monthly with a lunch- visit the website for more information.
Volunteers Plus
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 246669
E mail: office@volunteersplus.org.uk
Website: www.volunteersplus.org.uk
Volunteers Plus promotes volunteering for everyone. Support is provided throughout the process of finding and taking part in community volunteering. Support offered depends on the need of each individual and can include 1:1 time to consider options and make choices, taster sessions and in-house admin and gardening groups, supported visits to possible placements and help to review and take next steps. All welcome at regular drop-in lunches and events. Courses for women and for men are held several times a year. Self referrals are welcome. Phone Tues, Thurs or Fri (term time only) 9am- 4pm for an appointment. Disabled access.
