Via helped my whole family

A programme offered across Shadsworth and Whitebirk to help families get back in to work has helped an entire family to get back on their feet upon returning to Blackburn, homeless and jobless, after a period of living in Spain.

The Fast Forward for Families programme, operated by social business Via, sees a dedicated adviser working closely with family members to help them back in to employment. The programme offers a free, four week course called All About Me, aimed to help unemployed adults build confidence and identify how to work towards a chosen job, career or learning opportunity.

The Whittingstall family of Oban Drive, Shadsworth returned to Blackburn last year after deciding that their life in Gran Canaria, where father Stephen worked in the entertainment industry, wasn’t what they wanted long term.

Having returned to Shadsworth with no home or jobs to go to, mother of three Tracy met Fast Forward for Families Adviser, Michelle Hurst, at the breakfast club at the local neighbourhood centre.

After being introduced to the programme, Tracy accepted a free place on the All About Me course, designed to boost her confidence, self esteem and assertiveness. The programme also helped Tracy to explore what skills employers require and how she could identify her talents and gain new skills, match them to what employers require and create a CV and action plan for the future.

Tracy, 43, has now been able to secure work as a Relief Support Worker at Creative Support in Blackburn, where she will help people with mental health issues carry out everyday tasks such as shopping and cleaning.

The Fast Forward for Families Team were also able to help Tracy ensure her youngest daughter Amy, 15, was able to return to high school to complete her GCSEs and were able to assist husband Stephen in getting a job at a new Go Outdoors store in Blackburn. The team are now working with Tracy’s sister Donna.

Tracy said: “I can’t explain how glad I am that I met Michelle and started on the Fast Forward for Families programme.  It has helped us all focus and be more confident and has had a really positive effect on my whole family.  We’d still be drifting if we hadn’t been on this programme.

“I’d recommend that anyone else in my situation takes up the offer of help, its easy, there’s no pressure and you get so much out of it. I really can’t thank Michelle and the Fast Forward for Families team enough for helping me and my family get back on our feet.”

Michelle Hurst, Fast Forward for Families Adviser at Via said: “We are very glad to have been able to help the Whittingstall family, and other families across the area. Tracy and her family wanted to get back in to work having returned home and just needed the help, guidance, encouragement and support in order for them to do so. We were glad to be able to offer the support and make a difference to the family and the community.”