Learning Links were one of the many organisations invited to take their customers to the Faith and Football’s free Christmas Lunch at Portsmouth Football Club (PFC).

The lunch was for customers who were either homeless or spending Christmas alone. Learning Links took 9 customers to the Christmas meal where they were all served a traditional Christmas dinner.

The guests were greeted by Linvoy Primus on arrival and he gave a short inspiring speech before the meal. Linvoy along with Mickey Mellows and other staff from Faith and Football served all the 100+ guests their Christmas dinner followed by mince pies and cream.

After the meal Alan Knight joined the festivities. Customers were given the opportunity to have their photo taken with Linvoy and Alan as well as get signatures.

It was a brilliant afternoon. Colin Brant a Learning Links customer said ‘many thanks for inviting me for the Christmas lunch I really enjoyed it just want to let you know that I had a great time many thanks once again from Collin.’

Learning Links would like to thank Faith and Football for giving us the opportunity to invite customers to what was a fantasitc afternoon.

Customers were nominated by the mentors and Health Trainers who work with them one-to-one. In total 11 customers won awards and 7 customers attended the event.

The 7 customers that attended were Trevor Nevitt, Joe Montana, Mark Owen, Carole Roberts, Colin Brant, Debbie Ann Phoenix and Andy Paradise.

The awards were given to the customers by Learning Links Chair of Trustees Adele Theobald, Learning Links CEO Zoe Gray and the customers’ personal mentors and Health Trainers.

Zoe Gray said ‘I was bowled over by the progress that of the customers that received prizes. It practically moved me to tears.’

‘It was a great reminder to all the Learning Links staff how important the work we do is and how we support people in turning their lives around.’

Trevor Nevitt won an award for Proactive Job Search. Regardless of his health he always attended job club, was there at 12pm, engaged in all the interventions and is now in employment as a KP. 

Joe Montana won an award for Significant Achievement.

Her mentor Penelope said ‘Joe had missed out on something we all take for granted, an education. She has now taken her own initiative to go back to learning and is now doing a literacy course. She has a positive attitude and doesn’t let the past hinder her future.’

Mark Owen received an award for Positive Contribution. He mentor, Leah said ‘Mark had given a positive contribution to the learning environment. He had also shown great enthusiasm and got involved in all the courses where possible.’

The customers were nominated from a range of projects which include the Work Programme, Next Steps, Health for Work and Health Trainers.

Mark Owen won a second award for the winner of Learning Links Christmas card competition.

To watch the video’s click here or click on the you tube icon at the bottom of the page.

Job seekers are spending the majority of their time applying for 30% of visible vacancies, where thousands of other job seekers are also concentrating their time.

Learning Links, a local charity is trying to open up the hidden job market to help job seekers in and around Portsmouth.

When so many people are out of work, up to 70% of businesses that need extra staff aren’t advertising for applicants.

It’s believed employers are not placing adverts to save money and time, avoid high volumes of applicants that are not applicable for the job, use existing CV’s or only advertise on their own website.

One recruitment company compared the open job marketing to the tip of an iceberg, only a small amount of the jobs are visible. 

This catch 22 situation means that job opportunities remain hidden and employers are not always able to fill vacancies.

Learning Links are offering business a free opportunity to advertise their vacancies to over 450+ customers in Isle of Wight and Portsmouth area.

Learning Links are also providing a free employment broker service will save businesses time and expense in traditional recruitment methods.

The charity believes by offering free advertising and an Employment Brokerage Service they can help local people into local jobs.

For more information about this service click here or contact us.

Below is a message from an Isle of Wight Advisor (who came to find out how it could help her customers) and a customer who attended the course.

Isle of Wight Job Centre Advisor said: “Many thanks for making us welcome yesterday. We were really impressed both with the information given, your enthusiasm, and the way you did your best to raise the confidence and self esteem of our customers.

I know some times it is an uphill struggle trying firstly to convince them they have something to offer and secondly to motivate them to present themselves to the best of their ability.”

Customer who attended Finding & Getting a Job said: “I found the tutor very helpful, patient and understanding. I often get nervous at interviews, but now I feel I have a lot of in depth knowledge of what kind of questions I might have to answer and how I will be able to calm myself down better, if I get nervous again in future interviews.

He was brilliant.  I wish there were more trainers like Peter available for people like me, who find themselves having being (been) made redundant and unemployed. It was a lot better than any other A4E courses I’ve ever attended in the past, and I feel that I have learned a lot more in 2 days, then I ever did in 13 weeks.”

Business Development Manager  .   30hrs per week  .   £30,000 – £35,000 p.a. pro rata  .   Six month fixed term contract  .   Based: Portsmouth

The Victory Consortium is an organisation with many not-for-profit member organisations that are located or work in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight areas delivering services and activities in their communities. 

Our primary goal is to meet the needs of local people. We do this in consortia through the provision of high quality, effective, client centred services and activities.

Our consortium approach enables single larger contracts to be secured centrally that are subcontracted out to local providers (our members) for delivery.

We are seeking a Business Development Manager to ensure that the Victory Consortium is able to secure contracts for its members, develop the consortium ‘offer’ and ensure it is best placed to exploit opportunities in the new commissioning landscape. Although this vacancy is advertised for a fixed term the contract may be extended subject to securing additional funding.

We’ll need you to seek out opportunities to grow our provision across the region, as you prepare and submit tenders and other funding opportunities, support negotiations and manage key projects.  You will pro-actively and confidently develop effective collaborations with external organisations, to ensure that our work can reach out to the widest possible audience.

Qualified to Level 5 or equivalent, you’ll bring sound experience of business development and a keen sense of where the external funding landscape is going – reacting to both the economic situation as well as the political one.  A proven ability to liaise with and influence professionals from a range of settings, combined with excellent communication and tender writing skills is essential.  The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to analyse complex data along with comprehensive knowledge of current policy trends and health and wellbeing services.

For more information about the post please telephone – 07530 076280

For an application pack please email – hub@victoryconsortium.co.uk

Closing date: 06 January 2012

Interview date: 17 January 2012

The Weight Management groups support people by looking at food and drink diaries, healthy eating, physical activity, behaviour change, goal setting/targets and maintaining weight or weight loss.

The group starts on Monday 9th January 2012. On the third session you will receive a Healthy Pompey portion size plate.

Mens only group Southsea Community Centre
Every Monday 12.30pm – 1.30pm

For more information contact us on 023 9229 4001 or info@learninglinks.co.uk.

*You must be a Portsmouth resident to access the groups.

The groups are open to any Portsmouth resident.  The Weight Management groups support people by looking at food and drink diaries, healthy eating, physical activity, behaviour change, goal setting/targets and maintaining weight or weight loss.

The Weight Management groups are run across Portsmouth on a range of days and times please see below to find your local Weight Management Group.

On your third session you will receive a free portion size plate.

Southsea Community Centre
Every Monday 11.00am – Midday

Men’s only group Southsea Community Centre
Every Monday 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Paulsgrove Children’s Centre
Every Wednesday 6pm – 8pm

John Pounds Centre
Every Wednesday Midday – 1pm

St George’s Business Centre, Portsea
Every Thursday Midday – 1pm

Friendship House
Every Friday 11am – Midday

Paulsgrove Healthy Living Centre
Every Friday 12.30pm -1.30pm

IAG Centre in Arundel Street
Every Tuesday 1.30pm – 2.30pm

Friendship House
Every Wednesday 12.30pm – 1.30pm

For more information contact us on info@learninglinks.co.uk or call us on 023 9229 4001.

Below is a link to the podcast with James Sandy, to support this consultation, also speaking in the post cast is Abigail Withey (from Learning Links) and Steve Boomford (trustee of CFfP).

 https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1273787132/370691ff2dd7f4c9947c99bbb2f01258

Learning Links Case Study Booklet is now complete and available to view online.

To view more pictures click here.