Plymouth Community Homes News Issue 13 (1.3mb)

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
Success PCH News
Brighter future for Adam
Just two years ago, Adam Thomas was facing an uncertain
future. He had, in his own words, ‘been messing about’.
But after help from the social enterprise
charity Shekinah Mission and a
partnership with Plymouth Community
Homes, he is now back on course and in
full-time employment.
Adam’s lucky break came as a result of an
innovative agreement between PCH and
the charity, which offers help and support
for the socially excluded (including the
homeless, ex-offenders or those struggling
with substance abuse) and gets them
back into work or training.
We were looking for a temporary Ranger.
As Skekinah is a nominated charity for
PCH, we approached them to see if they
had candidates among their workforce of
people they have made ready for outside
employment.
This was instead of us turning to a
recruitment agency. After the standard
interview procedure, Adam was the first
to come through and began working as a
Ranger.
The 25-year-old performed so well
that when 10 full-time posts became
available, it was suggested he apply. They
attracted almost 150 candidates who were
shortlisted to 47 – and Adam was one of
the lucky ones who were taken on.
He said: “Although I had been working
with PCH, I wasn’t confident I would get
the job as so many people had applied,
and I was just so happy when I did. I love
the variety of what I do as I travel from site
to site and I like being part of a team.
“A couple of years ago I never could have
believed I’d be as settled and happy as I
am now and the fact I have come on so
much just goes to show that anyone can
change if they want to.
“I am really grateful to PCH for taking
me on and giving me a chance. I know it
was a big deal because many companies
won’t even look at someone who has
had problems in the past. I am going to
prove to them they definitely made the
right decision. I want to progress in the job
and I hope to be made a supervisor in the
future.”
Kevin Perry, Environmental Services
Manager, said: “We went to Shekinah as
they are a charity we support and they
do look to find work for people and we
wondered if the connection could be of
some help. We are delighted that, as a
“I am really grateful
to PCH for taking
me on and giving
me a chance.”
result, we now have Adam on a full-time
basis. He is such a pleasant young man,
very polite and works extremely hard.”
Steve Weymouth, Head of Social
Enterprise at Shekinah, who is pictured
above with Adam, said: “Adam is the first
of our staff to work with PCH and because
of his success, PCH has confidence in us
and is happy for us to supply more people.
It’s a win/win for everyone: PCH get staff,
our people get the chance to restart their
lives in the real world and – as they move
on – they create a space at our charity for
someone else who needs help.”
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