We want to help tenants feel confident about getting into work, no matter what their employment situation is. Whether they’ve been out of work for a while, are looking to change careers, or simply want to refresh their skills, we’re here to support them every step of the way.
The Employment Support Service (ESS) team provides personalised advice, training, work experience, coaching, and support based on a tenant’s individual needs.
Over the last year, our ESS team has helped 231 tenants with job referrals, supported 85 people into work, and boosted tenants’ earnings by a total of over £1.3 million. And 86% of those who found work stayed in their jobs for at least 12 weeks.
We also provide work experience placements and volunteering opportunities to help build skills and grow your confidence. This past year, we supported 30 work experience placements at ForHousing across different teams, ranging from employment support, waste management, to building safety.
Kevin’s story is a great example of how valuable these opportunities can be, showing just how much tenants can achieve when they’ve got the right help behind them.
Kevin began his journey with ForHousing by volunteering as a Tenancy Support Assistant, with support from his supervisor Lorna.
For three months, he dedicated one day a week to his placement, often going above and beyond by taking on extra tasks and additional days whenever he could.
His commitment quickly became clear, with Kevin contributing over 100 hours of his time to support the ESS team with recruitment and event hosting.
During this placement, Kevin’s confidence grew significantly. He picked up new skills and quickly became someone the team really trusted and relied on.
He said: “I enjoyed seeing lots of different teams and being able to attend meetings within ForHousing and with the ESS. Everyone I met was really nice, and I could see how hard their jobs are but also how rewarding.
“The support from the Employment Support Service has been great throughout the process – Will and Alicia especially. Lorna did a great job finding me different things to see and do while trying to accommodate my schedule.”
Since his placement, Kevin has continued to build on his progress. In June 2024, he completed a Level 2 Extended Certificate in Digital and IT Skills, followed by two weeks of paid work at Langworthy Cornerstone, a Community Healthy Living Centre in Salford, where he was already well known for his volunteering efforts.
From October 2024 to January 2025, Kevin completed another placement at Langworthy Cornerstone to further build his skills and experience.
Kevin’s hard work and commitment paid off when, in February, he secured a permanent role as a Communications Assistant at the homelessness charity Emmaus.
He started by working 16 hours a week, and by April, his hours were increased to 30 hours due to his outstanding performance. Emmaus has proven to be a perfect fit for him!
Stories like Kevin’s bring to life the positive impact our Employment Support Service can make, and he’s just one of many. Over the last year, we’ve had 142 new people join the programme!
The team is here to offer an approach tailored to individuals to help empower them on the path to sustained and fulfilling employment.
Every story like Kevin’s brings us one step closer to achieving that vision. We’re incredibly proud of his progress, and we can’t wait to see where his career takes him.
If you would like to learn more about our Employment Support Service, get in touch with the team by calling 0330 995 7291 or emailing tenancyresilienceteam@forhousing.co.uk
