What is Building Better Opportunities?

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF), Building Better Opportunities (BBO) is a Worcestershire wide social inclusion programme to provide better, more comprehensive and coherent employment services. YSS, as part of a local  partnership called Fusion, made up of housing providers and local voluntary sector organisations, employs a Job Coach who meets with BBO participants to assess their needs, agree work plans and arrange support to move them closer to or into sustained employment.

 

How does BBO help?

Our job coach  meets participants on a one to one basis in the local community at times and places that suit the participant and supports them with:

 

• Creating a CV
• Setting up an email account
• Signing up to and using job search websites
• Creating covering letters
• Filling in application forms
• Interview preparation
• Careers guidance
• Training and education needs including IT skills

 

How much support is on offer?

The support is tailored to each individual. Our Job Coach will look to meet at least once a week, more often if required. Face to face support is backed up by telephone and text contact and participants also have access to an out of hours helpline manned by YSS staff.

 

What difference does BBO make?

Participants who have used the service have progressed into full and part time work, have secured apprenticeships and have moved into training and education. Others have progressed in terms of their confidence, motivation and being able to use a computer.  The job coach supports the participant to break down the barriers, real or perceived, in to employment. These barriers may include transport, child care, equipment or work clothes.

Hear what real people have to say

Before I met Phil I couldn’t read or write, he signposted me to an appropriate course to support me with my reading and writing, I am really enjoying the course and feeling more confident now.

 I was referred to Phil for support to find employment, he has helped me update my CV and I have now applied for about 10 jobs.

 Thanks to the support of BBO, I have secured employment.

 I have never worked, didn’t know how to find work, luckily Phil has supported me with this.

 

How to make a refferal

If you feel you would benefit from the support BBO has on offer, or know somebody who would benefit from the project, please contact YSS to discuss further by calling Philip Sherwood (BBO Job Coach) on 07585 967183 or email [email protected].