ARU project will help the long-term unemployed
People in Cambridge will gain experience of work and access to university facilities
ARU's Helmore building on East Road in Cambridge
An important project to help long-term unemployed people in Cambridge return to the labour market through a concept called ‘reverse volunteering’ has received financial backing from Research England.
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) will work with a range of partners, including Abbey People, to support local people on ARU’s Cambridge campus by providing experience of work alongside ARU staff members.
The pilot project will invite local people to “volunteer” on ARU Cambridge campus, mentored by ARU staff members, to experience work and develop the skills necessary to secure quality employment opportunities. This will include access to ARU’s HR and employability support services to assist with CV writing, job searching skills and submitting job applications.
The project is being led by ARU’s Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE) programme, which empowers ARU students to develop ideas that solve real issues in local communities.
“As a part of ARU’s strategic and civic responsibilities in nurturing vibrant university communities, this Research England funding will transform an idea into reality by helping long-term unemployed individuals re-enter the workforce.
“We look forward to collaborating with Abbey People, a community charity, and engaging enthusiastic ARU staff volunteers to provide mentoring and employability support.”
Neale Daniel, SHoKE Programme Manager at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
“We are pleased to be working with ARU on this initiative, aiming to help people from Abbey gain confidence and experience with university jobs, getting them one step closer to meaningful work, as part of our Abbey Works pilot project.”
Nicky Shepard, CEO of Abbey PeopleARU is one of six universities to receive a share of £60,000 in funding from Research England’s National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) programme, which enables universities to explore a range of approaches to civic challenges across the country.
“The six projects funded through the programme give a flavour of the breadth and variety of civic work being undertaken in the action learning process and beyond. We look forward to the lessons and learning that develop through the projects and sharing these with the wider sector.”
Gemma Adams, Project Manager of the NCIA Action Learning Process, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement