This year charities frequently featured in the national news, with the collapse of Kid’s Company dominating the headlines. But many other charities are also facing difficulties, often triggered by events beyond their control. A good example is Eaves, a charity supporting and campaigning for women affected by domestic violence, which was forced to go into administration in early November due to cuts in government spending on women’s services.
As expected, there was an outcry from the voluntary sector, but I was surprised to also come across less sympathetic readers’ comments that gave voice to a certain public disillusionment. One commentator, for instance, labelled charities ineffective and not worth supporting as they only worked to temporarily relieve the symptoms of social ills, rather than combating the causes and affecting real change. While I cannot go into detail on what charities realistically should and should not be expected to achieve, I would like to make a case for The ClementJames Centre, an organisation that is more than just a sticking plaster.
The ClementJames Centre’s mission is to reduce poverty and unemployment in North Kensington, and with over 30 years of experience we are only too aware that there are no quick fixes or easy solutions – neither for communities nor for individuals. Instead, we have found that support is most effective when it is tailored, with a long-term focus and regularly adapted to changing needs.
Poverty, unemployment, education and skills are closely linked and neither can be considered in isolation if you want to get a comprehensive picture of what makes people struggle or thrive. That is why we have developed programmes that underpin each other, both preventative and corrective. These programmes can indeed affect lasting change for individuals and families and consequently have a positive impact on the community they live and work in, no matter how big or small.
To illustrate how this works, let me introduce you to Hiyab* and Mikayel*, two ClementJames service users who represent the diverse range of local people seeking support at the centre.
Hiyab was born in Eritrea. At the age of 19 she moved to the UK and married her husband with whom she has three children aged between 10 and 14. Being a full-time mother and having limited resources, Hiyab has found little time to study English or to gain qualifications. While she has been able to pick up spoken English very well, she struggles with reading and writing.
At The ClementJames Centre, Hiyab receives one-to-one literacy support that enables her to gain the skills and confidence she will need once she is ready to return to work. Her children also attend The ClementJames Centre’s homework club where they receive help with their school work and exam preparation, learn about university and careers and access resources and IT facilities they do not have at home. The two older children have a university student mentor and one also receives regular one-to-one literacy support from a local volunteer.
When Hiyab needed help with her son’s education she used the centre’s Advice and Guidance service. Having someone to talk to about her problem and receiving support with complicated application processes was a big relief. With the help of her adviser Hiyab was able to find a solution and her son is a lot happier now and working better at school.
Mikayel is 54 and moved to the UK 7 years ago. He worked as a doctor in his home country but was forced to leave after facing some traumatic experiences. Mikayel would like to work in a medical profession again, however he is unable to utilise his qualifications and wealth of experience because his English is not good enough.
At The ClementJames Centre Mikayel can study free English courses and receive advice about language qualifications which are required for his line of work. Improving his English skills gives Mikayel new confidence and also increases his chances of finding employment as he will be able to perform better during job interviews. Apart from limited language skills Mikayel’s main barrier to finding employment and improving his situation is a lack of work experience in the UK. The support he receives from the Job Centre is patchy at best, with the average appointment lasting only seven minutes, and leaves Mikayel feeling pressured to apply for jobs which aren’t suitable for him.
Mikayel regularly sees his ClementJames IntoWork adviser with whom he talks about his dream of returning to work in the medical field. The adviser works out a plan with him for achieving his goal, from studying the necessary qualifications to gaining work experience with the NHS as a Healthcare Assistant. Mikayel also attends a Business Engagement Day where a group of corporate volunteers spend a day supporting a number of IntoWork clients, taking part in group challenges to boost clients’ confidence, and giving one-to-one advice on interview and presentation skills. Mikayel really enjoys the experience and has already been invited to a few interviews.
Every person’s journey is unique and every single person coming through our doors is facing different barriers and issues that keep them from bettering their situation and realising their potential. Similarly, not everyone is able to continue on a straight path and to succeed, and some clients return to us when their circumstances have changed.
However, Hiyab, her children and Mikayel represent the diverse group of people accessing the centre and their stories illustrate the many ways in which the charity’s programmes connect to form a flexible package of support. While there is no limit to the length of time a person can be supported, each programme emphasises empowerment, independence and the building of confidence. Through classes and group sessions the centre creates networks of local people who continue to support each other.
By improving their skills and overcoming their barriers our clients become able to gain meaningful and sustainable employment. By entering work our clients increase their income. This means that people are less likely to be in poverty and go into debt, and instead this extra money improves living standards.
Having a stable job and a regular income also reduces money worries and related problems, leading to improved mental well-being. Less people affected by poverty often means a reduction in the associated negative impact on their health, leading to less spending in welfare support and health services. Finally, more people in work not only means increased income in taxes, but local economies also benefit from people spending money in their neighbourhood. At the same time, The ClementJames Centre is inspiring the next generation, by supporting local children from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout their entire time at school and eventually guiding them towards university or other career paths.
We cannot change the fact that many local people will experience unemployment, poverty or isolation at some point in their lives. But we have the opportunity to work from inside the community, if not to solve, to at least confront some of the most pressing social issues in our area, one person at a time.
Silke Mehrgott, Operations Manager
*Names have been changed.