Steps 2 Success events

We were pleased to showcase our Steps 2 Success employment service at two events in Newry and Portadown.

These events drew organisations from the local communities together to inform our Next Steps strategy, which is being developed to extend more employment support in the region.

The Reed in Partnership team spoke about the impact of the Steps 2 Success service since its launch in 2015. In that time, we have helped 3,587 unemployed people to start working. Special focus was given to our health and wellbeing support and how it is helping people with a range of health conditions identify and access suitable job opportunities.

In Portadown, we were joined by our partners Network Personnel, GEL, SERC and Rutledge Learning. A number of Steps 2 Success participants gave first-hand accounts of how the service has benefitted them.

Neil and Enda, who had worked with Employment Advisers at Network Personnel and GEL, spoke with passion about the difference the service has made to their lives. Enda used Steps 2 Success to find work as a waiter. For a previously shy person, the service was crucial in improving his confidence and his employability skills.

Attendees at the Newry event heard from Kevin and Adrian, both of whom found new work opportunities through the service, as well as Don’t Bully campaign founder Anita Dennison.

Both events provided opportunities for attendees to contribute ideas that will form part of our Next Steps strategy. This included discussions on improving opportunities for people with disabilities or health conditions, more sharing of best practice and better signposting between orgnisations. Representatives from the Department for Communities were also in attendance to present and answer questions.

More than ten local coffee open mornings are now taking place across the Southern region of Northern Ireland. These present an opportunity for local jobseekers to meet our teams and find out more about what Steps 2 Success can do for them. More information on these is available here.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to our events.