Over the last couple of months, the trustees have been forging several relationships with charities and not for profit organisations across the county. One of these- charities is HARC (Hastings Advice & Representation Centre) whose purpose is to provide free and confidential Welfare Benefits advice, information, and representation to the people of East Sussex. Their aim is to address inequalities, relieve poverty and improve the quality of life for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and families.

In collaboration with HARC, the foundation has identified two men for support, Phillip and Oliver. Both young adults want to gain a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship.

HARC have found a supplier who will fund the training course but both Phillip and Oliver need support, as a result of the Kick Start scheme being abandoned, to continue in paid work as part of the Apprentice Scheme while they are studying. The Jim Jackson Foundation will fund the salaries while they are on the scheme, enabling HARC to employ the two men as apprentices. During this time, they will start customer service training, resulting in a qualification in Level 2 Customer Service. Their week will consist of 6 hours training and working 24 hours in store. Achieving this qualification will allow them to enter further education or the world of business.

About Phillip and Oliver

Phillip is a young man who has worked with HARC who supported him on the Kick Start scheme to gain experience and mentoring in retail. Prior to working with HARC , Phillip had faced certain challenges entering the world of work or further education without any qualifications. During his 6 months’ work experience in-store, it was clear to colleagues, that he excelled in numeracy and IT. Through support and mentoring, Phillip’s confidence has blossomed and he is enjoying the challenges. While volunteering, following the withdrawal of the Kick Start funding, he is working on IT systems for the shop. His aim is to gain a qualification, apply to college and pursue his ambition to embark in a career in retail, and the support from the Jim Jackson Foundation will enable him to do that.

Oliver is a young man who faced challenges at school and his earlier life, which he found difficult, but since working in the HARC’s charity shop, he has grabbed the opportunity he has been given and is flourishing with the mentorship. His goal is to gain a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship and attend college at the end of the course. He can now do that with the support of the Jim Jackson Foundation.

The foundation is extremely proud to offer the support and we will keep you updated on the progress throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone for your support and we hope you will join us in wishing them good luck as they start their apprenticeships.