If you, or someone you know, is at the beginning of their career or at a crossroads in their employment journey, our FREE employment support services are accessible for Bath and North East Somerset residents. Please see below for the criteria for accessing our services, links for referral options and continue reading to discover stories from participants who have completed the programmes. If you are unemployed sign up to the Employment and Skills Pod to get 1:1 specific support to get you back into work. If you are employed and looking to upskill or retrain then contact Future Bright who can support you with your next steps. | | ![](https://www.templecloud.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001.png) | The Employment and Skills Pod is a FREE service that offers information, advice, and guidance to help you consider your work and training options. We can help if you are: • Unemployed • Aged 18 years or over • B&NES resident. We offer a person-centred approach to support individuals with their employment journey. Including: • Bespoke 1:1 support sessions. • CV prep and interview confidence. • Identifying employment goals, and creating an action plan to progress. • Information, advice, and guidance for returning to work. • Referrals which could include wellbeing support or financial advice. To access support go to Skills Connect – contact us | | ![](https://www.templecloud.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image002.jpg) | Future Bright can support Bath and North East Somerset residents. Future Bright’s free personal career coaching is available to individuals who are in paid work. Residents can access the project if they are: ✅ Aged 18 and over ✅ In paid work (including zero hours and self-employed) ✅ Live in the West of England Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step at work. When you sign up, you will be matched with a dedicated career coach who will support you to create a personalised action plan and put it into action. To refer and find out more go to www.futurebright.org.uk or give us a call 01225 395555 ✨ Keep reading to feel inspired by some of our recent participants. | | Agnes’ Future Bright Story Agnes contacted Future Bright after completing a degree that she didn’t really enjoy and she was unsure of which direction she should go in her career. With her careers coach Agnes has worked on her CV and interview skills, started to explore career plans and has applied for funding for driving lessons. Agnes has secured a job with better career prospects and now has a plan about how she would like her career to grow in the future. ‘I have discovered that the sky really is the limit, and that with the right tools you can achieve anything you set your mind to with the right support. If you are unsure of what you want career-wise, Future Bright will equip you with tools to understand your strengths and weaknesses and help you along the journey.’ | | Gloria’s Employment and Skills Pod Story Gloria worked in healthcare for over 10 years, but her mental health had suffered. She came to the Employment and Skills Pod for support. She wanted to get back into work due to financial reasons but did not want to work in health care as the emotional cost and impact on her wellbeing was too high. Alongside the Information Advice and Guidance Officer (IAG), Gloria worked on understanding what motivates her and where her values lie in relation to work, completing a number of transferrable skills exercises. They worked to build her confidence and wellbeing, recognising that routine and structure help her feel more grounded and in control. The IAG helped Gloria secure a volunteering role at a youth organisation and supported her to join an art therapy group. Gloria was supported to secure a work placement with a youth charity as a way of exploring youth work as a potential career chance and to build confidence. Gloria was supported to prepare for several interviews and used feedback to help her improve her interview skills. Gloria has now secured a role as a part time support worker for young people. She is really enjoying the role and the opportunity to be more creative. ‘It felt really good to have someone who listened to my concerns and helped me find my way.’ | | Grace’s Future Bright Story Grace is a self-employed marketing and content developer. Grace contacted Future Bright after she had heard about the project on a Business Development course. She was working out how to move her business to the next level and felt a bit lost. She hoped that working with a careers coach would help. Together with her coach, Andrew, Grace set some clear goals to help her grow her business, applied for funding for start up costs and explored potential training. Grace feels that she has now become more organised, having someone to regularly check in with has helped keep her on track and given her a clear path. ‘Andrew has been patient and a great listener and given me the tools and suggestions I need to help my career journey’ | | Daniel’s Employment and Skills Pod Story When Daniel found himself struggling to afford rising living costs he came to the Employment and Skills Pod for support to find a job. The Information, Advice and Guidance Officer (IAG) referred him to Citizen’s Advice for financial support and began ongoing support from the Pod. They addressed Daniel’s confidence to allow him to move back into the employment environment. They worked on updating his CV, writing job applications, interview preparation and confidence building techniques. With support and encouragement of the IAG Officer Daniel began volunteering in a local charity shop for a few hours a week. After applying for several part time roles Daniel was offered an interview. He attended the interview and was successfully appointed. He now feels he is much more confident which has had a positive impact on his social life. ‘I thought I was beyond help I didn’t know what I was going to do. I love being out more and back at work. The sessions I had with the advisor changed how I see myself.’ | | |