A NEW initiative is under way to help Uttlesford’s unemployed.
(picture 153454r "TALK TO US: Saffron Walden mayor Doug Perry, centre, with volunteers Noel Starr, the Rev Chris Warren, Eddie Howson, Graham Cottam and the Rev Paula Griffiths (s)")St Mary’s Church in Saffron Walden is starting the Transition Project, a six-week research scheme to gather experiences and ideas from the jobless.
Although the recession is officially over, the Rev Christopher Warren, a member of the ministry team, said that redundancy and unemployment continued to be an issue for Uttlesford residents.
The number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the town has almost trebled from 315 in January 2008 to 908, up from 0.7 per cent of the working age population to 2.1 per cent.
Mr Warren said: “In percentage terms this is a huge increase, and because Jobseeker’s Allowance is means-tested after the first six months it probably represents a low figure.”
With the support of Saffron Walden Town Council, the Transition Project will hold sessions on six Tuesdays from February 9 to March 16 between 11am and 2pm in the town hall.
Mr Warren said: “We’re hoping that as many people as possible who are out of work will drop in at some point during one of the weekly sessions to talk to one of our volunteers about how unemployment is affecting them and to share their ideas on what kind of support service would suit them best.”
Many of the volunteers taking part have experienced redundancy and unemployment themselves.
One of them, Eddie Howson, held a senior management role in manufacturing and, after many years of experience in sales, engineering and quality management, was made redundant in December 2008 when his company’s UK base closed.
“After so many years of being employed, I was surprised that losing my job was just like having a bereavement,” he said. “I went through all the different parts of the grieving process, from numbness to anger, rejection and depression to understanding, acceptance and then moving on.
“I was really grateful for the support given to me by people who had experience in this area, as well as friends and family.”
For more information, see the Transition Project website at
www.transitionproject.co.uk or ring (01799) 530317.