Project linked to Olympics is helping the unemployed

Action Acton celebrated the achievements of participants of a recent employability project for Ealing residents linked to the Olympics .
The Personal Best programme, run across all London Boroughs, has been funded by the London Development Agency (LDA), Learning and Skills Council (LSC/SFA) and European Social Fund.
The project aimed at providing unemployed individuals volunteer work experience, training, qualifications , and employment opportunities.
Rod Cahill, Chair of Action Acton spoke at the event and other guests included Cllr John Gallagher (Deputy Mayor ) and Hannah McLeod ,Hockey Olympian from Ealing, who presented certificates .

Rod Cahill , Chair of Action Acton said:
‘We are delighted that Action Acton’s partnership with ECVS and local community groups has resulted in so many Ealing residents benefitting from this exciting project linked to the Olympics’

Jan Lewis, Marketing Manager at West London YMCA, said, “West London YMCA develops opportunities that transforms young lives. It was thrilling to see so many people receive certificates for a programme which has made a real difference to their future prospects. There were a lot of smiles!”

Background:

The Personal Best Project in Ealing was led by Action Acton in partnership with Ealing Community and Voluntary Services (ECVS) . It offered 20 hours voluntary work experience, guidance and support together with an accredited qualification to raise the participants’ aspirations and confidence, helping them move closer to the job market. The programme also offered all graduates the opportunity of an interview to become a volunteer at the 2012 Olympics on their completion of the programme.
The Ealing project was the best performing ‘2nd wave’ Personal Best project in London .
181 individuals completed the programme and 125 achieved level 1 qualification in Pre- Olympic Events Volunteering, with the remaining 56 awaiting their results.
Action Acton and ECVS have helped learners find volunteer work experience and Action Acton has also helped them find employment.
So far 66 of the learners have progressed after the course to long-term voluntary positions and 27 to paid employment.
Action Acton is an expanding West London charity, Development Trust, Limited Liability Company and Social Enterprise, working to promote economic and community regeneration in Acton, Ealing and adjoining West London boroughs. Action Acton runs projects and services to help disadvantaged, unemployed individuals secure employment, improve literacy, numeracy and basic skills and to set up their own businesses

1st November 2010