Building skills for the New Year

Dec. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- An innovative project set to take off in 2010 is offering traditional skills to people looking for a new career in the New Year. Sheffield charity “Speak Easy” wants to hear now from anyone across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire wanting to train in landscaping, building repair, painting and decorating, joinery, plumbing and much more.

As well as targeting elderly and vulnerable people in and around Sheffield who need help with repairs and renovations on their homes, Speak Easy is now also converting disused shop units in Abbeydale Road into affordable small offices and studios for small businesses; and trainees have already started transforming this site.

Speak Easy Project Director John Johnson said, “Anyone can get involved and travel expenses will be covered. We are looking for trainees as well as craftsmen or women with experience they'd like to pass on. The project is entering an exciting phase and we have media students from Sheffield College documenting our progress on DVD.”

Speak Easy also works with British Trust Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), an organisation providing access back into work for individuals who may be recovering from illness or who experience difficulty getting into the job market.

BTCV Employment Officer Gareth Pearson said, “We particularly value Speak Easy's caring ethos and professionalism to the point that some of our clients are already undergoing valuable training with them. There's no need to be claiming state benefits in order to qualify for the BTCV scheme and Speak Easy can set up an appointment with a Jobcentre Plus Employment Adviser to get the ball rolling.”

Speak Easy's John Johnson said valuable training in essential building skills is available now and he welcomes enquiries on 07826422604.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:
Photo opportunities can be arranged by calling John Johnson on 07826422604. or Russell Cavanagh on 07506700393. However, pictures are attached to this news release's cover email.

Background:
Speak Easy was set up in 2005 and is a cooperative social enterprise. Speak Easy was primarily concerned that elderly, disabled or otherwise vulnerable people could not access affordable services to improve their homes – e.g., gardening, repairs and redecorating – and has now progressed to the point of successfully developing contracts with the commercial sector to carry out urban regeneration work on a larger scale.

Speak Easy has established good links with the British Conservation Trust Volunteers charity in order to provide training placements.

Speak Easy's website is at http://speakeasysheffield.wordpress.com


Contacts:
John Johnson (Project Director) -  07826422604
Russell Cavanagh (media liaison) – 07506700393 or russell@russellcavanagh.com