Cyber assured …

We are pleased to have been assessed as meeting the Cyber Essentials scheme and have been awarded a Certificate of Assurance from April 2018

After working as a merchandiser within a supermarket for more than 20 years, I made a move to Eastbourne and started to look for a job.

But I found it desperately difficult. It was so frustrating not getting anywhere, and with no responses from employers. It was demoralising. The sense of rejection was crushing.

Then I discovered a charity called People Matter in Gildredge Road. One of their team helped me update my CV and provided me with a covering letter. I then attended some free workshops to help with job searches and applications, and then with interview techniques. They were incredibly useful and made me feel a lot more confident.

And then, again through People Matter, another door opened and I was interviewed by the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce for a role as membership and events co-ordinator. I was thrilled to be offered the part-time job, which has since become a full-time position. They are a great team and I am so happy there. Six months on and those difficult days seem a long time ago. I just wanted to say a big thank you to People Matter. What they did for me was brilliant. And they are doing if for many other people, too, and without charge. They are a charity that works tirelessly at getting people into work – and increasingly helping people who are already employed to find the new opportunity they are seeking. They did so much to get me back on my feet – and could do the same for others. Thank you People Matter. And thank you Chamber of Commerce.

JILL BENJAFIELD, Rotunda Road

Extract from the Eastbourne Herald [Friday 23 March 2018]

Read our latest news and announcements in our NEWSLETTER March 2018

Our CEO and members of the Eastbourne Strategic Partnership were treated to a guided tour behind the scenes of the building of the new Arndale Centre – to be known as the Beacon. Over the coming months, we are looking forward to working with employers and helping to identify job opportunities for local job seekers.

People Matter staff and volunteers received training in Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder on 9 March 2018. We are now aware of the Stress Alert Card scheme and the sensory challenges faced by people with autism.

We hope to put our training into good use by working with local employers to support clients with autism into employment.

at the Eastbourne day of prayer 2018 … to share our hope of equipping people for employment

We recently carried out fire safety training for all staff. Understanding the sources of fire and identifying any potential hazards and risks in our building. Following on from this, we’re reviewing our policy and putting a few extra safety procedures in place.

The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne kindly hosted us for a cream tea as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations. On this occasion, we were joined by Sandy Medway our founder, who gave an inspiring presentation on what led her to start the charity all those year’s ago and also a flavour of her journey since then and the activities she is currently involved in.

Intrepid walker Verena Leppard and members of her family recently undertook a walk across a number of London bridges and have donated £85 from funds raised to People Matter. We are grateful to Verena and her team.

Grateful thanks to Judith Moore who completed a sponsored swim of 100 lengths at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne and raised almost £300 for People Matter. Judith was accompanied by Kathryn Anderson another of our loyal supporters.

a big thank you to Eastbourne Rotary for their kind donation of £500 to support our work

We recently held a Vintage Tea in celebration of being established and serving the Eastbourne and Wealden job seeking community for the past 20 years. Around 80 people gathered at Victoria Baptist Church, including The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Pat Hearn and Philip Hearn her Consort. We were all treated to a sumptuous cream tea, prepared and served by a new local company ‘The Vintage Kitchen‘.

students from Cavendish, Moira House and Ringmer secondary schools who came joint top in our ‘Great Interview Challenge’ competition at the Big Futures Show.

They all managed to correctly sort 16 interview skills and behaviours in just 8 seconds! – surely some great employees of the future.

You can support our work by buying tickets to win a Barry Wilson original painting or a stunning picture-sized photograph mounted on canvas by Jonathan Webley. The combined value of these two prizes is £2,765.  The closing date to purchase tickets online is 12 noon on Monday 27th March; or 12 noon on Thursday 30th March at our offices in Gildredge Road. The draw will take place at 12 noon on 31st March at The Grand Hotel and we will contact you if you have won.

Thanks to the St Elisabeth’s Church and all those involved in the ‘Yule Love It’ event. We have received a cheque for £600.

Thanks to the Hall & Woodhouse community chest fund for voluntary organisations in the south of England. We have received a cheque for £1,400 towards our Confidence building workshop.

A dedicated band of walkers and their dogs recently completed a trail around Friston Forest raising much needed funds for People Matter.

Congratulations to Jane Steen – winner of the Super Senior category at the Eastbourne Achievers Awards 2016 for her work as a volunteer here at People Matter for the last 13 years and for 25 years in the Girl Guides movement in the Eastbourne area. Jane is also an active member of All Saints Church involved in Prime Time – a group for older people and also as a welcomer, lesson reader and coffee maker. Jane also volunteers at the Eastbourne winter night shelter during December to February. At People Matter, we are grateful to Jane for keeping our day to day finances in order and for her cycling fund raising exploits too.

 

If you fall down hurt …

or you feel unwell …

who you gonna call? …

First Aiders!

Ann, Jo, Amanda and Carol recently successfully completed Emergency First Aid at Work course.

Thanks to Phil from PJB Training Ltd.

Here’s the after and before photos!

Can you spare a few hours each week to help at People Matter?

We currently have the following volunteer opportunity in our main office in Gildredge Road, Eastbourne

 

Daily Help (Domestic Assistant)

Our current post holder is retiring in August. Could you help with keeping our offices spick and span?

Our offices are on three floors and we need help with cleaning, hoovering, checking and refilling supplies, loading and unloading the dishwasher and other domestic duties.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Carol Hyatt, HR Officer for more information, email: carol@people-matter.org.uk

Chris Browne Builders, specialising in school construction works has recently completed the new state-of-the-art sports hall facility at St Andrew’s Prep, Meads, Eastbourne.  This development was subject to a local labour agreement supporting local business and people.  To enable ongoing assistance to those looking for employment in the construction industry, Chris Browne Builders made a donation to People Matter.

Chris Browne said ‘We are pleased to support those looking to secure employment and a career in construction.  Some of my staff started on an apprenticeship and others have joined us after a career change and are still with us many years later.  The construction industry offers many career paths and there are opportunities to develop skills whilst working.  With the level of development and regeneration taking place in the south east, construction is a good career choice.’

Photograph of Ann Gillard, General Manager of People Matter receiving the donation from Chris Browne.

The new People Matter website has just been launched. We look forward to hearing your feedback!