We've been working behind the scenes on an ambitious project to help those who have found themselves out of work not only increase their chances of getting back into work but also build healthier outcomes for themselves in the future. So even if they are not lucky enough to find work, they are less likely to become physically or mentally ill.
This all started in a conversation with our fabulous Coach,
Lynn Spachuk. Lynn is based in Houston, Texas, and as well as being an Energy Coach for us, she also helps people who have been recently laid off, as they call it over there, get back to work. As she did this work she was increasingly finding that when she needed to lean on Energise.me's principles to help clients with energy and wellbeing, those clients were finding jobs quicker than those that just wanted help with more traditional job seekers support.
That got us thinking 💭💭💭. What if we could help all the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who find themselves unemployed? The public health benefits of doing so are as great if not greater than the potential benefit of gaining employment. According to
The What Works Wellbeing Centre, for which The Business School at the UEA is a member, the case for looking after people's health whilst unemployed is well proven .
So what have we been doing to progress this idea? Well, we've so far had lots of conversations with The Department for Works and Pensions, New Anglia LEP, East Coast College, Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council to try to get a pilot scheme running in Great Yarmouth. The idea would be to build on the great work we did over lockdown with employed people (and prior) and adapt this content to be specific and relevant to people who find themselves out of work. It's early days, and it's not fixed on Great Yarmouth, but given the massive need and the fact that I grew up here and we are based here, it kind of feels right.
We Need Your Help!!!! If you are involved in this space or have a great introduction to someone who is, we'd love to hear from you. Anyone who can add value to this project is welcome aboard. We are looking for both the contribution to making this a success and of course funding to make it happen. We are particularly interested in Public Health partners.
Can we help you in the meantime?If you have found yourself unemployed and would like our help in the meantime, no matter where you live, we'd be delighted to give you
free access to the 10-week course we built for people during the lockdown. It's delivered some fantastic outcomes for individuals. It's not built with people out of work specifically in mind, but 95% of the content will still be relevant. All we ask in return is that you give us the feedback of what you would change about it to make it more specific to you in your current position.
So if you are out of work, or know someone that is, please let us know and we'll get you connected up for free.
Here's hoping to make a massive difference. Stay safe, energised and resourceful.
Ian Hacon,
Founder Energise.me
