The specific problem this project seeks to address is ingrained unemployment and social and economic exclusion for a significant minority of residents in Marsh Farm who are referred to by agencies as ‘hard to reach’ or ‘excluded’. The problem has three key features upon which this project can impact positively: the negative effects on the people who are living in a condition of unemployment and deprivation, the limitations to the effectiveness of services which are currently there to assist the unemployed back into work and the overall effect of this on the community at large.
The harsh impact of long term unemployment and social exclusion on communities and the residents involved is hard to overstate. The daily reality for many people on Marsh Farm is one of entrenched benefit dependency, not as a result of a lack of want to work in the majority of cases but because of a range of other factors.
FAQ
Who will employ the participants before their organisations are formed?
For the duration of the 8 week workshop itself all OW participants will be employed by Marsh Farm Outreach CIC.
By the end of the 8 weeks each enterprise will have its own employment and HR arrangements in place with book keeping and marketing services provided by sister OW enterprises.
What is the potential for employee movement between enterprises?
Employees will be free to move between areas of work as long as there is somebody in each enterprise area who wants to swap places. Every enterprise has a finite number of staff needed to make the business efficient and sustainable which cannot be exceeded.
Will mentors and participants be CRB cleared?
All mentors will be checked with the CRB. Wherever required, participants will complete CRB applications (e.g. music studio staff) at recruitment stage, enabling clearance to work in these areas be obtained prior to start of the OW.
