Routes into community influence.pdf

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 1/23 - Routes into community influence

Routes into community influence

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 2/23 - This report was authored by Anya Mulcahy…

This report was authored by Anya Mulcahy-Bowman, Jodie Freeman and Annie Oliver November 2021

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 3/23 - Executive summary

Executive summary

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 4/23 - This report presents the findings from t…

This report presents the findings from the community research project `Routes into Community Influence carried out in Lawrence Hill between May and August 2021. The research project was funded by the UKRI QR Strategic Priorities Fund, administered by the University of Bristol, and delivered in partnership with a team of six Community Researchers, Wellspring Settlements Economic Resilience and Community Inclusion teams and researchers at the University of Bristol.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 5/23 - A central aim of the `Routes into Commun…

A central aim of the `Routes into Community Influence project was to find a better solution to community concerns about employment and employer engagement � and to help find better, sustainable outcomes for individuals looking for work and maintaining employment in Lawrence Hill. To do so, we wanted to get a sense of why people have struggled to get, maintain, and progress in employment. Why do people seek out employment support and what would really work?

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 6/23 - Profile of respondents

Profile of respondents

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 7/23 - Findings

Findings

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 8/23 - included working fewer hours; longer bre…

included working fewer hours; longer breaks; a reduction in target-driven work, and more resources. � Wages were also an important issue � with some respondents reporting being paid below minimum wage or not getting sick pay or holiday pay. � Lack of progression routes was highlighted as an important challenge, with respondents perceiving barriers to new skills and training opportunities, career progression and transitioning to positions that were better paid.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 9/23 - Experiences of racism or bias were repor…

Experiences of racism or bias were reported as occurring in both overt and covert ways. Respondents highlighted a lack of diversity in the workplace, unconscious bias, and language barriers often creating an atmosphere in which they felt they did not `fit. More overt occurrences included discrimination and a lack of recognition of qualifications and expertise leading to highly qualified people working jobs which require limited qualifications.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 10/23 - Other barriers included: language issues…

Other barriers included: language issues, a lack of understanding of systems (i.e., in terms of accessing work), forms of discrimination against those with learning difficulties or older members of the community, dyslexia and other learning difficulties, family commitments, or a broader lack of motivation.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 11/23 - Help and support required

Help and support required

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 12/23 - Help to understand the jobs market - man…

Help to understand the jobs market - many respondents talked about not understanding how the UK jobs market works. This includes uncertainty about how to translate qualifications from other countries to the UK jobs market and a lack of understanding of many of the job titles and skills needed for such roles � as well as the concept of transferable skills. Many respondents talked about excluding themselves from opportunities because they didnt feel these were marketed towards them; they felt out of reach; or because there was likely to be significant competition from people who did understand the system.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 13/23 - What we offer employers

What we offer employers

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 14/23 - Arrange forum meetings around issues and…

Arrange forum meetings around issues and joint solutions on highlighted barriers to employment � e.g., childcare and caring for others; skill and confidence building; cultures and attitudes to recruitment; equality and diversity issues; working as a self-employed subcontractor. Identify and understand barriers, test and evaluate possible solutions, sharing outcomes with other organisations appropriately and in a timely way, and campaign as the group considers useful and applicable � in the context of `Supply Side, `Infrastructure or `Demand side. Understand and promote connections with other schemes and identify projects elsewhere in Bristol that can be deployed, signposted, or adapted. The Community Employment Forum will partner with and build on the BOOST Finance Project and West of England Works Programme, striving to create seamless links into training and work opportunities and address barriers that are faced by those seeking to engage in employment but find the systems and processes difficult to understand and work for them.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 15/23 - Appendix A � Participants

Appendix A � Participants

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 16/23 - Figure 3 Respondents by age 55 - 64, 13%

Figure 3 Respondents by age 55 - 64, 13%

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 17/23 - Figure 5 Number of respondents who felt …

Figure 5 Number of respondents who felt their day-to-day activities were impacted by a health problem or disability in the last 12 months

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 18/23 - Figure 7 Number of qualifications obtain…

Figure 7 Number of qualifications obtained in the UK and outside the UK

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 19/23 - Figure 9 Respondents currently in paid w…

Figure 9 Respondents currently in paid work No, 46%

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 20/23 - Appendix B � Project Detail and Evaluati…

Appendix B � Project Detail and Evaluation

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 21/23 - Ed Atkins from the University of Bristol…

Ed Atkins from the University of Bristol joined us to talk about ethics, giving context to the universitys role in the project. Describing what ethics is and how it relates to the work we are doing as part of this project. The exercise Ed brought to the group was about values and defining what our values are as individuals and as a group. We then completed a listening exercise and practiced approaching the community.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 22/23 - Session 7 � Preparing for conversations …

Session 7 � Preparing for conversations with the community In this session we role played around how to manage a very difficult, negative and potentially depressing interview. The facilitators were able to use worked experience of these situations, to provide advice and guidance on how to approach this situation. We revisited safeguarding and Wellspring Settlements policies and procedures. We also revisited signposting and how to offer support to interviewees without overstepping boundaries.

Routes into community influence.pdf - page 23/23 - � Being involved in the project has help…

� Being involved in the project has helped increase confidence and helped those involved feel like they were able to be part of effecting positive change in their community.