Three former employees of a charity which closed abruptly have formed their own organisation in a bid to continue to help job seekers

Three workers who lost their jobs at short notice have founded their own charity to ensure they can continue to help young people gain employment.

Works+, based in Galashiels, has been set up by three former employees of Tomorrow’s People who were unwilling to stop the essential support they gave to 16 to 24-year-olds in the Borders

Tomorrow’s People, a UK-wide charity which helped young people into work, closed abruptly earlier this year after losing its funding from the Department for Work and Pensions and HSBC.

After turning to Business Gateway Scottish Borders for advice on how to get started, Mark Timmins, Scott Wight and Grant Pringle, with guidance from a board of trustees, secured funding from Inspiring Scotland to launch Works+ in May.

Currently 13 young people are benefiting from the charity’s new 10-week support programme that aims to increase their confidence and arm them with the skills needed to enter employment, further education or training. A further seven youngsters have been supported with their CV, college application or have been signposted to other organisations for assistance.

Timmins said: “Five years ago, Tomorrow’s People secured funding to help young people living in rural areas who faced barriers to employment get the skills and confidence needed to enter the job market. That work was essential, so when the charity closed with no warning earlier this year we were not only left in the same situation as the young people we supported – unemployed - we immediately knew we had to find a way to continue offering support.

“Because I’d benefited from Business Gateway’s expertise previously, I got in touch with my adviser, Annie Watt, as we had no idea how to set up a charitable organisation. She helped us with our business plan and put us in touch with various organisations, including The Bridge whose legal advice and help with our constitution and charitable application was essential.”

“Setting up in the third sector can feel like a monumental task at times,” said Watt. “As well having to secure and retain funding you have to meet business, social or environmental objectives.

“Structures to manage, communicate, monitor and report to a large number of stakeholders are also needed. By working with us, and by tapping into our knowledge, expertise and connections, we were able to help Works+ access the specialist knowledge and skills it needed to get started.”

During the 10-week programme youngsters are asked to set themselves a number of small goals – from arriving on time to being comfortable sitting with others to eat lunch. They then gain employability skills including how to write their own CV and covering letter, how to look for a job and write an effective job application. They then learn interview skills.

Pringle said: “Lots of young people go to interviews and don’t know what’s on the other side – we help demystify the process for them. We work with local employers who provide placements and volunteering opportunities that allow young people to grow in confidence.”