Volunteers Week 2022

Tom first came to CCA to study Music Performance Level 2. It was there he learnt that CCA also ran the Next Steps Project. At that time Tom was also volunteering in Sense Charity Shop as a store assistant, but Tom had always wanted to work in a cinema. He had applied for jobs in cinemas but never had any success. 

When he joined Next Steps in late 2019 Christine and Tom set about to improve his CV and help with job searching. Alan arranged a tour of the local Arts Picturehouse for Tom to meet the staff and get a glimpse into working at a cinema in March 20.  However, that same month the covid pandemic forced the country into lockdowns and the tour was cancelled. Throughout the period of the pandemic cinemas and live arts venues suffered from extended periods of lockdown. 

 

Jason has struggled in the past because of an ongoing condition that affects the co-ordination of signals between his brain and speech. His diagnosed condition has had a severe negative impact on him growing up, and development in his personal and work life. Unfortunately this has disrupted all of his education which inevitably is causing him difficulties with moving forward into employment.  

Jason was referred to us by his Job Centre work coach who felt the ‘Building Better Opportunities’ project would be the best fit for him as we can spend the time to support him by initially building trust with him and work towards finding a suitable pathway into volunteering and possible future employment.