EAST MARSH MUM’S MISSION IS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT EMPLOYABILITY

Lisa Cox is the employability champion for the East Marsh.

The 34-year-old mother of two has been given the task of spreading the word about training and job opportunities to fellow parents at the East Marsh Children’s Centre.

Her main role will be to refer unemployed parents to the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) Employability Scheme, which offers work placements for up to 26 weeks.

The role of employability champion is the result of a new partnership between the East Marsh Children’s Centre and the CTP.

The partnership was forged during a meeting of the ward’s Worklessness Collaborative – a group of organisations and individuals aiming to improve employability within the area.

Lisa said: “I speak to parents and ask them if they want to get back into work, and if so I refer them to the CTP.

“A lot of people have been out of work for such a long time that they have got stuck in a rut. They have low self-esteem and are unsure about getting back into work.

“But I have referred four people already and one has got a job. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Lisa is hoping to use her experience in her new role as a springboard to a career as a care worker.

She is currently taking her maths and English GCSEs at the children’s centre. The centre offers a range of learning opportunities, from courses such as aromatherapy and cooking, to GCSE maths and English and computer skills.

Another part of Lisa’s role will be to make parents aware of these opportunities.

Lisa Gregory, the co-ordinator of the East Marsh Children’s centre, said: “We have approached parents at the centre who have shown an interest in getting some education or getting back into work.

“What Lisa has really picked up on since she started her role is that there is already a lot of help and information out there – we just need to make people aware of it.”

For more information, call into the East Marsh Children’s Centre on Victor Street, Grimsby, or call (01472) 326860.