Personal Best & the Olympics

Personal Best is a course that St Mungos has been running, in partnership with City Lit College, since 2008.

Part funded by the ESF (European Social Fund), it is a government-training scheme offering people who have experienced homelessness the chance to gain a volunteering qualification and employment and training support; students who complete the course are guaranteed an interview to volunteer at the London Olympics in 2012.

The course is held 2 days a week, over an 8-week period, and takes place at both City Lit College in Covent Gardens and at various St Mungo's projects. Clients receive assistance with travel and lunch expenses.

City Lit have run many courses for homeless people and have a great deal of respect and understanding of the specific needs of this client group. They also have an excellent reputation for helping people back into work through their ability to turn dry training courses into a positive, motivational experience.

Training

The programme is of a high standard and offers clients a real chance to develop their potential, gain new skills, new qualifications and increase their employability. Whilst on the course clients build up a portfolio of work in the following areas which will be useful in volunteer and work and paid employment:

  • Health and safety
  • Public safety awareness
  • Emergency and basic fire awareness
  • Team working
  • Identifying your skills
  • Customer handling skills and dealing with difficult behaviour

What will clients get out of it?

  • Help looking for voluntary or paid work, training, or other help as needed
  • the opportunity to be involved in voluntary work in local sport and cultural activities
  • A great way to meet new people and get to know your city
  • A personal advisor to help throughout, and after the course

What happens after training?

Post training, clients will get an individual support worker who will work with them to look at their long-term employment goals. For some this might be volunteering, for others training, but for the rest this could be a step towards employment.

if you would like to refer a client please use the Personal Best referral form. If you would like to refer yourself please use the Personal Best Self Referral form form

For More Information on Personal Best contact:
Martin Snowdon on: 0208 960 6798

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