Training, skills, and employment support
Our Tenants First team are here to help and support you if you’re unemployed or not currently in education or training.
We work with partners to support our tenants and their families to overcome barriers, access education or training, and move forward to gain employment.
Our support is tailored to your needs and the help we can offer includes:
- Support with low-level mental health issues
- Financial management
- Confidence building
- Digital inclusion and IT skills
- Vocational training
- CV writing
- Interview skills
- Job searching
- Childcare support while you access the above
- Licences, interview clothes, and travel costs (funding available)
Grow your ambition!
Getting back into learning is a great way to meet people, grow your confidence, and learn new skills. It also supports good health and wellbeing, and helps you connect with others.
Join us today and work with our friendly Ambition Coaches Dani, Freya, and Lisa. We’re here to offer advice and support so you can access opportunities to learn and gain experience in your local area including one-off activities, workshops, work experience, and volunteering in the community. We’ll help you spark your interests and find new things that you love doing.
Starting training, education, or finding work can be daunting, but you’re in good hands with us.
You can read some of our recent case studies below. Wherever you’re at on this journey, we’re here to help. We can also signpost you into other local services.
Who is the programme for?
Our Ambition programme is for people who are currently inactive – not in education, training, or employment. You can be a Berneslai Homes tenant, living in a council property, or on the housing register.
How does it work?
It’s your journey and we want to find the right way forward for you. We’ll support you at the right pace, with activities and opportunities you’ll enjoy.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Meet your Ambition Coach
- Tell us about the hobbies and interests you have, and anything new you’d like to try
- We’ll match you with local opportunities to learn and gain experience!
You’ll meet with one of our friendly and supportive Ambition Coaches who is here to help you get the most out of the programme. When you meet us, we’ll listen and understand what’s important to you. We’ll chat with you about the things you enjoy doing such as hobbies and pastimes, and what sort of opportunities you’d like to access locally, as well as the skills, abilities, and experience you already have.
We’ll match you with activities to suit your preferences. You’ll get to meet new people, take part in activities, learn new skills, and grow your confidence.
We can also offer you a range of practical support such as helping you to access online services, checking you have access to the right financial support for your individual circumstances, and getting you access to local health services.
During your time with us on the programme, you’ll gain a range of transferable skills, access to local support and information, and discover the things you enjoy. We’ll support you as long as you need us, and when you’re ready, we’ll help you access additional support with Barnsley Council.
Join our Ambition programme today
If you want to know more about the Ambition programme or to register your interest, please email workandskills@berneslaihomes.co.uk
Let us know the best way to contact you and a member of our friendly team will get in touch!
Meet the team!
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy crafting. I’m currently using epoxy resin and have a small craft business where I regularly attend events to sell my items.
What’s your most interesting or unusual skill?
I once abseiled down the side of Barnsley College for charity - it was scary but good fun!
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I enjoy meeting new people, working with them to achieve their dreams, and helping them to overcome any barriers that are stopping them. I love hearing about the different careers that people want to have and finding a way forward with them.
What can people expect when they join the ambition programme?
They will have a dedicated friendly advisor who will support them in creating a personalised action plan to help them in achieve their ambitions and making their dreams a reality!
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of getting in touch with the Ambition Team?
Don’t wait! Contact us and find out how we can support you in achieving your ambitions – we’re a very friendly and approachable team and we’ll do all we can to help you.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I wanted to join a rounders team but there wasn’t one in my village so I helped create one. We now have around thirty members and have recently been granted £3,000 for equipment and kit! This year I’ve also started learning the guitar.
What’s your most interesting or unusual skill?
I can say the alphabet backwards very quickly, and I speak Italian.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
We build a great working relationship with the person we’re supporting and we’re on a journey to success with them. Seeing someone grow in confidence and achieve their goals is the best thing.
What can people expect when they join the ambition programme?
You’ll always get a warm, friendly welcome. It’s your journey, so it’s totally at your pace. After your initial assessment, we’ll explore all your options and aspirations. We’ll then create a plan, breaking down the barriers, offering information, opportunities, and guidance along the way.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of getting in touch with the Ambition Team?
It’s a conversation and there’s no judgement, no obligation, and no cost. One chat with us could change your life!
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love watching and playing rugby and most weekends we’re either down at the rugby club or sat in front of the telly watching premiership and international rugby.
What’s your most interesting or unusual skill?
I had my own pony for around ten years and took part in competitions and often went for long rides out in the countryside. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl!
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I love seeing people grow in confidence. Often people come to us feeling really nervous and worried about starting something new, but I love reassuring them that we’re here to support them, and seeing them do well and succeed in their goals is the best part of the job!
What can people expect when they join the ambition programme?
There’s absolutely no pressure. We can meet every week, every month, or every few months. We can meet for a coffee, we can meet at your house, or we can go to the library. We just want to help you feel confident and comfortable wherever suits you and in whatever way we can. We find out exactly what you’d like to do or want to achieve to get the best out of you. We’ll never push anyone into anything they don’t feel comfortable doing. It’s all about you at the end of the day.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of getting in touch with the Ambition Team?
Just do it! We’re a friendly and approachable bunch. We’re here to support and grow with you, we love being part of your journey, and nothing is too much!
How is the programme funded?
This support is delivered as part of Skills & Employability South Yorkshire in partnership with Barnsley Council. The programme is part-funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Visit Barnsley Council's website here to learn more.
Case Studies
Take a look at our inspiring case studies from tenants who we've helped and supported.
Mike
Mike was struggling to find experience and a full-time job after successfully completing his qualifications and purchasing all the tools he needed.
Our ACHIEVE team helped him produce a CV and he was given the opportunity to undertake two days’ work experience within our Construction Services team.
We’re pleased Mike has now started working for Berneslai Homes as an electrical apprentice.
River
River, aged 18 asked for help from our ACHIEVE team after completing a GCSE in Childcare Development.
Our ACHIEVE team helped River with her CV, interview skills and even helped her with an interview outfit.
River has found her dream job as an apprentice at a local nursery. We’re pleased River is now feeling confident and happy.
Joan
Joan asked for help from our ACHIEVE team. A lack of opportunity to learn digital skills over many years has left her feeling vulnerable and isolated from family and friends. She was also struggling to do daily tasks online.
With help and support from our ACHIEVE team she’s now using the internet, online banking and connecting with her family and friends using social media. We’re pleased to see that Joan is confident, happy and enjoying life.
Liz
Liz was one of 72 tenants who joined our Community Boost 'Have A Go' sessions between April to September 2022.
The sessions were funded by Barnsley Council through the Community Renewal Fund, making them free for eligible unemployed residents living in the central Barnsley ward.
Participants had the opportunity to access 30 hours of training, learning about things like home improvements and DIY, beauty and hair extensions, macrame fashion and homewares, and much more.
Lara
Lara, a single parent wanted to set up her own business around her son. She asked our ACHIEVE team for help after attending our Self Employment workshop, as she wanted to set up a messy plan group for toddlers.
Our ACHIEVE programme helped to support Lara financially and funded the cost for her to attend several courses and purchased some messy play mats to carry out the activities. The team also helped Lara with a business plan and to register her business.
We’re pleased to see that Lara’s new business The Ccribb is up and running and providing lots of fun messy play for toddlers to enjoy. You can find out more about The Ccribb here.