On Tuesday 1 June and Thursday 3 June we are hosting a job clinic at our Employment Academy community hub in Camberwell. Run by our Employment and Skills team, who help people to get back into work, the two events will be an opportunity for people to meet with the team, get advice, and make use of their expertise in order to better secure meaningful, long term employment.

The job clinic will run between 2pm-4pm on Tuesday 1 June and Thursday 3 June at the Employment Academy, 29 Peckham Road, Camberwell, London SE5 8UA

Areas covered by the job clinic will include:

– Searching for jobs

– Reviewing and improving your CVs

– Job applications

– Digital support

– Interview preparation and skills

– Personal development

– Support when you’re already in work

To book a spot at the job clinic:

If you are a Southwark resident:

email: giovanni.d’eliso@thamesreach.org.uk

phone: 07966 766 044

For all other boroughs:

email: tanja.mrnjaus@thamesreach.org.uk

phone: 07971 952 437

Thames Reach service users put on three truly powerful performances at the National’s Olivier Theatre alongside 200 other cast members.

Pericles, written by William Shakespeare and adapted by writer Chris Bush from the National Theatre, was the first production in the Public Acts initiative – a new programme of sustained partnerships with communities and theatres across the UK, working to create ambitious new works of theatre.

Rehearsals took place at the Employment Academy in Camberwell over the last 10 months, where service users and staff worked hard in preparation for their big stage debut.

Through this project, Thames Reach service users have been able to build their confidence, work as part of a team and most importantly, have some fun whilst making new friends within a creative space.

Thames Reach service user, Gary Green, spoke about how Public Acts has helped to improve his confidence saying:

“On the first day of rehearsals, I didn’t want to say my name. If you’d have asked me to speak in front of 100 people, I would have said no. But I’m pleased to say I have done that now”.

After having his foot amputated some years ago due to a serious gangrene infection, Gary struggled with finding suitable employment and battled with low self-esteem as he adapted to his new lifestyle.

“I always felt hidden and like people couldn’t see me, but being part of Pericles has made me feel human again”.

Pericles is the story of a Prince who has everything, yet understands very little about the world. After being separated from his family and banished from his kingdom, Pericles embarks on a voyage of discovery encountering different communities and kind strangers along the way as he tries to find his way home.

As the story unravels, it becomes a question of what ‘home’ and ‘family’ really means, and only by reaching the end of the earth may Pericles finally understand what it truly means to come home.

Through this adaptation, the audience were treated to a delightful, energetic and surprising mix of acrobatics, cheerleading, a drag performance and waacking, as well as ska music, gospel singing and a club anthem – all carefully assembled to depict the diverse cultures and communities in London.

The show felt inspiring, uplifting and oh so heartwarming. It was a true celebration of people coming together from different backgrounds and succeeded in achieving exactly what the Public Acts initiative set out for; ‘to empower service users through the act of creating theatre together’.

Another Thames Reach service user, Percy Hammond, became homeless a few years ago and often slept rough on the streets and in local parks. Support workers at Croydon Reach found and helped Percy, and supported him to find accommodation before connecting him with the Tenancy Sustainment Team and staff at Thames Reach Employment Academy for support with his mental health issues. Percy said:

“Being part of Pericles really saved my life. I was lost, and it gave me a routine, occupied my mind and gave me hope for a better tomorrow.

“What I have been through is something that can happen to real and ordinary people, and I am eternally grateful for the project and the directors and crew who encouraged us and made us feel excited. It felt good to entertain someone”.

Virginia Croft, Basic Skills Coordinator at Thames Reach said:

“Thames Reach would like to say a huge well done and congratulations to all the cast and crew for their hard work and extraordinary efforts in this production.

“People who have felt they had to hide for most of their lives have literally become centre stage.

“We have seen a stupendous change in the way clients walk, talk and hold themselves – it is just amazing.

“We hope that this is a starting point for all the clients, volunteers and staff who took part to believe they can face their challenges head on.

“Everyone should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and we look forward to seeing more Public Acts performances in the future”.

In true theatre style, the show must go on, and the next series of workshops and rehearsals will begin at the Employment Academy in Camberwell in October, ready for the next big production in August 2019.

All partners of the Public Acts initiative include; Body & Soul, The Bromley by Bow Centre, Coram, DABD, Faith and Belief Forum, Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA), Open Age, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Thames Reach.

Photo: Credit to James Bellorini

Pericles ran at the National’s Olivier Theatre from 26 – 28 August.

A group of female trainees have successfully completed Moving In Moving On (MIMO), a six-week painting and decorating course based at the Thames Reach Employment Academy in Camberwell and the Bells Gardens Community Centre in Peckham.

The Thames Reach MIMO project, funded by the MariaMarina Foundation, aims to help people who may be vulnerable, socially isolated or those who have experienced long-term unemployment to build practical skills, confidence and friendships in a safe and focused environment, and prepare them in finding future employment.

The women spent the first three weeks at Thames Reach Employment Academy where they learnt basic painting and decorating skills in the classroom such as preparing surfaces, plastering, health and safety in the workplace and intricate stencil designs enabling them to create their own artwork.

On the final three weeks of the course, the trainees put their skills to the test in a real life setting as they redecorated the entire front of reception at the Bells Gardens Community Centre in Peckham, giving it a fresh new feel. A huge task which was well received from all staff members at the centre.

Margaret Onwuta, Senior Manager at the Bells Gardens Community Centre spoke about the project saying;

“On behalf of the organisation, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the ladies for a job well done.

“When I met with them initially I was not sure of what to expect until they started preparing the area.

“They were a lovely group who not only got on well with each other, but with our staff team and visitors”.

On completion of the course, each woman was presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievement and commitment. They now have the opportunity to undertake accredited City & Guilds training in painting skills which will be delivered at the Employment Academy in partnership with Flower Skills Training – an organisation providing specialist training and development for working in the construction sector.

The women spoke fondly of their time on the course and the chance it gave them to express themselves creatively and develop practical skills, all whilst getting to know a team of other women in similar life situations.

One lady, who has been a resident at Thames Reach’s Lambeth High Street hostel for the last year-and-a-half after losing her flat, spoke about her experience on MIMO, saying:

“To be honest, I thought it would be boring. But now I’m glad I took part.

“We were given a lot of choice and freedom to express ourselves on MIMO and the course educated me in areas that I never knew.

“It’s definitely helped improve my confidence and now I’m looking at doing other courses, maybe another six week course or a yearlong one”.

Another trainee described the course as;

“A very interactive and fun course which gives practical skills and confidence to be in social environments.

“It brings you out of your shell and helps create a sense of independence.

“I now want to try my hand at gardening”.

Historically, the outcomes of this course have been highly impressive with trainees going on to further their skills and knowledge, gain accredited City & Guilds qualifications and find and sustain employment.

Thames Reach is committed to supporting men and women with complex and multiple needs, and will continue to evolve its services ensuring every service user is supported to move away from homelessness