Trailblazing the way: stories from Salford Futures (#4)

Salford Futures is a work experience programme designed to help residents who have been out of work reconnect with employment opportunities. The programme offers tailored support through one-to-one mentoring, employability training, and now paid placements through the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) scheme. The goal of Salford Futures is to provide the right support at the right time, helping Salford residents to build confidence, develop skills, and take steps toward sustainable employment.

At Inspiring Communities Together, both Kitt and Alexcia have been placed into office based roles, developing new skills and confidence in a supportive environment and a space for them to grow, learn, and thrive at work.

Kitt

Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Kitt, I work at Inspiring Communities Together (ICT) and my job title is Admin Assistant.

What initially motivated you to join the Salford Futures programme, and how did you hear about it?
I heard about it from my Job Coach in the Restart programme, and it sounded like a really good idea. I didn’t have very much work experience before, and I was originally just on an eight week placement with ICT. After that, they offered me the paid position and I stayed with them because I really enjoyed working with them.

Can you talk a little about your experience so far? What are some of the most valuable skills or lessons you've learned?
I’ve had a really, really good experience because everyone is really supportive. I’ve learned a lot of things, like the different programmes you use, such as the CRM and Excel. I’ve also improved my confidence a lot, and I feel way more comfortable speaking on the phone, which used to be the worst thing for me, but now it’s fine. I also feel comfortable representing the company in meetings outside the organisation, and I just feel a lot more confident in myself and my ability to do things.

Have there been any challenges, and if so, how have you overcome them?
Nothing that I haven’t been able to overcome because I’ve had a lot of support. Starting to make phone calls was really difficult for me, but I got used to that. I also helped people who were on the Learning for Work, Learning for Life programme that I was on when I first started with ICT. I found it tricky at first to help mentor people, but I’ve gotten more confident. I still get a bit nervous sometimes, but I feel way more confident in it now. Probably the biggest challenge is helping people with their CVs. Sometimes I’m not super sure about answering their questions, but I usually find that to be fine.

How is Salford Futures preparing you for employment or further opportunities?
With this work experience, it will be way easier for me to have a job. I wouldn’t have found this placement with ICT without Salford Futures, which I’m really grateful for. They’ve continuously supported me every week to check on all the things I’m doing and how things could be improved. It’s been helpful for me because I sit with a work journal, and it helps me monitor and acknowledge my progress. It’s made me feel a lot more confident about being able to find a job in the future.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the programme?
If you’re nervous about it, I would just go for it because you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

And finally, what kind of tasks and projects do you work on in your day to day role?
I do a lot of phone calls and scheduling meetings. I do a weekly newsletter using the CRM that goes out to everyone on the Age Friendly Salford mailing list. I help manage the website for Age Friendly Salford by uploading events. I do lots of emails, attend meetings, and help mentor people on work experience. A big range of things.

Alexcia

Alexcia, could you introduce yourself?
I’m Alexcia. I’m working at Inspiring Communities Together and I am a Marketing and Content Assistant.

What initially motivated you to join this programme, and how did you hear about it?
Well, I came from the Salford Supported Employment Service. Lynne, who was working with me there, got me to this point, because before, I was so nervous about getting a job and I didn’t think I was ready. I worked with her and got to the point where I felt like, yeah, I’m ready for work now. So she said, okay, I’m going to move you on to this.

Can you tell me a little about your experience so far? What are the most valuable things you've learned?
It’s been really good. I’ve learned what an office environment is like to work in. I’ve never worked in an office before, only retail type or customer service jobs. It was quite nerve wracking. Even simple things, like sending professional emails to colleagues, were new to me. Having people ask me to do tasks, interacting, going back and forth, figuring out how things work, pretty much all of it has been new. But it’s been really good.

What kind of daily tasks or projects do you work on in your role?
Mostly design work. I’ve been designing things for social media, doing social media posts, writing posts, scheduling them on Hootsuite. We’ve got a new social media website where you can pre schedule posts. I had some design experience from uni, so I’ve been helping with a bit of a rebrand and promoting things on social media.

Have there been any challenges in your placement, and how have you overcome them?
Probably initially my nervousness, or a few communication gaps. There hasn’t been anything major. Everyone here has been really nice and patient, so it hasn’t been too much of a challenge.

How is the programme preparing you for employment or further opportunities?
I understand what it feels like to work in an office now, and I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to try it. So whatever I go into next, I won’t feel completely in the dark, I’ll have an understanding of how it all works.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining Salford Futures?
I’d say it’s definitely worth a go. I’ve only had good experiences with it. I feel more confident now. The place I’m in now, I didn’t think I’d ever really be there. I never thought I’d feel this confident doing tasks, working in an office, communicating with colleagues. It felt like an alien idea before. But now it’s like night and day. So yeah, I’d say go for it. It’s definitely worth it.

For more information on the Salford Futures programme, email [email protected].