Tag: Recruitment

Local Health Project looking for leaders

We are looking for

VOLUNTEERS WITH ATTITUDE  …

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE !

Are you the kind of person that sees a problem and wants to fix it?

Is your glass always half full? Do you have a skill that you can share with others or would you like to develop new skills?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions then read on…

Pilton Community Health Project is currently looking for Physical Activity LEADERS!

Would you like to lead a group of your own?  Would you like to GET MORE INVOLVED in your community? Do you think you have what it takes to encourage others to get moving? If so, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

We have been encouraging and supporting local people to start up their own activities. So far we have a Bollywood dancing group and a weekly Walk/Jog Group.  We would also welcome IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS for BRAND NEW ACTIVITIES.

Our walk/jog group is expanding fast and there is room for people to get involved in this activity. Here’s what some of our existing volunteers have to say about being an activity leader:

week 2‘Becoming a walk/jog leader has given me something to focus on when not working and chance to contribute to society. It has also given me structure to my day so I have something to do.’

Phil (walk/jog leader)

SAM_0958‘I’ve been dancing Bollywood my whole life and I’ve always dreamt about teaching others to dance too. Volunteering as a dance leader with PCHP has given me the chance to share my love of Bollywood. Leading my own session each week has made me believe I have the skills to be a good teacher. I have met lots of new people from my community, people of all ages and backgrounds. I am proud to live in North Edinburgh.’

Savita Purran

Volunteering can be a highly beneficial and rewarding experience. It can increase confidence and self-esteem. It can also open the door to training and employment and there are great social benefits too!

Over the last year, our fabulous team of physical activity volunteers has grown from strength to strength. In fact, some of them are even award winning!

walking group with ShonaPilton Community Health Project’s walking volunteers have just won the ‘Paths for All volunteer group of the year award’.  The award recognised their dedication and team spirit that has been key to the success and expansion of the walking programme.

The ‘walking with us’ volunteers are passionate about walking and how being active can address health inequalities. Without volunteers, the project wouldn’t be able to offer an increasingly wide range of opportunities for local people. Together they effectively manage the walking groups and help others ‘take steps’ toward improving their health and wellbeing.

“I don’t volunteer to get awards, but I felt honoured that we were given our award in the Parliament – it felt that our work was really acknowledged even at the highest level,” said volunteer Liz.

If you are interested in finding out more about physical activity volunteer opportunities on offer you can:

telephone 0131 551 1671

email  liannepipskyj@pchp.org

or claresymonds@pchp.org.uk

or visit www.pchp.org.uk for more information

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Still looking for the right course?

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Edinburgh College is holding a Recruitment Day at Granton Campus tomorrow (Wednesday 3 September) when anyone wanting to sign up for a course can apply and have a fast-track interview.

The event will take place at the college’s Granton Campus from 3 – 7.30pm. Recruitment advisors and lecturers will be on hand to provide information about courses beginning this autumn, help with applications, and carry out interviews and auditions.

The college has places available on courses in:

• Business
• Computing
• Construction and Building Crafts
• Creative Industries
• Engineering
• English for speakers of other Languages
• Events
• Retail
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Hair and Beauty
• Health
• Languages.

Courses range from access to degree level, including vocational training and professional accredited qualifications. Successful applicants can begin some courses immediately.

Edinburgh College vice-principal (Education Leadership) Ray McCowan said: “This is a great opportunity to go through the whole application process in one go and get a place on a course that’s going to open up new employment or study opportunities.

“Anyone undecided about what they want to do can talk through course options with our teaching staff, find out what the best course for them is, get support with their application and have an interview on the same day. This will make the journey from applying to confirming their place faster. We’re looking forward to welcoming future students and their families, and helping them make the best choices for their educational journey.”

Anyone who cannot make the Recruitment Day can still apply online at

www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/applynow

or by calling 0131 660 1010

You’ll find Edinburgh College Granton Campus at 350 West Granton Road, EH5 1QE.

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Sixty new jobs at Scottish Gas in Granton

Scottish GasAt least sixty new jobs will be created at Scottish Gas HQ on Granton’s waterfront, it has been announced. Parent company Centrica plans to create 300 jobs at contact centres across the UK.

The majority of the new posts will be created in Cardiff and Edinburgh,with the remainder going to Uddingston, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Oldbury and Stockport.

The jobs come on top of 300 similar jobs recently filled.  At least twelve school-leavers will be among the new recruits, as part of British Gas’ commitment to tackle youth unemployment.

Kevin Roxburgh, Director of Customer Services at British Gas, explained: “These extra 300 jobs show our continued focus on customer service excellence. We’re looking for people who are committed to helping customers, to join the 28,000-strong team at British Gas.

“These front line roles are critical to delivering the service our customers expect, helping customers with everything from bills and boiler breakdowns, to engineer visits and energy efficiency.

“Our contact centres are vital to the running of our company. They’re the main point where we’re in touch directly with customers, so it’s important we get it right.

“We’ll be ensuring customers get a swift response and resolution to their queries, by ensuring the right people are always on hand with the knowledge and expertise to help.”

Mr Roxburgh added that all new employees will undertake a comprehensive training period where they will be given the knowledge and expertise to deliver excellent customer experience.

Fresh Start gets down to business

Joyce Clark
Joyce Clark

Resettlement charity Fresh Start has welcomed it’s first ever Business Manager as the charity goes through a period of growth. Joyce Clark takes up the newly created role with the Pilton-based charity, which works to help people make a home for themselves.

Ms Clark comes from a business and marketing background, with her most recent role in the third sector at Sacro, the national community justice voluntary organisation.

The new Business Manager role was created to help the charity grow as demand for its services continues to rise. Fresh Start’s board of directors decided at the start of the recession to promote a programme of expansion which has helped them to meet some of that demand – but the charity is still unable to help all those who need it.

Fresh Start provides a range of services: a Starter Pack service to help people with the basics needed to set up a new home; a Hit Squad service to help people decorate their new home and provide social support; and a training and employability service for people who have been homeless through its social enterprise in PAT Testing.

Keith Robertson, Fresh Start’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joyce to Fresh Start in this newly created role as we expand and grow. Fresh Start has already come far from its roots, based in one of the member’s garages, helping just a handful of people in Pilton. But we are growing faster than ever before and we’re delighted Joyce is starting to help steer the ship in the right direction.”

Business Manager Joyce Clark said: “Fresh Start is a place where real tangible results can be seen in helping people to turn their lives around, thanks to the right kinds of support. I’m delighted to work with such a committed organisation and team – and look forward to helping the charity continue to support people to have a fresh start in life and develop ways of meeting the growing demand.”

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Port of Leith shows Claire commitment to customer service!

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has appointed a new Customer Services Director. Claire Ironside brings twenty years’ experience of working in and developing housing services within Edinburgh and East Lothian.

Joining from the City of Edinburgh Council, Claire was responsible for the letting and management of Council tenancies within the City Centre and Leith, as well as implementing environmental improvement projects in the area. In her new role, Claire will be managing customer services, community initiatives, housing management and TOiL (training opportunities in the Lothians).Claire Ironside PoLHACommenting on her appointment, Claire (pictured above) said: “Delivering good quality affordable homes; devising initiatives that will improve the quality of people’s life and managing good quality affordable housing are all key factors in making a difference to our customers.

“Over the last couple of years I have been based within the Leith Local Office as part of the City Centre/Leith Neighbourhood structure and during this time I have gained an increasing insight into life in the Leith community. I am looking forward to bringing my experience to PoLHA and benefitting its customers.”

Keith Anderson, Port of Leith Housing Association Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted Claire has joined us. She has a wealth of experience, and combined with her advocacy for Leith, will be a great asset to the Association. We’re committed to providing the very best for our tenants and having Claire on board will enable us to continue to do so.”

Recruitment Fair at Granton Campus next week

Employment Fair A5 Flyers_FEB 13

Edinburgh College will be hosting a Recruitment Fair at the Granton Campus next Wednesday (27 February) from 11am – 2pm in The Hub, and while the event is primarily geared toward students members of the local community are more than welcome to go along too.

It’s an opportunity to meet employers, get careers and volunteering advice and you also can get your CV checked over at the CV Clinic.

Interested? For further information contact Emma Hill at Jobzone, telephone 559 4869 or email jobzone@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

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