Careers fair
On 22 September, we’ll be joining Unity Homes & Enterprise’s career fair at Ramgarhia Sikh Sports Centre, Leeds from 12pm-5:30pm. Alongside our in-house contractor, APS, we’ll be chatting through different roles in the Housing sector – from plumbers and neighbourhood officers to customer support and repairs. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other local employers. Find out more about the event.
Employment support
Unity Homes & Enterprise will also be joining our Housing Hub this month, to offer a free job club to Leeds Federated customers.
At our Housing Hub job club, you’ll be able to get support with:
- updating your CV
- career advice
- searching for jobs
- cover letters and application forms
- preparing for interviews
“With support I looked through so many avenues…The encouragement and positivity given to me were important as it helped me to recognise the skills that I already had and how I could promote these skills when applying for a job”
The Housing Hub is on 25 September between 10am-3pm at Age UK Leeds Bradbury Building (Mark Lane, Leeds LS2 8JA). You can book an appointment at our Hub by calling us on 0113 386 1000, or you can just drop in on the day.
If you can’t make the job club at this month’s Housing Hub, Unity Homes & Enterprise run a monthly drop-in session every Thursday from 1pm-4pm at Unity Business Centre, 28 Roundhay Road, LS7 1AB.
“Even if you are someone who has worked for many years but have found yourself in a position of uncertainty, career change or need to refresh what you know, I would recommend the service”
If you’d like to learn more about the job club and how it could help you, read about the experiences of previous Unity Homes & Enterprise job club clients:
Client A
“I’ve used [the job club] services on two occasions. Once many years ago when I needed a job to financially support my growing family and again due to losing my job.
Unfortunately, my contract was terminated, and things were becoming difficult for me. I came back again to the employment services team for support because I was working for several employment agencies as a support worker on a zero-hour contract. This was not stable for me to support my family because the work was not regular.
[At the job club] I was given the guidance to look for job opportunities and given support with how to develop my CV, interview coaching, application forms, and most importantly to build my confidence. I received encouragement that I should not give up because I was down.
With support, I looked through so many avenues, but we focused mainly on the apprentice clinical support worker role working for the NHS. I was so excited because this was a job I had been yearning for. I was given support with completing the application form and most importantly my supporting statement and preparing for the interview. The encouragement and positivity given to me were important as it helped me to recognise the skills that I already had and how I could promote these skills when applying for a job.
I am happy to say that I was successful at every stage of the application process and at long last, I can build on this role and not just have a job but an actual career.
To anyone who is struggling to find work or would like to develop their career, I would say that you must contact Unity Homes & Enterprise. I have used this service twice and, on both times, I have not been let down. They are unique because they don’t have a limit on how many times you can work with them and will make an extra effort to see you at a time that is convenient for you. Thank you to the team I am now really, really happy!”
Client A is now working for the NHS at St James’ Hospital and is happy to be training and working on the job to gain his Level 2 in Health and Care.
Client B
“On joining the service [I had] a lack of confidence and was quite disillusioned upon returning to [any] working environment.
I received support to complete a very detailed C.V, confidence building, support searching for employment, assistance when applying for a course, along with financial assistance, signposting to other services and consistency with follow up meetings.
The support helped me re-evaluate my abilities, skills which are/were transferable. It helped me build a timescale to achieve certain goals set, encouraged me to investigate other areas of employment and to focus on my interests. It also gave me a purpose to get up to do things and to be accountable for my actions.
The staff allowed me to be vulnerable and unsure without judgement and were always reassuring. [They] saw the progress long before I recognised it. Their consistent approach helped build my confidence and decrease my self-doubt. The support helped me to return to work in a new role, in a new department and team.
I recommend the service because you are not rushed or forced to do things you are not ready to do, however, if a plan is put in place. It works if you work with it, be honest with the parts you have to do. It is a service that has your best interests and encourages you to pursue avenues, especially throughout challenging times, without pressuring you. I found the accessibility of the service spot on and very welcoming. [They] also offer other support services and networking opportunities if required.
Even if you are someone who has worked for many years but have found yourself in a position of uncertainty, career change or need to refresh what you know, I would recommend the service.”
Or, if you’re interested in working at Leeds Federated or Unity Homes & Enterprise explore our job pages:
Digital skills and technology
Unity Homes & Enterprise also run free digital skills courses which can help you learn how to:
- use a keyboard and improve your typing skills
- use a mouse
- use Microsoft Office
- use the internet and stay safe online
- shop online
- manage your health and wellbeing by using digital devices
The sessions are held at Unity Business Centre, 28 Roundhay Road, LS7 1AB. You can register your interest by phoning 07593 561613 or emailing EmploymentOutreach@unityha.co.uk.
“I know if I fall, I can ask [Amazon’s] Alexa to call my family so they can come and help me. I have added pictures to the screen, and this makes me smile every day. [Alexa] makes me laugh and tells me jokes and sings to me when I ask her. On the days when I can’t get out, I can speak to her and ask her questions which keeps me on my toes.”
