Out-of-work Morley councillor praises Job Club

Salvation Army volunteers have spent the past 18 months running the Employment Plus drop-in sessions at their hall on Ackroyd Street, offering free internet access, CV building and interview tips to the unemployed.

The Thursday morning Job Club had seen numbers grow steadily in recent months as more job-hunters are signposted to the service, which also provides support for people with poor IT skills to help them search for vacancies and apply for posts online.

The sessions are free and anyone attending can ask for advice in compiling a CV, writing a cover letter or completing an application form, and a printer is available to use. No appointments are necessary.

The Job Club has even become a port of call for a former mayor of Morley. Coun Andy Dalton’s employer recently went into liquidation, leaving him and 21 other staff redundant after 21 years of service.

“Being unemployed can be a very isolating and demoralising situation for anyone. I attend this club every week and really appreciate the warm welcome, support and advice on making job applications. Unfortunately little help is available these days from Jobcentres. Local people like myself are really thankful to the Salvation Army for providing this service - its a real help.”

Anyone who does not feel confident using the laptops provided can take part in a free beginners’ IT course called Learn My Way before they start attending ther Job Club, which meets from 10am onwards. Co-ordinator Abigail Monteith is keen to attract job-seekers of all ages and backgrounds.

“The project had been growing steadily, and we have been able to help people make their first steps back to work,” she said.

The Salvation Army has strong historic links with helping the unemployed, and the charity opened the first ever Labour Exchange - an early form of a Jobcentre - in the country back in 1890. They have continued their community outreach work by organising Job Clubs in locations across the UK.

The Job Club operates on a drop-in basis, but anyone wanting more details before attending can contact organisers on 0113 2380422.