'You have to keep going': Inspirational 63-year-old's message to older job-hunters as he hands out 200 CVs at Leeds Station

Trevor Walford, from Keighley, put on his smartest suit and tie and travelled to Leeds Station with 300 CVs in hand on Tuesday.

Trevor worked as a restaurant manager and trainer for 16 years before he was made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been tirelessly searching for jobs and has received 'phenomenal' support on LinkedIn after sharing his job-hunting journey.

Fed up with making online applications, Trevor pitched up at the station with a hand-made sign and handed out hundreds of his CVs to people passing by.

Trevor told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I’m still a very fit and active 63-year-old, I still have a lot to give and I’m passionate about what I do.

“You hear in the news about how hard it has been for younger people during the pandemic, but what is the Government doing about people like myself?

“I got up that morning and was so fed up of sitting in front of my computer making job applications.

“I saw a box on my table and thought - I’m going to make a sign and wear my suit and tie, what I would normally wear for work, and hand out my CVs."

Trevor handed out around 200 CVs and although he is yet to hear back from any businesses, he made vital contacts and spoke to other older people who have been left without a job during the pandemic.

He added: “People were curious about what I was doing there in my suit! I had some nice people coming and chatting to me, people of a similar age who are finding it tough too.

“It’s been remarkable the feedback I’ve got, I’ve had people reaching out and asking how I had the guts to do it.

“But you have to keep going, you’ve got to do what it takes.

“I’m not looking for anything in management, I just want to work. I want to do something. I’m so fed up of talking to my kettle every day.”

Around seven per cent of Yorkshire's working age population is currently out of work and those numbers are expected to rise as the Government's furlough scheme is rolled back.

Trevor is disappointed at the treatment of older people, who he says are being shunned from jobs in favour of younger workers.

But he is not giving up and plans to travel to Manchester Station next week to hand out more CVs.

“Honestly, just get out there,” was Trevor’s advice to other older job-hunters.

“It’s easy to get dragged down but don’t feel sorry for yourself. You need to be doing something, getting on LinkedIn and making contacts.

“I’ve had phenomenal support from sharing my story and I will keep on going with it."

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Thank you

Laura Collins