‘Employment without Barriers’ is an EU programme that funds the recruitment of disadvantaged people. We are currently trying to work out how to recruit someone through this scheme, but we quickly realised that we would not be able to take on a staff member in this way, because the requirement is that at least 50 per cent of the workforce must NOT be employed through the programme. This requirement effectively makes it impossible for us to operate as a 100% social enterprise. The information provided by the Employment Agency contradicts the information in the programme documents, and we are yet to speak to someone from the Labour Office, where we expect to receive specific guidance. Once we have received answers to our questions, we will begin working with partners who will employ vulnerable young people under the programme.
At the same time, we are working with a young person who has left a foster care centre; we are helping him to start training as a barber, to register with the Labour Office, and, God willing, to find him a job after the course. We have told you before just how difficult it is for young people leaving care to integrate into society – with no home, no money, no education, no friends and no support. That is why we want to focus our efforts precisely there, and this sometimes means buying a travel card for a young person so they can get to their training, accompanying them to the job centre, so they can find out how to register, and to do our best to help them settle into a new environment that encourages work, development and growth. And all the while, we must remind ourselves that everything could fall apart at any moment.
After a long struggle with Google Ads, we’re ready to throw in the towel and ask for help. We are officially announcing that we are looking for a volunteer to review our campaign and help us start spending our allocated $10,000 in monthly credits. Believe it or not, we’ve been setting up adverts since May and haven’t spent a single cent because… well, even we can’t tell you why.
Thank you for your support, and please remember that you can support us by making a donation or purchasing Lafetki, which this month again comes with a free sachet of lavender from our garden. Have a lovely Friday!