UK Enterprise Awards 2021

220 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 The Restore Trust The Restore Trust’s goal is to contribute to a fairer society for all, including socially excluded individuals. We take a deeper look into what this organisation does for people with complex needs to integrate them back into today’s society. The Restore Trust works alongside service users with complex needs in relation to homelessness, mental health problems, drug/alcohol dependency and offending behaviour. Not only are these people bypassed by employers for employment opportunities, but they can experience a lack of understanding by the public due to the stigma attached to mental health, convictions and homelessness often leading to them feeling socially excluded from society. The Restore Trust prides itself on their non- judgmental, strength-based approach to service users that builds their confidence, motivation and inspires change in their lives by identifying their strengths not deficits to make meaningful changes. The Restore Trust has a vision for “a fair society where socially excluded people are supported to obtain skills, qualifications and employment to build sustainable, independent lives contributing positively to society”. This vision was first set up in 2009 by the current CEO, Suzanne Thompson, in conjunction with the National Offender and SMT board of Avon and Somerset Probation Trust. The trust was then registered as an independent VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) in 2010. The VCSE sector is integral to improving statutory health and social care agencies to improve health and well-being of everyone involved. This is done by working close to communities, bringing forward the goals and needs of service users. This introduces specialist knowledge to public service delivery and helps to support those with complex needs. The Restore Trust works with many organisations such as Job Centre plus, Probation Service, Adviza, Ixion/Shaw Trust, Weston College, Bristol City Council, HM Prison and Probation Service, and the Department for Work and Pensions and many voluntary sector partners in the Southwest region. Suzanne tells us, “We work collaboratively with different organisations to promote equality of opportunity, strengthen the sector by access to high quality services to enable people to reach their full potential by gaining the skills, confidence, qualifications and employment suited to their needs and aspirations, ultimately contributing positively to society and the local economy”. She goes on to tell us that a key part of their success comes from partnerships and an excellent staff team with backgrounds in Criminal Justice, Welfare, and Community work with disadvantaged young people and adults. “The superb quality of our board members also brings an additional wealth of expertise and experience to our organisation,” Suzanne continues. As a non-profit organisation, most of the Trust’s courses are free if someone is out of work or earning less than £17,004 per annum. The skills taught are linked to Sector-based Work Academy Programmes that are directly entwined with local employers for guaranteed interviews. Some other areas that they specialise in training for are Hospitality, Business Administration, Construction, and Industrial Cleaning. As a result, individuals are not only prepared for work but put in touch with organisations and the opportunities they present. The Trust’s process begins with one-to-one support using their employability career advisors that work hard to create a plan for the service user. Then, it helps them to gain work experience and vocational skills, with access to accredited training. This includes skills such as self- esteem, confidence, and personal development, rather than just churning someone through the employment system. This is about creating a headspace for them to believe in themselves and find something that helps them to feel both fulfilled and a part of society again. Unlike mainstream providers, the Trust looks at the needs of people as a whole and identifies their strengths. This could range from simply assisting to updating a CV or general career advice to more structured support to access vocational training to gain relevant skills. In addition, it also provides free refreshments and snacks so that no one goes hungry on their premises due to a recent partnership with Fareshare. Aside from feeding the service users, the Trust can provide them with bus tickets so that they may attend interviews and courses. In relation to COVID-19, it has seen an increase in service users experiencing isolation, depression, and anxiety. This is no different from any other individual experiencing the global pandemic, but it has hit this community harder than any. This has meant that more people need food parcels and social connection. Due to the pandemic, the key trends that they are seeing in the education sector is the continuation of digital learning platforms and the need to ensure that this is accessible as much as possible to those that need it. To this end, the Trust, thanks to a recent donation, has set up a ‘loan scheme’ for learners without access to IT equipment at home to loan a tablet and Wi-Fi adaptor to enable them to participate in learning opportunities. Suzanne says, “We have had a lot of success with securing employment opportunities for people who lost jobs because of the pandemic and lost hope of finding work. People have been over the moon with the support received from the staff at The Restore Trust. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive and means a lot to me and the staff and it is why we do what we do”. This award recognizes that work and has only propelled the Trust forwards in its mission so that it may continue to fulfil its goals and aspirations for those who need them. Contact: Suzanne Thompson Company: The Restore Trust Web Address: www.therestoretrust.org May21718 Best UK Social Enterprise 2021 - Employability Skills Training NPO