In this issue
Greetings!

Happy Employability Day!

It's official - today is the first ever UK national employability day and we're delighted to share this special one-off e-bulletin with you.

Today we're celebrating the hard work you have been putting in to get the people of Fife into work.

A huge thank you to everyone who shared their good news stories with us - scroll down or use the 'in this issue' section (on left) to navigate your way through Fife's employability successes.

We also wanted to squeeze in a few updates we're sure you'll find interesting such as the date of Know Your Network, the date of the next Fife Employability Forum and an exciting opportunity for front-line staff to feed into a directory of employability services - click here to read these updates. 

If you missed out on this opportunity to share your stories don't worry - send anything you would like to share to Christine for our next employability e-bulletin in May. 

All the best,
Christine Davison
Project Support Officer
Know Your Network is back for 2016 - save the date

Date: Wednesday 24 August 2016
Time: TBC
Venue: The Bay Hotel, Kinghorn

Know Your Network is a networking event for front-line employability staff. It's a great opportunity to make practical connections and hear the latest updates on employability in Fife. 
Further details, including how to book will be included in our monthly employability e-bulletin. 
Fife Employability Forum 2016 - save the date

Date: Wednesday 25 May 2016
Time: 9.00 - 12.30pm
Venue: Fife Renewables Innovation Centre, Ajax Way, Methil Docks Business Park, Methil, Fife, KY8 3RS
Directory of Employability Services in Fife
Date: Thursday 05 May 2016
Time: 2.00 - 3.30pm
Venue: Craig Mitchell House, Flemington Road, Glenrothes, KY7 5QF

FVA and Opportunities Fife Partnership are compiling a directory of employability services in Fife and we are inviting front-line employability staff  to participate in a focus group looking at the directory and how it can be used. 
If you're interested in attending please let Christine know. 
Your Success StoriesStories
Kettle supports local economy by recruiting former Tullis Russell staff



Local companies in Fife have been thanked by the Fife Task Force for their support in helping find employment for those affected by the closure of the Tullis Russell manufacturing plant in Glenrothes.

Cupar-based Kettle Produce Ltd, a major supplier of fresh produce to UK supermarkets and one of Fife's largest employers certainly played their part by recruiting 11 employees from Tullis Russell following the closures.
Click the title link to read more. 







Fife-ETC work together to support Madeline

Madeline struggled with her mental health after moving to a new area. Fife-ETC supported her to gain enough confidence to go from one-to-one support to a group setting - helping her meet new people and gain employability skills. 

BRAG proves that Sportworks

Read about how an open day for Sportworks engaged Michelle in taking positive steps towards gaining skills and experience for work. 

Volunteering into Work - Fife Voluntary Action

Read about how Lynda gained skills and confidence through volunteering to move into paid work.
Find out how David went from volunteering to being Fife Voluntary Action's newest member of staff. 
Find out what Skills Development Scotland have been up to



Click here to read a case study about S - who struggled to find herself after batteling self-esteem and health issues in School. With support from SDS and IDTC she is now on track for a career in the beauty industry.

Click here to read a case study about D - who was caught up in the mass redundancies from Tullis Russell and is now picking up on a career he thought he'd struggle to get back into. 
Read about the support DEAP have given to Gary, Iain and Kelly



Click the title link to read about the support DEAP provided to Gary and Iain to help them use their existing skills to get back into employment; and the support given to Kelly to help her gain more confidence and skills after experiencing homelessness. 
Fife Business Diversity Awards


Fife Business Diversity Awards 2014 Winners

The Opportunities Fife Partnership host Fife Business Diversity Awards in recognition of the success of people who have overcome significant disadvantages to find and keep a job.

Click the title link to read stories from the 2015 winners like:

Nicola who has a facial disfigurement and hearing impairment. She is now working with Leonard Cheshire Scotland helping other people lead fulfilling lives.

Leighton who endured years of significant and overwhelming mental health issues before finding the support he needed to begin his journey towards work. He now channels his energies into helping young people with social, emotional and behavioural issues to find their own path to employment.
New ProjectsNewProjects
Prescription to Work campaign



Fife Council's Supported Employment Service are proud to launch their 'Prescription to Work' campaign.

It is a unique referral method for individuals who are experiencing difficulty sustaining work due to a health condition or disability. 

Their aim is to work in partnership with GP's and Health Professionals to:
  • Reduce the amount of work sickness absence related to disability or health issues;
  • Reduce the length of time a person is off work due to disability or health issues;
  • Reduce the number of GP patients off work due to disability or health issues;
  • Increase the number of people returning to work following sickness absence related to disability or health issues;
  • Increase the number of people with mild to moderate mental health problems securing work following referral from Community Connection.
It is an exciting new project which they hope will help many people throughout Fife.


 
Deaf Action's Employability Service is a new four year project funded by The Big Lottery. The service will be provided across Edinburgh, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross.

The Employability Service will work with people aged 25+ who are Deaf BSL users, deafened or hard of hearing and who are not in employment or who are unemployed. Our Employability Advisers, with support from peer mentors, and through linking with employers, will provide deaf individuals with a range of personalised support to help them move closer to the job market and achieving employment. 

To find out more about the Employability Service, please contact their Employability Advisers or click the title link for their poster. 

Katharine Jackson
Mobile: 07341 869 034 
Email: katharine.jackson@deafaction.org 

Mark McMillan
Mobile (SMS only): 07341 869 035
Email: Mark.McMillan@deafaction.org
Fife Voluntary Action
Tel: 0800 389 6046
Fife Voluntary Action is the Third Sector Interface for the Fife Council area.
supporting, developing and representing community groups,
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering

Registered Office: Craig Mitchell House, Flemington Road, Glenrothes, KY7 5QF.

Fife Voluntary Action is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland No. SC203613 and Registered Scottish Charity No. SCO28457.

Fife Voluntary Action | Craig Mitchell House | Flemington Road | Glenrothes | Fife | KY7 5QF | United Kingdom