Community Link Foundation
COMMUNITY Link Foundation has awarded a grant to a very deserving organisation that helps people in West Lancashire and the surrounding areas.
Timesavers provides work experience and education in office skills for people with learning difficulties to help them improve their chances of finding a work placement or employment.
The charity aims to help overcome barriers that they face with regards to their employability.
It supports them in gaining further skills and work experience in all aspects of office work, such as typing, photocopying and filing.
It also helps them to improve their communication skills and involve them in the financial side of the organisation, such as helping with the budgeting.
Timesavers hopes that this will enable them to achieve a better understanding of aspects of life that can help them in the work place and at home.
At the moment, Timesavers has the facilities to provide training and work experience in office skills for up to six people with learning disabilities.
This is done by renting a small office in Skelmersdale and it provides support workers to help them in the office and transport them to and from their homes.
John Haggart, on behalf of Timesavers’ trustees, said: “I would like to thank the Community Link Foundation for their generous donation.’’
He explained: “People with learning difficulties often need extra help such as allowing them to repeat tasks and letting them work at their own pace so it makes it easier for them to acquire new skills without feeling under stress.
“In order to achieve this the work experience and skills training is given in a supportive environment, and in this way we hope to overcome the barriers to learning which people with learning disabilities often encounter.
“We plan to have people attend for between one and three days per week depending on each individual’s needs.”
The grant from CLF will be used towards purchasing card, ink and paper which is used in the varied office-based tasks that they do, such as admin work and making cards.
Timesavers is currently looking for local employers to offer short periods of office work experience one or two mornings per week for the people they support, to give them an insight into the world of work.
For more information go to www.timesavers.org.uk.
To find out more about Community Link Foundation and how to fundraise for them, go to www.clfoundation.co.uk.