Emmaus Salford has recently welcomed David as their new Skills and Employability Support Worker, a position made possible through funding from the Elevate Salford programme.
The Elevate Salford programme offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at supporting, training, and preparing individuals who are furthest from the labour market to gain essential skills, training, and employment opportunities through the robust charity sector within Salford.
The programme is primarily funded by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation Trust (AGCF). Additionally, an extra grant from AGCF, along with funding from Salford City Council, supports the coordination of the programme by Salford CVS. This initiative aligns with Salford City Council’s broader strategy for enhancing education, training, and employment opportunities across the region.
Speaking about his role, David said: “I just love people. It’s a beautiful experience to be able to help people grow and get more out of life.”
David sees himself as a ‘coach’ who is committed to guiding the companions of Emmaus Salford back to believing in themselves. Many companions arrive at Emmaus Salford with their confidence shattered—whether due to escaping harmful relationships, battling addiction, or experiencing unfortunate circumstances that led them to homelessness and living in fear. David works closely with each individual to identify their unique challenges and collaboratively find ways to overcome them.
Trauma-Centred Approach
David’s approach is grounded in a ‘trauma-centred’ framework, which acknowledges that past traumatic experiences can significantly impact a person’s emotional well-being, decision-making, and overall progress. By helping companions explore and address underlying trauma, David seeks to support healing and personal growth. This approach involves creating a safe and supportive environment where companions feel understood and empowered to confront their pasts and envision brighter futures.
One question David often asks companions is: “What did you want to be as a child?” He explains that this question can reveal an individual’s purest ambitions, unclouded by the burdens and influences of adult life. This insight can be key to helping someone reconnect with their strengths and aspirations.
Pathway Star Assessment
David uses a tool known as the ‘Pathway Star’ to assess and track the progress of companions. This framework allows companions to rate themselves on several aspects of their lives, including:
- Skills
- Confidence and aspirations
- Friends and connections
- Family and relationships
- Emotional wellbeing
- Healthy lifestyle
- Money management
- Stability at home
The Pathway Star is not designed to provide a severity score but rather to measure growth and progress over time. By regularly revisiting these areas, David can identify positive changes and adjust support strategies accordingly.
David says: “I want companions to become the captains of their own ships. I want to support them as much as I can to help them achieve that. Finding out a person’s core and what makes them tick is the first step in this process. This way, we can use a person-centred approach.”
Collaboration Across Organisations
The Elevate Salford programme comprises of five charities across Salford, including Groundwork Greater Manchester, Mustard Tree, Salford Foundation, Salford Loaves & Fishes and The Broughton Trust.
What makes this initiative unique is the shared system used by all partners. This unified system allows records to be transferred and updated across organisations, ensuring continuity of care even if a beneficiary moves from one charity to another. Moreover, this collaborative approach allows organisations to learn from each other’s experiences and improve their methods. Every two months, the partners convene to discuss progress, share insights, and identify areas for improvement.
Looking Ahead
David has been in his role for just over a month, and Emmaus Salford is excited to see how this programme impacts their companions in terms of skills development, mental health and wellbeing, and employability. However, the true measure of success goes beyond securing employment. It involves rebuilding confidence and empowering individuals to feel capable and hopeful about their futures.