New Llanrwst job club to open doors to rural unemployed

Nov 25 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Rosey Evans

THE opening of a new job club in Llanrwst set up to help get rural vacancies to rural people has been welcomed after almost four years since the town’s job centre closed.

Golygfa Gwydyr, the Llanrwst-based group committed to improving community life, the environment, health and wellbeing and the rural economy, launched the long-awaited weekly job club in Llanrwst this week.

Currently, the club is being run from the MIND Offices in the Gated Mews Shops, but from May 2011 it will be held in their brand new community building, near Somerfield, which is currently undergoing renovations.

Golygfa Gwydyr’s Medi Ashton said people can now drop into the Jobcentre-Plus affiliated club every Monday, from this week, between 10am and 4pm.

“People can do online job searches with IT support from experienced staff and use the phone to make further enquiries, and get advice and support from helpful staff in writing a CV, cover letters, application forms and interview skills,” explained Medi.

“Jobseekers can also discover how the world of volunteering, far from being- ‘working for nothing’ can provide them with work experience, skills, contacts, confidence and motivation for a new career, all of which can put them one step ahead when applying for paid work.”

She added: “We will also be on hand to help people find information on what training and work related benefits they are entitled to, as well as keeping them informed on the new Government’s welfare reforms.”

In addition to the new weekly job club there is now also a Golygfa Gwydyr Job Club Facebook group to share information and useful links about searching for work or a new career, volunteering and government policy which affects the jobseeker.

Town mayor Cllr Christine Humphreys welcomed the job club launch. She said: “Since the town’s job centre closed down a few years ago people have had to travel to either the Llandudno or Bangor job centres. Rural jobs are harder to find and there are a lot of wider issues to take into consideration like transport links which Golygfa Gwydyr’s job club will focus on. With a host of skills and experience the Golygfa Gwydyr team can help advise and guide people in job searches and help to build up their confidence. I welcome the club’s launch.”

The job club team consisting of Medi Ashton, Roger Davies and Rosie Evans will be on hand every Monday, 10am to 4pm.

For details ring 01492 642110 or visit www.golygfagwydyr.org

samantha.castle