Rebuild with Hope are a local charity that work with individuals with multiple barriers into employment.
Some of the barriers we currently have employees and volunteers facing are:
· Lack of skills and confidence due to being out of work for a long period of time.
· Personal circumstances that have hindered their job search.
· Serving and ex-offenders.
· Physical or mental barriers that have made them unsuccessful in previous job searches
One barrier which we would like to explore more is the inability to physically go out to work. Predominantly identifying those with young children, or caring for a relative that are unable to commit to shift patterns and cannot leave their responsibilities to attend the traditional work environment.
We would love to give this demographic the skills to sell online using the platform ‘Vinted’.
This would allow them to gain e-commerce skills, engage with buyers and of course, make a bit of money for themselves to use as they please. Whether that is funding the next size clothing for their child, buying uniform or treating themselves.
Taking ownership of their work and developing those selling skills will not only enhance their confidence but will give them an additional employability skill within e-commerce and retail.
The funding request would be £70 and this would be to fund the elements of the project:
· Marketing materials – posters to be created, printed and placed in local community venues that meets the demographic of the target audience. Eg. CommUnity Corner, Fur Clemt, The Family Hub at Worsely Hall etc.
· Production and printing of a small guide for participants to take away and refer to.
· A contribution to travel expenses to and from venues.
· Donation towards or funding for refreshments during the sessions (Tea/coffee and biscuits)
The project itself will consist of the following:
Introduction to Vinted sessions. These will be straightforward, simplified sessions for people who have no experience of the platform or maybe got as far as downloading the App but felt out of their depth with how to list items, postage choices and how payment works.
The sessions will be no more than 1hr, ran at various times of the week and across the Wigan borough.
A Whatsapp group or dedicated FB group where all attendees of the sessions can share tips, ideas and pose questions to other new users.
The idea is to create a network of people who face similar challenges and bring them together to maximise their sales, boost their confidence and hopefully make friends and connections along the way.
Those that wish to take up Volunteering roles with Rebuild with Hope’s Vinted project can be signposted through the necessary channels.