100th Goal Club attendee

The Communities First FED’s team (Financial, Employment and Digital Skills) has welcomed its 100th Goals Club client through the doors at Llanelli Library.

Since July, the new Prosperous Communities FED’s team have been offering Financial, Employment and Digital Skills (FEDs) throughout the new Carmarthenshire Communities First Cluster area.

The team provides a community access point for anyone wishing to access free support to improve their Financial, Employment and Digital Skills. This support can be provided on a one to one basis, through group workshops and training sessions or information and activity sessions in the community.

The team can help with:

• Clarity on Welfare Reform Changes and Universal Credit
• Help with budgeting or better off calculations
• Support with CV building, interview skills or job searching
• Information and support with debt and benefits
• Using a computer or the internet for the first time
• Help with online applications, universal credit online or using the web to find work

THE GC@Communities First Goals Club initiative is now up and running in Llanelli Library, Felinfoel Resource Centre and the Pantyfynnon Partnership Offices with more venues to follow shortly. The GC@Communities first runs at various accessible venues across the Cluster area and is a free access point for support with Financial, Employment and Digital Skills.

The once weekly three hour sessions are an opportunity for the community to get support and information around a host of topics from money management or employment advice to using the internet for the first time in a friendly, informal environment.

Over 100 people have enrolled with the Goals Club to date and have received a range of support around building their financial capability, improving their job chances or enhancing their digital skills.

Feedback on the initiative to date has been very encouraging as demonstrated by this selection of quotes from regular attendees:

• “It’s good to be able to speak to someone rather than just read an article online.”
• “Made me less nervous about the thought of an interview and more prepared.”
• “It has given me a sound footing in basic IT skills so that I can compete with other people.”
• “This with Communities First was for me personally a far easier way to learn….Thank you Communities First.”

Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “It’s great news that the Communities First FED’s team has welcomed its 100th Goals Club client. The team is helping people to gain valuable skills to manage their household budget and help them to find work.”

The GC@Communities First Goals Club initiative runs on Tuesday mornings 9.30am-12pm in Llanelli Library, Wednesday afternoons 1.30-4pm in the Pantyffynnon Partnership Offices, Ammanford, and Friday mornings 9.30am-12pm in Felinfoel Community Resource Centre.

If you would like to find out more about FED’s, The GC@Communities First or access help and support, please give the team a ring on 01554 777850 or email Communitiesfirst@carmarthenshire.gov.uk