CHESTER-le-Street’s main social landlord has launched a service to help unemployed people find work.

Cestria Community Housing has appointed an employability worker to advise people struggling to get a job.

Alison Styring will work with parter organisations to identify people who need support.

The service, part of Cestria’s Money Works team, is for anyone living in the area, not just its tenants, and will offer advice on skills, training, job searches and applications, CVs and interview preparation. Debt and benefits advice is also available.

Ms Styring said: “It will be based on working with people’s individual needs and building a package of support based on their circumstances and experience.

“Where possible we will signpost people to training, skills and other employment support opportunities which already exist locally.”

Help on using the Internet will be provided through Cestria’s free Online Owls initiative, which utilises the knowledge of computer studies students.

A weekly session will be held at the town’s job centre every Thursday afternoon with Ms Styring, Online Owls Co-ordinator Lesley Bennison, and support staff.

Ms Bennison said: “Not having the necessary skills in IT and using the internet can act as a significant barrier to people trying to find work. “That’s why our initial focus will be on these issues which are faced by many job seekers locally.

“Getting people online, helping them to create an email account and giving people basic IT skills can be important first steps for many people as they begin their journey back into work.”

Ms Styring ’s will also identify gaps in employment services provision.

She said: “Worklessness remains a significant issue across the district - both among Cestria’s tenants and in the wider community.

“Where people find themselves outside the labour market for significant periods of time, it can have a devastating impact on their lives - on their well being, their ability to make ends meet and their relationships.

“Often, people just require a helping hand; some advice which points them in the right direction and gives them the confidence to get back out there.”

Both posts are part- funded by the NE Procurements Future Sparks Fund

Andrew Megginson, of Chester-le-Street and District Area Acton Partnership (AAP), which is co-funding Ms Styrin, said: “The AAP were keen to support this post to ensure that people across the wider Chester-le-Street area had the necessary support available to them in seeking employment opportunities.”

For more information about the service call 0191-385-1402 or e-mail alisonstyring@cestria.org