The Buck Project

2023 grant recipient - 3 month update

The project engages with local organisations so that The Buck Project can access referrals and effectively signpost participants for support and sign up participants to the project, working through their Individual Development Plans.

“We have started well and already have 10 participants actively seeking local employment and volunteering opportunities. We are proactively working to sign up more people and we attended the Didcot Garden Party - Community Days on Friday 11 August 2023. We have signposted our clients to different support organisations such as Talking Space, Mind, Oxford Job Fair, Citizens Advice Bureau, GPs, GIG Buddies, The Wave, and SOFEA.”

Sara is a case study for the project:

“Although Sara has limited work capability and does not have to look for work, she decided that she wanted to do something that would be good for her mental health issues. She decided that it would be a good idea to find a part-time cleaning job in Didcot but because she has learning difficulties and struggles with completing job applications she found it difficult. She came to us for some help. One of our Mentors helped her to work through and complete a Getting Ready for Employment workbook, helped update Sara’s CV and explained how to write a cover letter. We also refreshed her interview skills and did some cost of living/budgeting activities. Sara had already registered with some job sites so we updated her CV on them and helped her to register on more websites. Occasionally her mental health gets on top of her so we recommended Talking Space or Mind. She decided to start attending Peer Support Groups with Mind as she wanted to start mixing with other people. We helped Sara with many online job applications. She has now been offered a temporary role as a Cover Cleaner for Service Master, 5 hours a week with the responsibility of being a keyholder. She is hoping this role will lead to a permanent contract in the near future.”

Project Summary

This project entitled ‘Our Choice, Your Future with Our Intelligent Kindness’, will support 25 beneficiaries in the wider Didcot community to navigate challenges such as dealing with debt, budgeting skills, working towards employment and staying well both physically and mentally. This will be delivered through blended provision of 1:1 mentoring, courses and workshops, networking groups and signposting.