| Publicity Pack |
| What are we? |
| Chester Area Project for Training, Employment and Retraining
(CHAPTER) is a multi-agency group which was formed in June 1991 with representatives from the Health Authority, Social Services, Local Authorities, Voluntary Agencies and the Church. |
| CHAPTER’s staff team work to help people who have, or have had, mental health problems and who are disadvantaged in the jobs market. |
| Using new and imaginative approaches, opportunities are created which benefit both participants in the project and employers. |
CHAPTER (West Cheshire) Ltd
Queens House
Queens Road
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 3BQ |
Tel: 01244 344409 |
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| Mental Health and Work |
- DID YOU KNOW?
That one person in every four experiences some form of mental distress each year.
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- DID YOU KNOW?
That whilst some people are born with Learning Difficulties (previously known as Mental Handicap) Mental Illness, like anxiety or depression, could happen to you — tomorrow!
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- DID YOU KNOW?
That one in every ten people will be admitted to a psychiatric hospital or ward at least once in their lives.
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“Those who have the misfortune to suffer from mental illness need work opportunities to at least the same extent as the rest of the population.”
Rt Hon Kenneth Clark QC MP
(Minister of Health 1982-85) |
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“People with a psychiatric history experience discrimination both in looking for work and in trying to keep it.
“A diagnosis of mental illness, or a period spent using the country’s mental health services can affect a person’s job prospects for life.
“Employers’ perceptions of mental illness are often based on ignorance or misinformation. These perceptions can affect a person’s recruitment chances and can even mean the sack.”
MIND (National Association for Mental Health)
Special Report “Putting People First” |
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| To Achieve Our Aims |
| CHAPTER |
- Supports employers and employees
- Negotiates work experience placements
- Encourages positive actions by employers in favour of people who have had, or continue to have, mental health problems
- Utilises job training schemes
- Assists project participants to prepare themselves for job readiness
- Seeks out relevant educational opportunities
- Assesses and matches employers and employees
- Continually researches needs and responds accordingly
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| How CHAPTER Operates |
| A) Work Preparation |
| CHAPTER offers the following services to project participants to enable them to make the right choices for employment, education or training: |
- Assessment, Guidance and Counselling
Each person is helped to make realistic choices about the future. Advice is given about training and educational opportunities, as well as the jobs market.
- The Moving On Programme
This group helps people make the first steps towards a successful return to work. Participants follow a course dealing with such issues as confidence development, communication skills, behaviour in the workplace and team working skills.
- Gardening Project
This project is not just for those who want a career in gardening. It is for anyone who wants to go back to work but does not feel that they can cope yet with the world of work. It gives them a taste of work in a supported environment and helps to develop their confidence, their ability to work with other people and other general work related skills.
- Continued Support
CHAPTER recognises that effective support is frequently a crucial element in successful re-entry to employment. Consequently we offer support to both participants and employers throughout the programme and beyond for as long as is necessary. CHAPTER runs a special support programme for younger clients aged 16-25 and an out-of-hours support group for people who have obtained employment.
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| B) First Steps to Employment |
| Alongside work preparation, CHAPTER provides practical help to enable participants to learn or develop skills and gain valuable work experience. |
- Further Education/Training
CHAPTER helps individuals access suitable educational or training opportunities. We then provide support throughout the period of the course.
- Work Experience Placements
CHAPTER arranges work experience placements for participants with the purpose of enabling them the develop employment-related skills. Individuals are carefully selected and matched to the particular requirements of the placement. These placements are part-time — usually one or two days a week — initially for a trial period of 4-6 weeks. This allows both the client and placement provider to evaluate the situation. The placement can then be extended by mutual agreement. Such placements are free of charge to the provider although a contribution towards travel expenses is appreciated. CHAPTER provides support and advice throughout the period of the placement and a periodic review of progress.
- Part-Time Employment
Employers can find that they have vacancies for an employee working just a few hours a week. In the early stages of returning to work, some of our clients find that part-time employment is desirable. CHAPTER seeks to match such vacancies to available clients. Once again, CHAPTER will support participants and employers throughout the process.
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| Who's Who in CHAPTER |
| MANAGER |
| Anne Piercy |
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| ADMINISTRATOR |
| Wendy Nolan |
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| FINANCE OFFICER |
| Sue Levy |
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| VOLUNTEER/PLACEMENT OFFICER |
| Susan Sullivan |
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| YOUTH WORKER |
| Jayne Pengelly |
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| PROJECT WORKERS |
| Wendy Haywood and Heather Critcher |
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| PROJECT WORKER (GARDENING PROJECT) |
| Graham Wood |
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| What Can CHAPTER Offer An Employer? |
- Access to potential employees with a vast range of skills and experience
- Solutions to recruitment problems
- Continued support for employer and employee
- A raised profile in the local community
- Help with the implementation of an equal opportunities policy
- Raised staff awareness of disability issues
- Help and advice on mental health issues in the workplace
- The fostering of a positive team development among existing employees
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Local Employers who have already participated in the scheme include:
Boots the Chemist
BTCV
Tesco
Northgate Arena
British Heart Foundation
Carol’s Florist
Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council
Sycamore Garden Centre
St Saviours’s Pre-School
Bhs
Countess of Chester
Borders Books
Dial House
B&Q Ltd
County Court Service
Cheshire Record Office
Royal Mail |
