Below is our most up to date list of groups and services in Lewisham that can provide support with Employability. All of these are free unless stated otherwise.
Download the information below here: Employability – Factsheet
Employment support in Lewisham
For everyone not in work:
Pecan
Employment support for anyone not in work (including if no recourse to public funds). Based Peckham and covers all Lewisham. Offers:
- Employment Surgeries – offering guidance for clients to create their CVs, support writing cover letters, support writing covering letters to assistance completing job applications. There are also group and 1-2-1 sessions for how to job search, interview skills and training.
- From Monday 19th January 2023 Pecan will be hosting weekly Employment Clinics from 2-4pm and it will cover interview support, how to be prepared for jobs, how to make your CV attractive to employers, and the difference between cover letter and statements.
Employment service is free to all pecan users, however you will need to register with us to access support.
Contact employment.support@pecan.org.uk or or welcome@pecan.org.uk or contact 020 7732 0007
Catford Salvation Army’s Employment Plus
Open to all unemployed Lewisham residents looking to get back into work.
Provides help with:
- CV Writing
- Access to IT
- Online Job Searches
- Basic IT Training
- Skills assessment
- Vocational Guidance
- Help accessing skills training
- Support overcoming barriers to employment
Open every Friday 10am-12pm.
To start your back to work journey complete the self-referral form or visit their website for more information – https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/catford-salvation-army Scroll down to Employment Plus local, click the plus sign and follow ‘Click Here to Get Help Today’ and download a self- referral form. Or call 0208 461 2811.
Adult Learning Lewisham
Online Job Club Plus – 6 week online course that help adults to get back into work. Free except for £2 admin fee.
The course focuses on:
- What work you would like to do
- The demands of the employment market
- Learning new skills and gaining transferable experiences
- Areas that need improvement.
- Support with writing CVs and application forms
- Job searches
- Supporting statements and interview skills.
You can enrol by phone on 020 8314 6959, Monday to Friday, 10am–3pm or email adultlearning@lewisham.gov.uk
Love London Working
If you are searching for a job the Love London Working team will be able to support you. No matter how long you have been unemployed for or what barriers you may be facing such as health, disability or single parenthood – our team is here to assist you.
Love London Working is a training and employment programme that aims to help anyone over the age of 16 years living in London into employment.
We offer a range of support including training opportunities, financial support and help developing key skills such IT. In addition to this we provide support with CV writing, job applications and interview practice.
Please note that to be eligible to register, you must be; over the age of 16, live in London, be unemployed.
To refer, please complete online form https://www.lovelondonworking.com/contact-us/register-your-interest or contact 0300 500 8000
Lewisham Employment Advice and Training Directory
Includes details of 65 relevant organisations.
Phoenix Housing
Age 16+, for Phoenix residents. Currently offer one-to-one online or phone support with:
- help with creating or updating your CV
- support to complete application forms
- coaching and advice
- weekly online sessions
- free training
Tel: 0800 0285 700
Email: rootsintowork@phoenixch.org.uk
Sapphire Employability Academy
- programme is designed to help young people (15 to 30 years old) gain access to work, accredited training and gain leadership development
- The programme also aims to support young people from similar backgrounds who already have a passion for a particular cause and who need additional support to turn their personal passions into building their own business.
- They are also supporting young people who struggle with mental health issues to gain work and to build their confidence.
Contact our Employability and HR Manager – employability@sapphireministriesrtwv.org or careers@sapphireministriesrtwv.org or Call 0208 059 1021 or 07510919236 or 07859416717
Support for residents with additional barriers (Inc. mental health, ex-offenders, learning disabilities):
St Giles’ Trust – Pathways (25+)
Provides customised employment support to people aged 25+ who are unemployed and face added barriers such as an offending background, homelessness, substance misuse, recent sexual or domestic violence, history of street sex work, mental health problems. Offer additional help with issues which may be holding someone back from finding and holding down a job.
Provide support with:
- CV building
- Preparing for interviews
- Job searches
- Accessing skills
- Accessing financial support for employment-related costs e.g tools, equipment.
Email info@stgilestrust.org.uk or call 020 7708 8000.
Disability, disadvantaged groups, and long-term unemployed
Central London Works
A service for unemployed and have a disability or health condition, who are looking to get back into work.
A dedicated Employment Coach supports you:
- Creating a personalised action plan
- Identifying your skills
- Tailoring your CV to make job applications
- Searching for suitable jobs
- Identifying potential employers
- Preparing for interviews
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus work coach to get referred or to self-refer, fill out online form https://www.centrallondonworks.co.uk/about-the-programme
Step Up Employment Support (for those earning less than £10.85 per hour)
Step Up is a service helping people in low paid jobs learn new skills and find better work with better pay, at least the London Living Wage and greater job satisfaction.
The service is open to people who earn less than £11.05 per hour.
Help with contacting potential new employers, completing job applications, and can access one-to-one career support and financial advice. Key skills training in subjects such as ESOL, reading and writing, maths, and IT
To register as a member please visit: http://www.thamesreach.org.uk or email: step-up@thamesreach.org.uk or call 07760 615 331 or 07958 335 234.
In usual times their services are delivered from Peckham Road and Deptford.
Toucan Employment Support (Learning disabilities/autism)
Aims to reduce the social exclusion of people with learning difficulties/disabilities by supporting them to find and retain appropriate supported employment.
With a team of staff who are experts in work readiness and supporting people at work, they offer 1:1 sessions with clients to ensure they have roles that are right for their skills, interests, and needs.
Call 0203 6649 523 or email: info@toucanemployment.org
Work Well Advice Line – South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- The Work Well Advice Line provides free confidential advice for anyone who may be experiencing any employment-related query or problem.
- The Work Well Advice Line is not a mental health service; however, they work very closely with mental health professionals at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
- The Work Well Advice Line is open Monday to Thursday 10am – 4pm.
- Call 020 3228 2041 and leave your name and number or email workwell@slam.nhs.uk
IAPT Employment Support
Employment support is available to anyone accessing Lewisham Talking Therapies for therapeutic support. You will be asked about employment support when you refer, or you can request to be referred through to the team by your Therapist during your work together.
If you’re unemployed:
- Exploring your career options
- Creating a CV
- Guidance with job searching and completing job applications
- Improving interview skills
- Support to build confidence and self-esteem
- Support to find voluntary roles or courses, to gain experience and upskill
If you’re in work:
- Advice and guidance on managing difficulties in the workplace
- Advice on gaining reasonable adjustments at work
- Help to prepare for a return to work after a sickness absence
- Support to manage stress at work and a healthy work-life balance
- Signposting to advisory and support services
- Emotional and moral support during a stressful time
To refer, please speak to you GP or contact 020 3228 1350
Please note that our team update these factsheets on a quarterly basis. If you would like to suggest any updates, corrections or comments then please contact our Community Development Worker at michael.stuart@ageuklands.org.uk
Date of last update: 17th January 2023