Distribution Network
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Farah Shirwa came to Britain in 2000, fleeing civil war and oppression
in Somalia and determined to create a better life for himself. He found
employment in a factory and moved into a flat with a friend. Then the
factory relocated, making Shiwa redundant. Unable to pay his rent, he
became homeless and moved into the Snow Hill Hostel in Birmingham.
As part of the resettlement programme at the hostel, Shirwa was told about the Business Action on Homelessness programme run by Business in the Community, which puts businesses in touch with homeless people to give them work experience, training and help with developing their life skills and confidence.
Shirwa was able to obtain a place on the programme’s ‘Ready to Go’ scheme, a two-day personal development project that gave him the confidence to successfully apply for a work placement at Welconstruct Group, a Birmingham-based office and workplace equipment company.
During the two-week placement, Shirwa was supported by a company ‘buddy’ at Welconstruct and by site visits from his social services key worker and the Business Action on Homelessness team. His tenure at the company went well and was extended for a further five weeks.
As part of the post-placement support, Shirwa was introduced to a job coach, Mark Parsons of Industrial Refrigeration Systems, a Bicester-based company that had decided to become involved in the programme after having been told about it by one of its customers, the confectionery business Cadbury Trebor Bassett. Parsons first met Shirwa at the Welconstuct head office, where Shirwa had completed a fork-lift training course and was now looking for work in that field. However, potential employers were demanding ‘experienced’ fork-lift operators, and Shirwa did not have the necessary track record.
Fortunately, through a chance conversation with Hygiene Services, another Midlands company involved in Business Action on Homelessness, Parsons discovered that the company was looking for cleaning staff to work in the Cadbury Trebor Bassett distribution warehouse at Minworth.
Shirwa contacted Hygiene Services and was offered a job – and has worked for the firm ever since. ‘He’s proved to be a good example of how successful local businesses can be in helping people with a variety of problems that inhibit their ability to integrate into the community,’ says Welconstruct group services manager Bob Mander. ‘Collectively, using our networks, and with the resources provided by the programme, we can really make a difference.’
As part of the resettlement programme at the hostel, Shirwa was told about the Business Action on Homelessness programme run by Business in the Community, which puts businesses in touch with homeless people to give them work experience, training and help with developing their life skills and confidence.
Shirwa was able to obtain a place on the programme’s ‘Ready to Go’ scheme, a two-day personal development project that gave him the confidence to successfully apply for a work placement at Welconstruct Group, a Birmingham-based office and workplace equipment company.
During the two-week placement, Shirwa was supported by a company ‘buddy’ at Welconstruct and by site visits from his social services key worker and the Business Action on Homelessness team. His tenure at the company went well and was extended for a further five weeks.
As part of the post-placement support, Shirwa was introduced to a job coach, Mark Parsons of Industrial Refrigeration Systems, a Bicester-based company that had decided to become involved in the programme after having been told about it by one of its customers, the confectionery business Cadbury Trebor Bassett. Parsons first met Shirwa at the Welconstuct head office, where Shirwa had completed a fork-lift training course and was now looking for work in that field. However, potential employers were demanding ‘experienced’ fork-lift operators, and Shirwa did not have the necessary track record.
Fortunately, through a chance conversation with Hygiene Services, another Midlands company involved in Business Action on Homelessness, Parsons discovered that the company was looking for cleaning staff to work in the Cadbury Trebor Bassett distribution warehouse at Minworth.
Shirwa contacted Hygiene Services and was offered a job – and has worked for the firm ever since. ‘He’s proved to be a good example of how successful local businesses can be in helping people with a variety of problems that inhibit their ability to integrate into the community,’ says Welconstruct group services manager Bob Mander. ‘Collectively, using our networks, and with the resources provided by the programme, we can really make a difference.’
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