Employment charity Resource awarded £9,300 in Lottery funding

A north London charity helping members of the Jewish community find work said this week that £9,300 from the National Lottery has “come just at the right time”.

Resource, based in Finchley, has seen demand for its services triple since economic conditions deteriorated as a result of coronavirus restrictions, with far more people needing help finding and securing employment than normal.

“This award has come at just the right time,” said a relieved Resource chief executive Victoria Sterman.

“Demand has continued to increase markedly over the pandemic period. We’ve experienced a 300 percent increase in the number of people approaching us for help since March.”

As government support such as the furlough scheme gradually reduces, she said, the charity expects to see this trend continuing, adding that her priority in recent weeks has been to recruit and provide training for four new advisors.

“They have joined a highly skilled and professional volunteer team providing one-to-one advice and support,” said Sterman.

“A programme of tailored workshops and seminars also encompasses every aspect of finding and securing the right job, including preparing effective CVs and job applications, using networking to full advantage, psychometric testing, improving IT skills and mock interviews.

“We have also initiated a new scheme for those who may simply want to talk through their employment situation without necessarily becoming a client. They can book to have a telephone discussion with an advisor.

Echoing the shift of many employers, all the charity’s services are now provided online, meaning that they are “available for clients anywhere in the country, from all walks of life, any occupation or profession and regardless of religious observance. And thanks to our financial supporters, all services are free”.