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HOW FLYING FISH HELPED JAMIE!
BYNICOLA WARD
10:30 - 16 April 2008
A young man who has spent most of his life in care has been given the
opportunity to train for a job with the help of a county charity.
Jamie
Lee Stone is working as a production operative at a food firm.
The
19-year-old has been in care and, like many young people leaving the system, was
finding it difficult to make the transition into working life or further
education.
Parminder Basra, co-ordinator of the Flying Fish project, arranged for Jamie to go along to Bradgate Bakery in Beaumont Leys, Leicester.
He started as production operative, training alongside his volunteer mentor, in the vegetable preparation department.
Jamie explained how starting work was a shock to his system.
He said: "On the first day, I thought what am I doing up at five in the morning? But I was amazed I liked it so much from day one.
"The people were so nice and I have made a lot of friends.
"The experience has changed my life."
During the placement, Jamie gained confidence, developed his skills and received a glowing reference which says:
"He demonstrated a conscientious attitude, and became a useful and valued member of the department."
Jamie said: "I was upset giving back my key fob, I didn't want to leave."
David Henry, Jamie's support worker at Leicester City Council, is impressed with the progress he has made.
He said: "I couldn't believe the change in him in two weeks.
"He now has a completely different outlook."
Following the placement, Jamie has been taken on by a recruitment agency which supplies staff to the bakery, and is now settling into working life. He is able to look for his own place and start to live independently.
Bradgate Bakery has also said that it will be happy to take him on permanently when a vacancy arises.
Parminder said: "I am very proud of Jamie.
"He has worked very hard, turning up on time, and fitting in so well.
"Now he has secured employment, he can feel more confident that he can achieve something in life."
Leicestershire Cares is a charity which connects employees with communities through a range of opportunities which are designed to make volunteering easy for both parties.
Flying Fish project asks employers to provide the chance for young care leavers to work for two weeks on an unpaid placement, under the guidance of a trained volunteer mentor.
The aim is to help the young people on to the next stage in their lives, whether it is employment, further education or training.
For more information about the project, contact Parminder on 0116 275 6490.
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