BLANDFORD JOB CLUB
Blandford Job Club has been such an innovative resource for the town and surrounding parishes that it is now in need of even more volunteers.
The club, which started on 12th October, is proving to be very successful in helping people get back into work with restructuring and updating CVs and interview advice, with facilities for one to one interview practice.
Cllr David Walsh, a member of North Dorset District Council, is using experience gained in setting up the Gillingham Job Club which has created work placements for 71 people in 18 months. He and his team have also been acting as consultants to councils in Wiltshire and Somerset and have helped them set up their own job clubs.
The clubs open every Friday between 10am and 1pm for people to drop in for a chat or to make an appointment for more specific requirements.
Up to date details of every job vacancy within the area are available from the club and on the websiteBLANDFORD JOB CLUB through closely forged links with Job Centre Plus, Treads, Connexions, local newspapers and also local businesses which advertise straight to the organisation.
Advisers give practical help, advice and support to anyone of any age looking for work, training or volunteering opportunities. This includes helping to write or update CVs, analysing and reviewing skills, using printed and online media to find vacancies, filling in application forms and making appointments for job interviews.
The club is looking for volunteers with different work backgrounds and experience to become advisors. There is no ideal adviser candidate, and training is given to suit the individual adviser’s experience.
Job Club sessions take place in the TREADS Building, 28a Market Place, Blandford from 10am -1pm, where there are computer terminals and local newspapers available for job seekers to use in finding jobs.
Volunteers are also needed for Gillingham Job Club and a NEW Club being set up in Shaftesbury.
Gurkha Road
On Thursday 13th September 2012 the official opening of Gurkha Road took place. The Mayor, Cllr Sara Loch, was welcomed by a piper from the Queens Gurkha Signals and joined Deputy Mayor, Cllr Bob Brannigan and Ward Member Cllr J Stayt of Blandford Forum together with officers and soldiers from The Queens Gurkha Signals. Residents of Gurkha Road joined in to celebrate the honour the Queens Gurkha Signals were given of having a road named after them on the Badbury Heights development. Both the Mayor and Captain Rajeev Shrestha gave heartfelt speeches after the road name was revealed.
Rifles Way
The Rifles Regiment were given the honour of having a road named after them on the Badbury Heights development in Blandford Forum. On Thursday 2nd August 2012 the official opening of Rifles Way took place. The Mayor, Cllr Sara Loch and Deputy Mayor Cllr Bob Brannigan of Blandford Forum met officers Lt Col Andrew Edwards and Lt Col Geoff Nicholls, soldiers and a bugler from the Rifles Regiment and residents from Rifles Way. The road name was revealed and the bugler played a short fanfare after the speeches.
Youth Advisor to Blandford Forum Town Council, Felix Morris-Duffin receives a certificate from Inspector Shawn Whitley in recognition for all his efforts.
DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL’S GRASS CUTTING – HIGHWAY VERGES
Dorset County Council has changed how it will be managing vegetation on highway verges this year. Unfortunately as a result of the financial situation, they have had to reduce the amount that they cut urban verges. In the past, they have cut these verges more often than they were required to by law; and went beyond the cutting that would ensure safety to provide cuts for amenity as well. To meet the county councils budget saving targets, their cutting regime will now be limited to what they have to do by law, bringing their programme into line with other similar highways authorities and ensuring safety but not additional amenity.
The two attachments below detail their work plan for this year. In the Word document you will see their policy for different aspects of verge management, including urban and rural roads. It explains that some verge cutting will be carried out by other contractors in some areas. The spreadsheet shows when the county council will be cutting various types of road verge, including major routes, rural roads, dual carriageways and accident blackspots.
Further information is available on http://www.dorsetforyou.com/388012
or you can telephone 01305 221020.
AGE CONCERN BLANDFORD NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEERS
Age Concern Blandford are looking for another person to join their team of volunteers manning the office. You need a friendly manner in dealing with people and a willingness to learn how to use the filing system and give basic advice and information to callers-in. Initially you would sit in on interviews and then work alongside a more experienced volunteer until you felt confident to see clients on your own. Enquiries you deal with might include assisting in filling in forms or directing a person to debt advice, housing assistance or a club. (There is a separate benefits adviser who sees clients by appointment.) You need to be prepared to commit to one morning (10-1) a week or a fortnight.