Five years ago, my third column highlighted the contribution of the Glenorchy Work Club, now called the Glenorchy Job Café, and printed on 11th October 2018 with the opening remarks:

"Finding paid work is an important way out of a crisis, but looking for work can be stressful for people with nowhere to go or anyone to help.

In 2008 the Exmouth Job Centre closed; with nothing else to replace it the nearest assistance for job seekers was in Exeter. In 2011 the Glenorchy United Reform Church decided to help the local community by setting up a Work Club in the town, based in the Church hall. There was a need then; in 2018 the need is still there!"

In 2023, it is still here and still needed! Much has changed since 2018, but people are still looking for employment, as Simon Skidmore, the Job Café coordinator, reports.

The negative impact of Covid and Lockdown can’t be stressed enough on how it altered our lives in general. The Job Café has made some changes in its operation, hence the name change.

It was decided to have three clearly defined areas, including a designated job search section. This has numerous up to date lap tops with good internet and printing facilities for those all important CV’s, plus help in all areas of job search.

An advice and guidance area has frequent visits from both local and national employers, with live employment opportunities, to give clients a face to face conversation, without obligation.

Thirdly, a café which serves free tea, coffee - and cake when available - for those who wish to chill out and relax and have a chat with other clients and volunteers. The Glenorchy Job Café is open to all, even if you feel you are not quite ready for work.

Prior to Covid we would regularly have twenty clients during a Thursday session, but sadly the numbers have dwindled since then to between five and ten. There are many possible reasons, but it is clear that many have been struggling with their own mental health issues and have become isolated, which has been difficult to overcome.

Even with the smaller volume of clients attending, there have been real success stories with those who have been out of work and others finding real sustainable employment, which is good news indeed. Although small in numbers, we also have new clients finding our door, looking for help and a sense of direction with their job search, with which our volunteers are more than happy to help them.

Alongside the Job Café, we run a very active Facebook page, ‘Glenorchy Job Café - Exmouth’, where local and national vacancies are posted, and general points of interest, including training that might be available. This is updated daily, if not hourly! A good source of interest for those who are unable to make it to us on Thursday mornings.

The Glenorchy Job Café offers a friendly, non-judgmental, safe, welcoming environment, even if you’re not sure what the next step should be, or you only want a little help with your CV, just pop in for a chat, the service our volunteers provide is entirely free.

The Job Café is open every Thursday morning, and our current hours are from 9.15 to 12pm. We are just along from Specsavers on Exeter road – Look out for our flag.