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   Confidence & Motivation

Client: Jobcentre plus

Format: A full day interactive workshop

Brief
To develop a new approach which would explain the process and highlight the benefits of New Deal to the 18-24 New Deal client group. The course will build soft skills, motivate and build the confidence of the target client group.

Methodology
Gibber developed a full day interactive workshop which informed participants about New Deal. The main objectives of the workshop were to:

• Explain the process and highlight the benefits of New Deal.
• Motivate the participants and make them feel more positive
  about themselves.
• Build confidence and raise self expectation.
• Empower the participants to take responsibility for themselves
  their own futures.
• Explore how the participants can overcome their barriers
  to employment.
• Challenge the participants’ negativity in a non-threatening
  atmosphere.
• Provide a platform for the participants to air their own views
  and opinions.
• Improve and analyse communication skills.

Results
We found that one of the major barriers to clients on New Deal was a cynicism or a lack of trust for Jobcentreplus. Many did not believe that New Deal was there to help them and were not open to what it could offer. They believed it was there to ‘get in their way’, an ‘inconvenience’ or ‘punishment’ for being long term unemployed. Using interactive drama techniques we were able to challenge those perceptions and paint a more realistic picture of what New Deal could offer.

At the beginning of each workshop every participant was asked to fill out a questionnaire to find out how they felt about New Deal:

33% felt positive about being on New Deal.
41% felt that New Deal would help them.
26% felt they already knew a lot about New Deal.
35% were happy about being sent on this New Deal workshop.

At the end of every workshop the participants were asked to fill out another questionnaire to find out they had found the Gibber workshop and what they had learnt.

97% stated that Gibber had taught them about New Deal and what it had to offer.

What did you think of the Gibber workshop?

How do you think the Gibber workshop was run?

93% agreed that Gibber was an enjoyable introduction to New Deal.

When the Adult Learning Inspectorate assessed the Gibber workshop, as part of the Gateshead and South Tyneside Gateway provision, Gibber were awarded a grade one. The workshop was so successful that Gibber was awarded a second contract through till September 2005.

Comments from participants:
“Gibber was funny – down to earth and supportive. I have fully enjoyed my day. Cheers.”
“I don’t think New Deal could be explained or delivered to people in a more enjoyable or better way than it was. Really good!”
“I felt that the team were friendly and open. I really enjoyed the day and it has given me a boost to get up and get the job that I really want. I know that my advisor is there to help me find a job.”