Free advice on offer at community centres

(Date of issue: Thursday, 17 September 2009)

A series of free employment and health roadshows will be held in some of Carlisle’s community centres, starting next Tuesday (22 September).

Local residents will be given the opportunity to get advice on a wide range of wellbeing issues. Health and fitness checks will be available alongside professional support to help local job seekers be ‘fit for work’. This will include CV writing, interview techniques and advice on how to dress for an interview.

Carlisle City Council, NHS and Connexions Cumbria will all offer their support.

The drop-in sessions will include the chance to get a health check – blood pressure checks, body mass index and healthy eating. A job seekers ‘makeover’ will also be available. This will include advice on how to apply for a job, and how to dress for success. The roadshows will be held:

Organised by Carlisle City Council and partners, the roadshows have been part funded by the county-wide ‘Return to Work’ programme. They follow on from a city-wide Jobs and Skills Fair at The Sands Centre, held last Friday (11 September) which attracted more than 1,000 visitors.

Carlisle Cllr Marilyn Bowman, Portfolio holder for Economy, said:

“The Jobs Fair was a resounding success and the roadshows also aim to provide much needed support to local job seekers. We need to help our workforce gain new skills, but also ensure that they are given support to be ‘fit for work’. During these hard economic times, events of this type provide much needed support to those who need it most.”

For more information about the roadshows, telephone Carlisle City Council on 01228 817415.