Older Workers

IMPROVING LIVES, SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

How Social Enterprise Kent is Supporting Older Workers

Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) is the lead partner for the Building Better Opportunities project Lots More to Offer which has been in operation since 2017. In partnership with Swale Community and Voluntary Services ( SCVS) based in Sittingbourne, the project is delivered across Kent, Medway and East Sussex.

Lots More to Offer helps people over the age of 45 back into employment or training whilst building confidence, developing skills and l inking up with other organisations and services. As a team we have collectively supported 325 participants to date. 

Participants are allocated a dedicated Employment Support Advisor (ESA) who they meet on a regular basis in their local community. All participants receive the following support in addition to helping them challenge the potential barrier of age:

• 1 : 1 ESA support
• CV writing and updating Job searching techniques Training and upskilling Interview preparation
• Support into self- employment Support with motivation and confidence
• Developing bespoke employability action plans

Key Facts: 

90 participants lacked basic skills upon sign up

79 exited into employment

54 participants moved into job searching from being economically inactive

114 participants had disabilities or health conditions

69 People exited into training or education

Overall we have achieved a 62% conversion rate (ratio of registered starts into results)

Older Workers are Good for Business

Older workers are enthusiastic, mouldable and keen to learn. Whilst the young may be ambitious, older workers prefer job satisfaction and quality over high pay and benefits. Older workers have acquired more skills and are focussed and determined. Centre for Aging Better

Evidence shows that keeping older people in work actually improves employment prospects for younger generations. A New Vision for Older Workers, 2015

By 2022 the number of people in the UK workforce aged 50 to State Pension age will have risen to 13.8 million and the number aged 16 – 49 will have reduced by 700,000 .

Social Enterprise Kent runs a number of different projects promoting positive ageing including the Ageless Thanet project, the Wellbeing project and the Lot’ s More to Offer project.

We pride ourselves on our bespoke, individualised approach to helping people. We focus on what people can do, identify transferrable skills, boost self- confidence and help people feel that they have Lots More to Offer.

We work in partnership with Job Centres, local organisations and services, community groups, libraries, local training providers and other key stakeholders, to not only support people back into employment but also to reduce social isolation and loneliness, and help people feel connected with their local communities.

To find out more, contact:

Jess Bartindale, Employability Project Manager 07718 975721 [email protected]

To make a referral to the project contact Georgina Bush 07712 524568 [email protected]