Two way stretch

An exciting new project is underway which brings together ex-offenders working for St Giles and professionals from a range of other companies.  It aims to help both benefit from each other's experiences and perspectives.

The Professional Skills Coaching Project will match volunteers from corporate companies with staff at St Giles who could benefit from one-to-one professional coaching around a range of soft skills.

St Giles has a strong track record of employing ex-offenders, many of whom have never worked in a professional office environment before. Our ex-offender staff are extremely motivated to make the best of their opportunity but do not always have experience of the general dynamics of office and team working. Many people working for corporate companies are ideally placed to share their experiences and providing coaching over issues such as communicating with colleagues, timekeeping, dress code and achievieng a good work/life balance.

The project aims to be mutually beneficial, as highlighted by Colin Skyers, who coordinates the Professional Skills Coaching Project.  He says: "People who work in the corporate sector have skills and if we can match some volunteers in the corporate sector in a coaching relationship, the ex-offenders benefit by being coached and the corporate sector is brought closer to the issue, helping to bring a greater awareness of diversity to their workforce. Hopefully this will break down some of the barriers leading to employment opportunities for ex-offenders."

Anyone who volunteers to become a Professional Skills Coach will receive full training and be matched against ex-offender staff at St Giles. Each coaching relationship will be facilitated by Colin and will mainly take place via phone calls and email, with the aim of an informal face-to-face meeting happening once a fortnight.

The project will run in two tranches and is funded until 31 March 2010 through the Government's Learning Revolution adult learning programme. St Giles are currently in the process of recruiting volunteers for the first tranche of the programme.

For further information on the project, contact Colin Skyers at colin.skyers@stgilestrust.org.uk or phone him on 020 7703 7000.