'Opportunity Centres' could help the unemployed

Bill says:

"The number of people who have become unemployed in Leek has increased by 137% over the last year. But this should present an opportunity rather than an occasion for gloom. I was looking at an article that appeared in the New York Times on a phenomenon that is sweeping the US in these times of recession and joblessness.

LaidOffCamp is an ad-hoc gathering of unemployed and self-employed people (including entrepreneurs and startups) who want to share ideas and learn from each other, and it is an idea that has now crossed the Atlantic.  I have been in contact with an individual who lives in Berkshire who thinks the idea could be developed in the UK as I do.

I do think that the name should be changed as being laid off has such negative connatations and I have thought of the idea of having an opportunity centre in Leek where the focus is more positive. Leek lost its Job Centre nearly four years ago, and I think for many people who are looking either to start up a business or who are looking for a new job the process can be an isolating one. What Leek needs, like other communities in North Staffordshire, is a place to meet where people who are in this predicament can talk, trade stories, voice concerns and share contacts that cam lead to work or opportunities.The idea is that such a venture is voluntary, self-supporting, built on the notion that we are in this together, and above all respectful, unlike many of the mandatory training courses that people who are unemployed are sent on.

I have also been in contact with Churches in Leek about developing the Opportunity Centre idea in Leek in the absence of a Job Centre and the idea has already met with some interest and I need to discover if there is a wider interest in my idea. I recently attended a Business Initiative new business start-up event in Stoke, and one of the more interesting aspects of the training course was swapping stories of the experience of setting up a business as well as the generally low opinion of the service offered by Job Centre Plus in North Staffs. There was a feeling that some of the advisers were out of their depth and also it was apparent that many of the participants were very knowledgeable about the local employment and self employment scene.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Bill Cawley on 07765 033 33 or 01538 382 96.