Aspire Sheffield is the not-for-profit group based in Hillsborough that helps the homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded back into work, using a series of initiatives designed specifically to create fresh starts.

They have developed strong links with the Sheffield arm of national organisation BTCV Enterprises – who though various routes such as the New Deal programme – create many new work experience opportunities.

And now they are calling on South Yorkshire's business community to support them and join in the creation of even greater opportunities for work.

"People who are walking the streets, sleeping on the streets through no fault of their own often believe there is no way out of their situation because nobody will want to give them the chance to work again," said BTCV Enterprises South Yorkshire Operations manager Paul Burton.

"But working with an organisation like Aspire Sheffield we have been able to provide definite and positive support, helping people to get their lives back on track."

Dave Metcalfe, the general manager of Aspire Sheffield, explained: "We deal specifically with people who have had homelessness issues and have been able to place them on environment projects set up by BTCV.

"BTCV is a massive national organisation and Aspire is a local, small charity but the relationship we have been able to develop is absolutely fantastic, helping us to make a positive difference to lots of people's lives."

What Dave and Paul would now like to see, though, is more of the region's companies following their lead and offering work placements to people who need to rediscover working life.

"We have proved this sort of project can be successful and that homeless people and those whose lives for many different reasons may have fallen outside of the mainstream can, with the proper support, make a positive contribution and use work to turn things around," said Dave.

"There are people who do have many skills to offer and just need to know they can put those skills to use again."

Anybody who would like to offer work placements can contact Dave Metcalfe at Aspire Sheffield on 0114 285 3788 or email: dave@aspire-sheffield.co.uk or Steve Watkinson at BTCV on 0114 290 1255 or email: S.Watkinson@btcv.org.uk


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