Hackney Unites Unemployed Workers Project

Unemployed Workers Conference: Wednesday 26th October 10am-4pm

 Morley Hall, 125-127 Mare Street, London, E8 3RH

Hackney’s unemployed are getting organised.

Voluntary and Community groups in Hackney working in economic development can make a valuable contribution to the Hackney Unites Unemployed Workers Project which will hold discussions on issues surrounding unemployment. Practical ways to combat isolation and exclusion will be discussed and there will also be a job fair and sessions on working with local employers and training providers to match people to the opportunities available .

The Mayor of London: Boris Johnson has praised a unique Hackney initiative to bring unemployed workers together with local employers, community groups and training providers. Hackney’s unemployed workers group has been meeting for the last three months and on Wednesday 26 October the group will be holding a conference, training and jobs fair at Morley Hall, 125-127 Mare Street, London, E8 3RH from 10am to 4pm (with lunch provided).

There will be a range of stall holders from statutory and community groups and organisations, plus a question and answer session with local politicians Guy Nicholson and Jeanette Arnold, as well as Laurie Heselden from the Trades Union Congress.

The aim is to bring unemployed workers together to discuss their problems and to explore possible solutions Hackney Community College will be attending and it is hoped to develop a process by which local employers begin to work more closely with local training providers to equip local unemployed people with the skills they need to apply for those jobs that are around.

The day will also look at ways in which unemployed workers can cope with the isolation and exclusion which comes from not being in work and not being in receipt of wages. There will be workshops on volunteering and bicycle repairs, and the group are planning an on-line guide to what can be done for free or very cheaply in Hackney.

Mayor Johnson has expressed his regret that he cannot attend personally, but has praised the event: ‘it is great to hear about locally developed responses to some of the challenges that London faces, particularly during periods of increasing unemployment’ he concluded ‘I hope the conference is a fantastic success and would like to extend my warmest good wishes to all connected with it’.

The organisers are now looking for local businesses to join Hackney’s unemployed workers, community groups and training providers to find ways of matching the unemployed to those jobs that are available.

The day is open to unemployed, employers, and community organisations. Registration is via a website: http://huuwp.eventbrite.com, email: andrea@hackneyunites.org.uk or phone: 07956 546110

More info from John Page Secretary Hackney Unites: 07984 360 395