Mayor visits Walsall employment specialist
Employment support specialists Steps To Work (STW) welcomed West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to its head office in Walsall last Friday.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), met with STW 's Chief Operating Officer, Ayesha Rees and Chair of its Board of Trustees, Paul Cadman to discuss its range of initiatives and learn about the support STW, and its recruitment arm, Starting Point Recruitment (SPR) offers to communities in Walsall and the wider area.
Whilst at the office, Mr Street also met team members and volunteers to learn about the incredible work they do to help non-privileged people in the area.
Over the last five years, STW has supported 47,983 local unemployed residents across the West Midlands to build their confidence, gain new skills, face their challenges, and ultimately obtain secure employment and financial stability.
During 2022, the charity supported more than 1,000 people into employment across a range of industry sectors, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, sales and marketing, IT, and social care.
With SPR offering a pioneering approach to recruitment, STW aims to be self-funded with 100 per cent of annual profits being donated to employment support projects that help to positively transform the lives of local people.
During the meeting, Mr Street learnt how the organisation is supporting communities in Walsall gain vital skills needed for employment, helping to break the cycle of unemployment and poverty for many.
This includes the Steps To Work Community Hub, situated in Pleck, which provides up to 600 meals a week for up to 80 local families.
SPR has also been working with Walsall council for almost 20 years, providing qualified social workers as well as other services to support those in the community.
Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, commented: “It was fantastic to visit Steps To Work in Walsall and meet some of the team who are doing such important work in helping local people find employment, right across the region.
“This charity has developed pioneering ways of genuinely changing lives for the better, whether that 's by helping residents develop useful skills needed for employment or supporting local families with meals. ”
Paul Cadman, chair of the board of trustees at Steps To Work, said: ' 'We are delighted to welcome Andy Street to our office in Walsall. It is incredibly important for politicians and community leaders like Mr Street to support charities like ours. Their support allows us to provide vital services for local communities and the unemployed. ' '