Kenneth Osei-Afriyie, Day Care Assistant at Peabody’s Sundial Centre, reveals how the employment and training team at our Pembury Centre helped him to find a new job and ‘a real sense of purpose’.
I was born and raised in Ghana and first came to London over 25 years ago. Since then I have worked in various fields including community development and social welfare projects in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs.
I registered at the Pembury Centre in October 2011 having heard about the service through my local Job Centre.
My previous job had ended in 2009, but I made sure to use this period of unemployment productively by completing an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care, whilst volunteering at a day centre for the elderly and disabled. Care work was a natural career progression for me because I am extremely passionate about supporting others.
I was supported by the team at the Pembury Centre to develop essential skills to secure sustainable employment. They helped me to:
create a professional looking and tailored CV
complete application forms
compose effective supporting statements
prepare for industry-specific interviews
Whilst job searching at the Pembury IT suite, I was also able to support those who were new to using computers.
When the vacancy for a ‘Day Care Assistant’ at the Peabody Sundial Centre was first published online, I immediately started working on my application with support from the team. I was excited about this opportunity because I share the same philosophy and ethos of George Peabody - helping to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with the opportunities they need to live a good life – and wanted to use my skills, talents and experience for this noble cause.
Using the skills I had gained, I completed the online application and kept my fingers crossed for an interview. I was absolutely delighted to hear that I had been short-listed! I overcame fierce competition and a very tough and challenging interview stage thanks to the intense coaching and encouragement from the Pembury team.
At the beginning of March I received wonderful news - I had been successful at the interview and was offered the job! I am very much looking forward to helping to meet the Peabody objective of building thriving communities whilst building my own successful career.
'Welcome to the team!' Here I am (middle) with Peabody Chief Executive Steve Howlett, Sue Gibson and Felicility Hunt from the Pembury Centre.
- Located in Dalston, Hackney, the Pembury Centre offers skills development, training and advice for job seekers.
- Staff at the centre are experienced in delivering support and training to help people who are looking for a job, wanting to gain new qualifications or just expanding their life skills.
Find out more here
