The Recruitment Junction charity

The impact in supporting ex-offenders can be wide ranging, not just on the individual but for their families and the local community. Through successful support and helping people re-settle and build a new life we can help reduce rates of re-offending and prevent future victims of crime.

Challenge

In December 2021 an opportunity arose to work with our client, AECOM who we support with the delivery of the Northumberland Line contract, and a local charity called The Recruitment Junction.

The Recruitment Junction is a not-for-profit recruitment agency helping ex-offenders to find new jobs once they are released. In addition to the incredible work The Recruitment Junction completes all year round, the charity often seeks volunteers and donations to deliver extra support and bring even more benefits to the people they help.

Solution

Once our teams heard of the chance to support this charity, we quickly arranged for five volunteers from our Northumbrian teams to spend the day helping at The Recruitment Junction in Newcastle. We were joined by team members from our client AECOM, as well as another supplier, Geotechnical Engineering Limited. Together we packed and delivered 54 hampers donated to their job-seeking candidates – many of whom are still looking for work or have only recently been placed into work and are not yet ‘back on their feet’ financially.

As we delivered the hampers, we split into teams of two and drove to the recipient’s home. Once there we gave them the hamper and talked with them about the challenges they face, discovering what it means to them and their families to feel supported.

Results

The day was a great success with all hampers being delivered on time to all recipients.

Beverley Brooks, Founder and CEO of The Recruitment Junction explained that “For some of the people we work with, these may be the only gifts they receive this year. It means they can share them with their own families; to bless people with things they might not have the funds to spend themselves. It is our way of affirming that they are seen, that they count and that they are loved”.

Sarah MacGregor, Social Impact and Stakeholder Manager at Sunbelt Rentals and one of the volunteers said, “It was very humbling to see first-hand the joy and happiness that these gifts brought to the candidates. It was immeasurable, and something that will stay with me for a very long time. The wellbeing created on this day goes much further than I had previously imagined; not just because the hampers were full of wonderful treats, but also the simple act of industry supporting this project shows that we are listening, that we care and that we want to help…and this gives hope!”
 
We will continue to support The Recruitment Junction and the great work they carry out supporting those with past convictions to gain sustainable employment and re-settle into society.

Planning your project? See how we can make it happen and get in touch below.