A short video showcasing Manchester Cathedral Bees by Adam York Gregory Manchester Cathedral Bees from Adam York Gregory on Vimeo. Bee Hive Cameras We currently have two bee hive cameras upon the flat roof of Manchester Cathedral, click on the play button below to view the bees and their hives. Heavenly Honey produced by our […]
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Sir David Richards has become a patron of Volition Community following a visit last year to see the work of this charity. Welcoming Sir David, the Dean of Manchester thanked Sir David for his commitment to this programme which runs from Manchester and Liverpool Cathedrals. Sir David, encouraged at the outcomes of this programme of […]
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What a difference a year makes! As I wander through the silence of the Cathedral, making my way to the spiral staircase that will take me to the roof, I am reminded that only a year ago we were celebrating Manchester City’s Premier League title win. The Cathedral was bustling with people and equipment the […]
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We were nominated for a ‘best partnership working’ award at this years financial inclusion conference and came runner up!
The Manchester College (TMC) has a strong and strategic relationship with Volition; The Manchester Cathedral Volunteer Programme, an independent charity chaired by The Dean of Manchester. TMC’s mission to improve lives and economic success through learning and skills firmly aligns with Volition’s core belief that volunteering tackles poverty and social exclusion.
Designing quality interventions which support the long-term unemployed in their paths to the labour market and employment is very challenging, given the range of barriers they face. Close collaborative working between TMC and Manchester Cathedral has resulted in the provision of year round, qualitative training and employment support for volunteers. Since inception by Manchester Cathedral in 2012, over 700 volunteers have benefited from the programme with an overall 50% now in jobs.
TMC targets specialised support at some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities within Greater Manchester. The TMC / Manchester Cathedral partnership is successfully reaching out to and engaging these individuals by providing intensive support, training and mentoring to explore their needs, raise aspirations and increase experiences. All of this delivered from the historic buildings of Manchester Cathedral.
Candidates referred to Volition are not recently unemployed. Over 60% have been workless for over 36 months and 20% for over 5 years. Almost all present multiple barriers to employment which include:
This demographic makes the successful delivery of the programme and reintegration into the labour market very challenging. Despite this, over 50% of candidates are now in work. This is a very credible result in comparison to other national programmes.
TMC deliver an accredited training programme focussed on both hard and soft skills highly valued by employers. People who face barriers to employment – low self-esteem, isolation, health problems, and low levels of social capital – are often prevented by the same barriers from participating in other activities, including volunteering. TMC and Volition have the experience to support volunteers overcome such barriers and successfully progress towards work. For 50% of volunteers this is the first accredited qualification ever received.
TMC training facilitates employer engagement as much as possible and the Cathedral brand maximises this opportunity. This includes careers talks, site visits, training sessions and mock interviews. The format has a lasting benefit on both candidates and employers. Volition volunteers connect with employers and gain awareness of industry and entry requirements. Employers report
