Darren has been long-term unemployed since 2019 when he worked in a security role before covid. He had previously done hospitality in the Fairmont Hotel and McDonalds. Darren had been looking to get back into work and wanted to go back to hospitality
as opposed to looking at security again. He told me he makes a great cheesecake! Through Fife Job Contract funding he has secured a job at Hanrella Café in Leven. He excels at the bakery assistant role and has also enjoyed preparing food for customers, many of who he knows through being in the café as a customer!
Darren visited the Hanarella café as a customer with his kids and mum. He loved the atmosphere and found it calming and relaxing, as well as it just being a short walk from his home. One day, the café owner had been talking to Darren and said that he had been trying to find someone to assist with the bakery of various desserts: pastries, cannoli’s and freshly made bread. Darren had said ‘I could do that’ which took the café owner by surprise a bit!
The employer went away to research funding opportunities and came to the Fife Job Contact. After a successful employer bid, the manager was able to take Darren on. Darren’s employer has said that Darren gets on great with the bakery duties and also has been assisting in the café with breakfast and lunch orders. Darren is loving this job. Darren’s referral came to FJC in December, and he was case loaded by SES to discuss previous barriers to work and discuss ongoing support for going into work. Since Darren is doing so well and is supported within the workplace, FJC will continue light-touch support as a joint approach. Darren has overcome a lot of barriers including barriers to work due to childcare and mental health difficulties. Darren has had support to get his life back on track and finding work has helped him so much. This opportunity happened so naturally and really works for him as he was already comfortable in the environment and knew the café owner. When I asked Darren how he was finding the job, he said he was finding his flow at the café and was enjoying the peacefulness of the bakery. Darren said he has even learned to make pasta from scratch. He said, “I went looking for a job but instead found a family.” Definitely give the café a visit and try the cannoli!
If you are an employer, 3rd Sector employer or one of our Service Directorates, we can support you for recruitment, we can help promote additional jobs, Modern Apprenticeships and provide support on multiple fronts. For eligible clients there may be funding support available. If you would like more information, drop us an email at – FJC@fife.gov.uk