Working Denbighshire project offering walks with Fluffy Friends

In an endeavour to promote mental and emotional wellness on people’s journey towards employment, Working Denbighshire’s Barod Project is launching the ‘Paws and Pathways’ Wellbeing Walk, which will feature the heart-warming presence of therapy dogs.

Designed to provide a calm and nurturing environment for unemployed Denbighshire residents seeking a break from the challenges of daily life, the ‘Paws and Pathways’ Wellbeing Walk combines the therapeutic benefits of walking, with the comfort and companionship of certified therapy dogs.

The walks will be led by Barod’s Wellbeing and Resilience Coaches and walkers will be accompanied by the friendly therapy dogs provided by Therapy Dogs Nationwide with the hope of enhancing mental health and well-being.

Therapy dogs have an extraordinary ability to uplift spirits and provide emotional support, and their calming presence can reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety, making them ideal companions for those looking to enhance their mental and emotional wellness.

Tina Foulkes, Manager at Working Denbighshire said: “Being unemployed can have a negative impact on a person’s wellbeing so the ‘Barod’ project will be running activities to support individuals feeling these pressures.

"The project will be running a selection of wellbeing activities throughout the year, with a long term goal to prepare people for employment.”

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “It is great that this project is now expanding to include a walk with therapy dogs, as both taking a walk in the outdoors and interaction with dogs are known to boost mental health.

"I would encourage anyone who fits the criteria to sign up and give this free initiative a go.”

Walks will be taking place between 1pm and 2pm every Monday, in Rhyl, Denbigh, Llangollen, Prestatyn and Ruthin until 18 December. Visit https://www.denjobs.org/ to find the closest event to you.

Participation in the ‘Paws and Pathways’ Wellbeing Walks is free and open to individuals within the Denbighshire area, over the age of 16, who are unemployed and not in education. All fitness levels are welcome.

Booking is required and can be done by sending an email to cerian.phoenix@denbighshire.gov.uk or calling 07824 300769.

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire has received £3,529,632 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

           

Success for Working Denbighshire Job Fair held in Rhyl

Held at the 1891 Restaurant & Bar at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl, Working Denbighshire’s latest job fair saw over 230 people come through the doors.

The Jobs Fair took place in September, where over 43 businesses, made up of 28 employers, 9 support organisations and 6 training companies exhibited at the seaside venue.

Attendees ranged from local to national organisations including nationally recognised names such as North Wales Police, The Armed Forces, Balfour Beatty and Betsi Cadwaladr.

This Job Fair was the fourth and final one held in 2023, with plans for a January 2024 job fair now underway.

The Council’s Working Denbighshire service aims to co-ordinate support that helps people into work by removing barriers. Working with local businesses and organisations, the Working Denbighshire programme is committed to supporting people who live in Denbighshire to get into the world of work and/or further their skills with free training.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said: “We are very pleased to receive such positive feedback from the latest Job Fair.

"It is so important that we continue organising these events to support Denbighshire residents with their job search, and help businesses to connect with a large number of potential candidates in person and recruit people who are the right fit for their organisation.

"We are already planning employability events which are due to take place in the new year, so be sure to check our events calendar.”

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “It is great to see that the final Job Fair of the year was such a success.

"These Job Fairs are held to help the people of Denbighshire thrive, and to provide important employment support to the whole county.

"The Working Denbighshire team have worked extremely hard this year to host multiple successful Job Fairs, and I would like to thank them for their effort.”

To keep up to date with events and find out more about Working Denbighshire visit the website or to get employment support click here. 

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire has received £3,529,632 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

                                                                           

‘It’s got to be the right job’: the Welsh employment scheme tailored to local needs

Cllr Jason McLellan, Cllr Gill German and Alison McGovern MP visited Working Denbighshire at Rhyl Library in September, to speak about how the service aims to support Denbighshire residents into employment.

Alison Mc Govern MP, visits Working Denbighshire in Rhyl (photograph: Christopher Thomond / The Guardian)

Past participants and various members of the team, including participants that now work for the service in result of its scheme, spoke about the positive impact that Working Denbighshire has already had in the County and how it continues to support residents into employment through training, wellbeing activities, job searching, cv writing and so much more. 

Sediq Shamal, Luke Jones and Brandon Nellist opened up about their personal experiences with Working Denbighshire and the Guardian followed up the visit with a full article.

 

Sediq Shamal, who had to leave Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban in 2021 (photograph: Christopher Thomond / The Guardian)

Luke Jones at Tu Mundo café in Prestatyn (photograph: Christopher Thomond / The Guardian)

 

To read the full article, visit The Guardian

          

'Barod' November Timetable

On the road with Working Denbighshire

Work Wellbeing Event: 24 November at Rhyl Library (11.30am - 1.30pm)

This 'drop in' event is focused on supporting individuals looking for a career change or in need of a job, with their wellbeing.

This free event has been organised to link residents with service providers, to allow them to access relevant support and valuable information focused on employment.

 

In Work Support Event: 7 November at the Optics Technology Centre, St Asaph (9am - 12.30pm)

The Council in partnership with DWP are inviting employers based in Denbighshire to attend an informative event focusing on how collectively we can support local residents to develop their careers and thrive in the workplace.

This event is a unique opportunity to explore local support and resources available to you to enhance the skills of your workforce. Helping to provide improved job quality, stability and earning potential for many local people as part of an ambition to develop a strong local economy and a vibrant workforce.

If you would like to attend, please e-mail RHYL.EPTEAM@DWP.GOV.UK.