A brand new employment programme has been launched this week to help Telford and Wrekin residents learn lifelong skills and thrive in the workplace.

‘Job Junction’, a Telford and Wrekin Council led initiative, aims to help improve career and skill development opportunities in the area of Malinslee. It has come about thanks to a generous £20,000 donation from The Junction, the owner and manager of Telford Forge Shopping Park.

The ‘Job Junction’ centre will offer local people specialist advice to get on to the career ladder. Services at the centre include preparatory support for returning to work, education and training. Individuals of all ages and abilities will be welcomed at the centre and provided with tailored help in writing CV’s and job applications, as well as access to introductory courses in literacy, numeracy and ICT. The centre will also forge links with local employers for placements and adult work experience, one example of which will be Telford Forge Retail Park and its shops.

Lois Williams, Responsible Business Manager at The Junction comments: “With so much development planned for Telford it is important that local people can take advantage pf the opportunities offered. Our business is suported by people across the borough and we are glad to be able to give something back. The centre will provide a real opportunity for the people of Malinslee and we hope that other companies will recognise the benefit that such initiatives bring to local people and local enterprise.”

Cllr Dennis Allen, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “In Malinslee ward there are some 200 people on long term unemployment benefits. The ‘Job Junction’ is being launched to encourage and assist them to find worthwhile employment. We are extremely grateful to The Junction for their generous support and feel very positive that the scheme could enable up to trhee quarters of those unemployed in the area to start successful careers within twelve to eighteen months.”

The Job Junction ‘drop in’ sessions will be taking place at the Healthy House, 94 Withywood Drive, Malinslee every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 10am - 12noon.

On Saturday 12th July, as Telford’s clocks strike midnight, 200 women will line up at The Junction’s Forge Retail Park in Telford to start a sponsored walk in aid of the local hospice. The ladies will take a 10 mile tour of Telford coming full circle back to the Retail Park’s finish line.

The Midnight Walk is taking place for the first time this year and provides a major fundraising opportunity for local charity, Severn Hospice that cares for people with progressive and life-limiting illnesses in Telford, Shropshire and Mid Wales. The hospice was set up in 1989 to offer high standards of nursing and medical care for its patients, trying always to sustain quality of life and relief from pain. Since its doors opened it has provided respite and medical assistance to 12,000 individuals, not to mention the emotional care and counselling it has provided to their families, friends and carers.

The walk around Telford aims to raise approximately £10,000 towards the £5 million required to run the hospice each year, two thirds of which is dependent on donations and public support at events like this.

Lois Williams, Responsible Business Manager at The Junction, said: “We are pleased to be able to host an event for such a respected local cause. We hope it will raise public awareness of the amazing work that is carried out at the Severn Hospice and we wish all the participants lots of luck”.

Lucy Proctor, Fundraising Manager for the Severn Hospice commented: “We are really looking forward to the event and hope it will raise considerable funds to allow us to help many more people at their time of need. The interest in taking part in the Midnight Walk was substantial and, in response to this, we hope to repeat the event next year. We are delighted that The Junction is able to provide a central point fo rus to set up for the night, and thank them for their co-operation.”

For more information about the charity or to pledge support for the walkers, please visit the Severn Hospice’s website at www.severnhospice.org.uk

High Street fashion retailer, Laura Ashley has opened stores that will offer both fashion and home furnishings at two of The Junction’s retail parks.

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