New job prospects for volunteers

Kairos director Mossie Lyons and volunteers from Kairos attended the London Career Fair for the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping sector on Wednesday, writes Adrianna Jones.

A joint event organised by Homeless Link, the GLA, London Councils and Bloomberg Associates, the fair featured 14 employers, ranging from frontline organisations such as St Mungo’s, Thames Reach and The Single Homeless Project, to housing associations such as Riverside and Providence Row Housing Association. It was the first event of its kind for the sector.

We were excited to attend and raise awareness of Kairos’ volunteer programme for residents who wish to pursue careers in the health and social care sector. Our volunteers gain invaluable frontline, hands-on experience, whether at Bethwin Road or Linden Grove, as well as the opportunity to complete a Diploma (Level 3) in Health and Social Care. Highly trained and experienced, they are well positioned to ‘hit the ground running’, ready to address some of the sector’s recruitment challenges. 

We found a great openness to what Kairos has to offer and left with many new connections made and doors opened. “I was delighted at the reception and that everyone was so interested in Kairos and what we do. Potential employers really were open to job applications from people who have been through volunteering and who have good life experience, plus the Health and Social Care qualifications”, said Mossie Lyons.