Information: local employment advice and support for complex needs

 

London Borough of Lewisham hosts a directory of employment support available via local organisations in Lewisham.

Community Education Lewisham provide a wide range of adult education courses around the borough. Also provide: Basic Skills Training, CV Advice, ESOL, Learning Difficulties Support, Mental Health Support, Non-accredited IT Training (informal), Numeracy and Literacy. Visit their website for more information or call the enquires line on 0208 314 3300, Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm.

170 Community Project  provide advice on entitlement, debt self help, housing information, and help with on-line claims. Tel: 020 7732 9716 (170 New Cross Road). Drop in Mondays 10-12. Otherwise appointment only via the Lewisham Advice Line. Tel: 0800 231 5453 9am-5pm

New Cross Learning – (New Cross Road) Weekly IT support and jobsearch support sessions, Wednesdays 11.00-2.00pm. You can just turn up for support in using the computers, accessing emails and online forms, drafting word documents, printing etc. Ask for Sezin.

Elevating Success – personal development company specialising in training and development for individuals and groups. Provide an employability skills programme, On the Road driving theory programme, Pathway to work in Construction, and Pathway to work in Catering. Also offer full range of employability skills programmes to young and ex-offenders in partnership with YOT and the London Community Rehabilitation Company (based in Brockley/Honor Oak). 

Twelve01 – Advice and Guidance, Basic Skills Training, CV Advice, Employment Support, Interview Preparation, Job Brokerage, Job Search, Non-accredited IT Training (informal), Work Placements, Work Skills Training. (Based in Downham).  

People Plus – Advice and Guidance, Basic Skills Training, CV Advice, Employment Support, ESOL, Interview Preparation, Job Brokerage, Job Search, Work Placements, Work Skills Training (National organisation, Lewisham base is in Lee Green). 

MI ComputSolutions – Training provider based in Deptford providing support with job searching, CV writing, volunteering opportunities as well as courses including functional skills, ICT, employability, Customer Service, Childcare, Health and Social Care, ESOL and other courses. 

Group Horizon – Group Horizon is a national training provider specialising in Construction, Manufacturing, Building Services, Engineering and Renewable Energy. They also provide training around IT skills, and are based in Lewisham. 

Young People

Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust – Provides a range of employment focused services for young people. Deptford. 

Somerville Youth and Play Provision provide employment and development support on Friday afternoons. Contact the centre direct for further details (Queen’s Road, New Cross). 

Chance UK – improving the lives of primary school children with behavioural difficulties who are at risk of developing anti-social or criminal behaviour by offering them tailored, one-to-one mentoring with a carefully screened, trained and supervised adult.

Carers

Carers Lewisham provide support to carers to develop skills and confidence in preparation for going back to work. Support includes practical skills such as skills assessment and CV preparation; professional advice, such as exploring the job market and advice on your employment and benefit rights; as well as computer classes and other skill development support. Contact: Beverley, tel: 020 8699 8686 or email Beverley@carerslewisham.org.uk.

Refugees

Agency for Refugees in Lewisham – AFRIL offers a free advice service for migrants and refugees on key aspects of UK life. Non-judgemental, professional advice include: Healthcare, Debt, Welfare, Work and employment, Consumer concerns, Education, Housing

Other ESOL classes

Action for Refugees, in collaboration with Community Education Lewisham. Lessons take place at Leemore Central Community hub, Bonfield Road, SE13 5ES. Contact iolanda@afril.org.uk. 

Adult Learning Lewisham, classes take place at Brockley Rise, Grove Park. Tel 0208 314 3300. 

Quaggy Development Trust. Classes take place Mondays 9.45-11.45 at Holy Trinity Centre, Bennett Grove, SE13. Tel: 0208 465 9785

Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, provides ESOL classes every Saturday 12:00-2:30 at the Albany, Deptford. www.thealbany.org.uk. 

More complex needs

Bench outreach – support and advocacy for rough sleepers – 0208 694 7740
Deptford Reach – rough sleepers day centre – 0208 692 6548
999 Club – rough sleepers day centre and targeted support around worklessness – 0208 694 5797
CRI New Direction – support for drug and alcohol users to access support and treatment – 0208 314 5566

Other useful numbers (benefits)
IS and ESA new claims            0800 055 6688
Benefit enquiries                     0345 608 8545
Pensions helpline                    0345 606 0265
Pension Credit Application        0800 999 1234
DLA                                       0345 712 3456
PIP enquiries                          0345 850 3322
PIP Claims                              0800 917 2222
National Insurance Number      0345 600 0643
Social Fund                            0345 603 6967
Tax credits                              0345 3003900
Child Benefit                           0300 200 3100
Lewisham HB                          0208 690 8444
UC Service Centre                   0345 600 0723

We’d like this page to be as up-to-date and comprehensive as possible, so if you are a provider of employment support activities within New Cross or the surrounding area, or if you would like to add or edit content to this page, please contact:jenny.couper@nxgtrust.org.uk