Odd jobs scheme to get young people working
A FARMER is launching an innovative scheme aimed at tackling youth unemployment.
Richard Sibley, who owns Village Farm in Cleeve, is to set up Youth Hope to provide young people with jobs.
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Cleeve farmer Richard Sibley says young people can build up skills through his project
He wants to get together youngsters in the village who are signing on or looking for work and pair them up with residents who need odd jobs done.
A database of young people willing to work will be set up alongside a database of people needing various jobs done, such as grass cutting and window cleaning and gardening.
It is hoped the work will be done on a regular basis, perhaps weekly or monthly, and help young people build up their skills ready for when they secure a permanent job.
Mr Sibley hopes to work with local businesses that need workers on a casual basis, placing young people with various firms.
Mr Sibley came up with the idea after becoming increasingly concerned about the high numbers of young people across the district who are out of work.
Figures released this month show that there are 3,012 people aged 18 to 25 years old who are unemployed in North Somerset.
Mr Sibley, who will act as co-ordinator for the project, hopes to launch the scheme in the new year.
He said: "It makes complete sense to set up a scheme like this and I see myself as a catalyst for getting it going. There are a large number of young people in North Somerset out of work and surely it is better for them to be doing something rather than them being paid by the taxpayer for doing nothing.
"I think people in Cleeve would much rather see young people working and on that basis would hope they would sign up to the scheme.
"Hopefully this will roll out, and village by village and town by town we can abolish youth unemployment in North Somerset.
"It could be odd jobs such as a bit of gardening or cleaning windows or something on a more permanent basis such as regular grass cutting or helping on a weekly shopping trip.
"But the scheme would be open to any sort of work that someone needs doing."
Residents would agree a fee with the young person for the task completed.
Mr Sibley is also asking residents who may have unwanted tools, such as lawnmowers and shovels, to donate them to the project for young people to use.
He added: "Sitting there and signing on the dole is not going to get young people anywhere.
"As well as giving them the opportunity to earn some money, this scheme will really benefit the community and help build relationships in the village and improve young people's confidence.
"It will also help youngsters build new skills which could be useful in future careers."
Mr Sibley also wants young people involved in the scheme to organise events, such as plays and music nights for the community, at his farm or at other venues in the village.
Anyone who is interested in finding out more can contact Mr Sibley at richardsibley.villagefarm@gmail.com.
16 Comments
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by workforall
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 3:34PM
“To Sercreative.
Why not live rent free somewhere, feeding youself well, for £1 per day; earn £56 per day, 30 weeks per year, 6 days a week; for 4 years. Save £40,000.
Then at 28, decide your future.
The essence, is to 'keep' your earnings; enjoy all the free things of life only; be focused and content, that you have nothing to worry about; with a plan and a future!
Try this line of thought; if viability and sustainable economics is what you want. Contact me for a chat! tel (01934) 838709”
by RobBradStoke
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 2:13PM
“great idea as plenty of people have small tasks they are prepared to pay someone to do. Locally we have an budding entrepreneur doing ironing for an income.
As for graduate jobs, there are only so many available every year. if you can't get one, join the millions of us who never stood a chance of one - and look elsewhere!”
by sercreative
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 1:19PM
“Richard - I am 24 and currently looking for jobs anywhere I can. I support myself with what little freelance work I can get, no contribution from anyone else (not even benefits), so I'm about as "forward-planning" as you can get! My concern was that this system (just as many others do) ultimately favours young people who are living at home with mum and dad and can therefore afford to take on odd jobs without it affecting their finances too much (for example, even if they did have to declare their earnings against their JSA, they might not have food, bills etc to worry about, anyway). Unless a system is developed whereby young people can earn enough to support themselves, I'm concerned that this will add to the idea that young people should be encouraged to take on what few jobs there are, even though they ultimately won't be able to sign off benefits and they haven't got a hope of paying rent. For many of us, we don't have mum and dad to rely on, so I'm told I'm ungrateful or lazy for not wanting to take on these projects when actually I'm just trying to keep a roof over my head! I'm glad you're involved in these projects, but please please keep people like me in mind as you develop them.”
by workforall
Tuesday, January 10 2012, 10:02AM
“I'm Richard Sibley. Thanks to everyone who has posted comments about my proposals to create work, for 18 - 25 year olds, who are unemployed.
The article 'above', contained only a fraction of the plan.
'Youth Hope' and 'Upbeat Britain', offers to transform opportunities, for temporary earnings, or consolidate a direction, for permanent earnings; which will provide enough to live on.
So whether a graduate with a degree, or not, having work, earnings; (the ability to save, backed by our free accomodation suggestions), the acquisition of self-esteem; vouchers for free access to venues and other incentives, will all make life, both an adventure and a positive journey.
Businesses, across Britain, are yearning for unemployment to stop.
If youngsters earn from householders, the cycle of economics can start.
Having money, means you can spend. Spending money, creates jobs for others - they earn and can spend some back to you! It's called: supply and demand.
Working creates wealth, that passes from pocket to pocket - adding value to everyones lives.
And please don't think working for householders is demeaning. As young people, you'll need to maintain your own home, garden and belongings; so gaining skills, whilst earning - is a good use of your physical and mental energy!
You can still keep applying for jobs, but by working in the meantime, you open up your options - you don't reduce them.
To read more, go to: http://tinyurl.com/7nvlymr
I really think, with your young talent, you must grasp the future; because you are needed, to lead the country, your families and your communities.
There's nothing that can't be acheived, through self-belief - you can do it!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Good luck! Richard
p.s. I'm no spring chicken, so if I can transform life - you can; you have years ahead of you and your brain will absorb techniques, know how, contacts and motivational input. Brains only fully lock-on, to forward planning at the average age of 24, so maybe you'll see things more clearly, in a few years time. Trust me - just go for it, with all you've got. You will acheive great things in the end!”
by Tor_steve
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 12:31PM
“Recent Graduates... A degree has not been a guarantee of walking into a good job for ten years now despite the fables Universities tell young people when selling a plethora of micky mouse subjects.
Degrees in nursing? Look what abandoning SRN/RGN has brought to standards of care in hospitals!
Employers want to know what you can do not what you can theorise about so any experience and evidence of being capable of making an effort is valuable.
Take what you can get, gain experience in life and sell that experience well because sitting around at home makes you unemployable.
There are jobs about but they are at the bottom of the ladder and all too often filled by immigrants because our youngsters are too pompous and arrogant to take them.
BUT an apprenticeship or experience is far more valuable than a degree - get used to it”
by MarkBS9
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 12:05PM
“A few years ago I underwent a change of career and was told: if you want to be chief exec, start by applying for the cleaner's job. It is a fact that being in any employment at all equates to a more favourable position on the ladder from which to ascend. Anything on a CV that shows a candidate possesses motivation, adaptability, team spirit, trustworthiness, or even the ability to get out of bed in the morning and turn up on time, is a major differentiator. Consider also the networking opportunities presented by, say, mowing the lawn of a key mover and shaker in the business community.
Besides, outdoor practical work is actually fun when compared with the alternatives. Make the most of it while you can. Most white-collar stuff is wage-slave drudgery.
Mr Sibley is to be commended for providing youngsters with such a leg-up.”
by Charlespk
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 11:43AM
“"Niether, that's the problem, there arn't any jobs."
And whose fault is that? . Three guesses!
http://tinyurl.com/3w98qx7”
by Walkthetalk
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 9:32PM
“@torysarecool
''Philip87 and Philip88 apply for a job. Philip88 has worked with some crazy farmer doing odd jobs for little wage for several weeks whilst Philip87 has just sat at home playing football manager whilst raiding his mother's fridge.
Who gets the job?"
Niether, that's the problem, there arn't any jobs.”
by JamesKid
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 9:27PM
“This guy is a hero.
What a immensely positive response from a guy who sees his neighbours children out of work and out of money.
Any youngster involved needs to know two things. Firstly, that providing a full-time livelihood is not earned from this type of work - there is no political or public will to chase you through the tax or benefit system. Zero. You're doing the right thing.
Secondly, that a reference from Mr Sibley and a guide to exactly who he is and what you've been involved with will probably get you the job.
Perhaps not a great job, but you know that cycle of needing experience to get a job and needing a job to get experience?
That's the noise it makes when it's just been broken...”
by Bristoldjsuk
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 3:21PM
“@curtis..
Exactly. I graduated recently, and I had to do rubbish jobs just to show that i'm not a lazy bum. Worked my way up with 18 months and now in a proper graduate job. Getting into a company is key, if you're qualified and/or keen, you will stick out like a sore thumb. Granted, the getting into a company is more difficult than usual but I refuse to believe it's impossible because I did it by banging on every door!”