As part of the Allenton Big Local Profile Review, we’ve been talking to people who have used the Work Club at Allen Park to find out what they think about the service on offer.
The Work Club is funded by Allenton Big Local and delivered by Derby Adult Learning. It is held every Monday (except bank holidays) between 10am and 3.30pm at the Allen Park Centre.
Someone who has used the Work Club successfully in the past is Allenton Big Local’s very own Kay Kennedy. Kay is a local resident and, since April 2018, she has also worked as the Plan Co-ordinator for the Allenton Big Local project.
Kay said: “Yes, I was a member of the Allen Park Work Club. I used to go along on Monday mornings and have a look on the computer to find out what jobs were available. The club helped me with my CV, job searches and getting my life organised around getting work.
“Because I have family commitments, I couldn’t work full-time and all the jobs I was coming across were for hours that I wasn’t able to do. I applied for a few of the jobs anyway but, when I was offered an interview and I explained about my availability, the employers told me that those hours wouldn’t work for them.
“Chris Walker at the Work Club knew about my time constraints and what hours I was able to work. It was Chris who pointed out the Allenton Big Local vacancy to me. He said: ‘This job would be perfect for you, Kay. You should apply.’ So I did! The Work Club gave me advice on how I should carry myself out at the interview and that helped me feel less nervous.”
“The advisors at the Work Club are really friendly and helpful. They put you at ease and give you confidence in yourself. In fact, everyone who uses the Work Club is helpful and friendly. They talk to each other, encourage each other, and support each other with things like IT.
“Being part of the Work Club worked out well for me and I’d definitely recommend it to others.”
We asked Kay what difference working for Allenton Big Local had made to her life. She said: “I now have an outside focus that isn’t just about my children or inside my house. I get to spend time around other adults, which is what I needed. The job gives me a sense of well-being and satisfaction. I love my job. I really do.”
And Kay is not the only person who has endorsed the benefits of the Work Club. Take a look at these comments from other residents who have used the service:
“I have attended an ECDL computing course here in Allenton, which was arranged through the Work Club. This was a really convenient venue because it meant that I didn’t have to spend money on bus fares getting to a course in town.”
“The Work Club in Allenton makes finding and applying for jobs much easier and there is always lots of information available. Using the computers here is a lot better than having to use my phone.”
If you’re looking for a job or want to improve your career prospects, visit the Work Club at the Allen Park Centre (next to Allenton Library) on Mondays between 10am and 3.30pm.
We are holding our annual community event/AGM at St Martin’s Church and Community Centre on Flint Street on 12th February, time to be confirmed. 
At the Christmas event at St Martin’s Church and Community Centre on 15 December, we asked people to Make a Wish for Allenton. We were speaking to local residents to find out what they’d like to see in Allenton in 2019 as part of the Profile Review for Allenton Big Local. One of the Make A Wish cards was selected at random to win a £50 shopping voucher. The prize draw winner has been notified and the voucher is on its way to them – just in time for Christmas.
Allenton United Under 12s have received £1,000 of support from the Allenton Big Local Community Chest fund. They put the money towards a trip to Manchester with 15 young people to take part in the Manchester Cup.
During the refurbishment of St Martin’s Community Centre, the Enthusiasm Trust delivered youth sessions in October, November and December at alternative outreach venues within the Allenton Big Local area. 
The Work Club continues to offer support to an average of 12 people every Monday at Allen Park. The club is funded by Allenton Big Local and delivered by Derby Adult Learning and offers a range of support to job seekers and those looking to improve their career prospects. 
Allenton Big Local funds support for local families which is delivered by the Nacro Osmaston Family Project. You can 
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We completed our annual survey during 2017 and, this year, managed to speak to 135 people to get their views on Allenton and how they feel about the area. We have now published the results of the survey alongside the feedback from 2016 and 2015.
At the community event that will take place on 9 January at St Martin’s Community Centre, we will be hold our AGM and confirm the Allenton Big Local partnership for 2018. 
Allenton Big Local is holding a community event at St Martin’s Community Centre on Flint Street in Allenton on 9 January 2018 at 6.30pm.
The popular Allenton Big Local Christmas event will be back at Allenton Market again this year, on Saturday 16 December between 10am and 2pm. 500 tickets will be available to the free event, which will host Santa and his reindeers in the grotto on the market.
Every week up to 20 young people from Allenton take part in a fantastic dance project which is funded by Allenton Big Local and delivered by the Enthusiasm Trust, supported by Trinity Warriors. 
