Shift gives homeless and vulnerable people the chance to undertake paid work in the field of painting and decorating.
A new supported employment scheme launched by Thames Reach in 2006, the project provides a stepping stone towards financial independence for those who are most excluded from the job market.
Thames Reach often needs to call on external contractors to do renovations and repairs of our accommodation and office buildings. Through Shift, this work can now be given to the people who use our services.
This will allow them to increase their employability by gaining real work experience and developing a portfolio of completed jobs, as well as improving their sense of self-worth.
Employees of the scheme are given appropriate training and the emotional and practical support needed for them to deliver a high-quality, professional service. Eventually, the project will expand to provide services to other voluntary and private sector clients.
Many Shift employees are graduates of our six-month painting and decoration course, MIMO, and the two schemes share a base at our Tower Workshops.
Thames Reach is grateful to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Deutsche Bank and the R L Glasspool Charity Trust, whose financial support has made the shift project possible.
