What is the employment initiative?

This project aims to provide advice, guidance and support to help you find employment, in a safe and friendly environment. There is no set formula, as the objective is to provide you with the tools you need to achieve your aims. We can deliver a variety of services, from providing information about setting up a business to accessing help in improving your IT skills. We have links with many local agencies, including Learning For Life and Jobcentre Plus, so we receive regular updates on job and training opportunities within Bedford.  The project is run by bpha and is sponsored by Beds County Council.

Where is the project based?

The project is based at The Community House, 28 Faldo Road, Bedford. This is a normal house that has been converted into a community resource. It has a meeting room and a mini cyber suite and is open to any members of the local community. The house has a weekly timetable of advice surgeries and sessions with various agencies including The Citizens Advice Bureau, the Community Beat Manager, Bedford Borough Council Street Rangers, as well as bpha’s own Money Advisors and Housing Officers.

How can I gain access to the advice and support on offer?

Initially, you can arrange to see Peter, the Employment Support Co-ordinator at The Community House, who will assess your needs and work out a "plan of action" to help you on the pathway to work. Peter can work with you on things like accessing training (we have links to most training providers and have up to date information on courses), providing careers advice, improving your interview skills, organising work experience or producing a good quality CV.  Peter’s contact details are given at the bottom of this page.

Any unemployed Bedford resident can access this service. The advice, guidance and support is completely free of charge.

The Cyber Suite

You can use the free computer suite at The Community House to hunt for jobs on the Internet, write letters or prepare a CV. We even have careers software to match you to your ideal career! As well as the computer facilities, we have a mini library stocked with books to help you improve your skills. Information is readily available on subjects such as managing your own business, self development, confidence building, communication skills, interview techniques, CV writing, letter writing and much more.

As a local employer you can support this initiative by linking with Peter to update us on employment and training opportunities within your business. This could be in the form of regular emails, or by post or phone.

Contact details

If you would like to find out more about any of the above, please contact Peter Rayner, Employment Support Co-ordinator, on direct dial 01234 350795 or 01234 791146, mobile 07766 508323,or by email at peterr@bpha.org.uk