How we work with the PCT

The Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Kensington and Chelsea has a programme which offers unemployed citizens a chance to gain confidence, new skills and the experience needed to gain a new job. The trust is committed to developing the local community by offering volunteering opportunities. Alongside their high quality volunteering roles they also offer excellent training opportunities. The trust stands out from the crowd of other service providers because of the solid work experience their volunteers get.

Ann Keaning manager of the HR department was very pleased with the teamwork between the PCT and the Volunteer Centre (VC) Kensington and Chelsea:

“We have worked closely with the VC for about three years and it has been highly beneficial. They are very helpful. Our close co-operation really benefits the community”

A great example of the process is Joanne from the HR department who got her job with the PCT by using the Volunteer Centre herself. She says:

“It was a very positive experience working with the Volunteer Centre. When I contacted the centre I had already twelve years of HR and admin experience but had been between jobs for a year and a half. No employer would respond to me because I wasn’t in a job. A vicious circle.

I was very happily surprised with how quickly it all worked out. Within a week of having sent my CV to the Volunteer Centre I was referred to the PCT. Then within 3 days of the initial interview I was put on the volunteering service and after only two months I was hired for a full-time position.”

Ann remarked: “Joanne was filling the position perfectly as a volunteer so it made good sense to make it a permanent paid arrangement”

This is another example of how partnerships with the Volunteer Centre are benefiting volunteers, recruiting organisations and the communities they serve.