It sounds a little like the Spiderman meme, but the results of this dynamic duo speak for themselves
Chris outside Tim Hortons in Coleraine
"Being on the Verve Programme with the NOW Group has worked out really well for me. I enjoyed the regular communication, support and being able to talk things through with my Employment Officer.”
These words from Chris Campbell from Coleraine are music to our ears. They are especially satisfying for our Employment Officer in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, Chris Bolton. But, truth be told, they are well earned, because Chris has been happily working as a Team Member at Tim Hortons in Coleraine since January 2021.
Having found out about NOW Group through his sister, Chris joined us in October 2019 with the singular goal of securing the support that would boost his ability to gain employment. As such, he was signed up to Verve, NOW’s award-winning training and employment programme, where he originally worked with our Employment Officer for Mid and East Antrim, Paddy Crothers, prior to Chris Bolton’s arrival in September 2020.
Unusual among our participants, Chris did not attend or complete any courses on his road to a job, although it was something that he considered prior to the beginning of the pandemic. Instead, the focus was placed on a highly targeted path into employment, with all parties feeling that tactics such as vocational profiling and regular job searching would drive the desired outcome.
This approach continued when Chris met Chris in October 2020. It is proof that sticking to your guns can get you to where you want to go, but also that two Chris’ are most definitely better than one.
Now six months into his new job, Chris tells us, “I am really enjoying my job with Tim Hortons and am now looking forward to buying myself a PS5!"
More music to our ears. It’s also very positive to see that Chris continues to set himself goals (despite the difficulty at present in coming by a PS5!). The customers of Tim Hortons in Coleraine are lucky to have his exceptional service and coffee.
Interested in learning more about our support services? Give us a call on 028 9043 6044 or drop us an email at admin@nowgroup.org. Our team is ready to help you into work in 2021.
This project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020 and the Department for the Economy.
