CAREER PURSUIT 2021

RESOURCES 74 LIFEWORKS FAMILIES ifeWorks has industry-leading success rates, with more than 83% of participants moving into meaningful employment or work-related activity within 12 months of completing the programme. This only becomes more significant when considering that almost 80% of delegates have some form of physical or mental disability, which could pose as barriers to employment. Needless to say, the Covid pandemic has presented LifeWorks with challenges. The programme relies on a five-day intensive face-to-face delivery model, where veterans and their family members have direct contact with and feedback from trained vocational assessors – many of whom are veterans themselves. Here, they learn how to revamp their CVs, search both the traditional and hidden job markets, and receive tailored advice through practice interviews with business leaders and experienced professionals. Sadly, our traditional delivery model was postponed due to the pandemic. However, undeterred by not being able to deliver at our usual locations across the country, LifeWorks adapted to provide veterans and their family members, who were struggling to find employment during the pandemic, the tools they needed to secure work and improve their own lives. Through a remote, digitised support programme, LifeWorks ensured that veterans weren’t left behind. This break in the usual operational tempo, however, allowed for a timely opportunity to review the LifeWorks programme and how we can best support our beneficiaries. Moving forward, our skilled team of vocational assessors, who underpin the LifeWorks framework, will continue in their central role. However, with the support of a new veteran liaison role, LifeWorks will now actively develop relationships with employment partners who recognise the immense value and potential of the Armed Forces community in the world of work – providing an additional referral outlet for our delegates. Our unique ReachBack service will also continue, which will see LifeWorks delegates receive ongoing, proactive support and mentoring to ensure job sustainability, as well as further on-hand advice to instil continued confidence in engaging with the job market. Moving forward, to further enhance the LifeWorks model, RBLI will incorporate its highly impactful holistic welfare support service, STEP-IN, which provides a tailored support programme to more than 300 veterans living on RBLI’s intergenerational Aylesford village. This will see our leading LifeWorks programme further reinforce the support available for those beneficiaries who have ongoing, complex needs. For more information and to hear about LifeWorks and how you can work with us, please email us at lifeworks@rbli.co.uk. Since 2011, Royal British Legion Industries’ (RBLI) LifeWorks programme has providedtrulylife-changing employment support to military veterans and their families. Over the past decade, RBLI’s LifeWorks programme has supported more than 3,000 people from the Armed Forces community, helping them to move into meaningful and rewarding employment and, ultimately, regain their independence. L Through a remote, digitised support programme, LifeWorks ensured that veterans weren’t left behind.