Twining Enterprise partners with The Pret Foundation
Twining Enterprise is delighted to have signed a partnership agreement with The Pret Foundation to increase the flow and variety of jobs it can offer its clients with mental health conditions, by now offering them opportunities to work at Pret A Manger shops, helping to create freshly made food and organic coffees across the UK.
The partnership agreement means that Twining Enterprise clients receiving support to find work can be referred directly to The Pret Foundation’s ‘Rising Stars’ programme.
The Pret Foundation was created by Pret A Manger over 25 years ago with the mission to tackle hunger, poverty and homelessness around the world. One of the ways The Pret Foundation helps do this is by providing training and employment opportunities at Pret A Manger shops to those most in need of a fresh start through programmes like ‘Rising Stars’.
With this new partnership, when The Pret Foundation feels there is a potential match with a Twining client they will be invited to undertake a trial shift at Pret A Manger to see if it is a mutual fit. If both agree, the client will be invited to join the three-month paid ‘Rising Stars’ programme.
During the three-months trainees will get regular peer-to-peer support on-the-job, as well as ongoing support from their Twining Employment Specialist for up to 26 weeks from job start, at no cost to the trainee or Pret. The trainee also receives regular feedback during the training programme, so they know how they are doing, and at the end of the three-month period, successful trainees are offered a job with Pret.
Employer Engagement Manager at Twining Enterprise, said, “The employer partnership is mutually beneficial – we want to increase the number of secure job opportunities we can offer our clients, whilst Pret wants committed job applicants who are also benefitting from Twining’s on-the-job support. Most importantly, everyone at Twining and Pret really want trainees to succeed in finding sustainable employment.”
Nina Allard, Head of The Pret Foundation explained, “At The Pret Foundation we’re about doing the right thing, that’s why we’ve dedicated our Rising Stars employment programme to supporting people that need a second chance in the workplace. This is what makes Twining Enterprise a fantastic partner for us and we’re excited to welcome more people onboard.”
About Twining Enterprise
Twining Enterprise exists to improve mental wellbeing through helping people with mental health problems find and stay in work; and for over 25 years it has been changing the lives of individuals across London. To help create the right job opportunities Twining works directly with employers, handpicked for their desire to create an inclusive and diverse workforce which values mental wellbeing, and challenges stigma and discrimination.
If you are over 19, unemployed and have mental health problems, Twining Enterprise's IPS Works programme can help you with finding work, sector-based training or help prepare you for independent job-searching. Our IPS Works project is part funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. You can find out more at www.twiningenterprise.org.uk.
