Our latest news
“I was anti-Jobcentre, but now I’m pleased with it” (A participant)
Good Vibrations is actively seeking to partner with more Jobcentre Plus branches, across the country, to support their long-term unemployed clients with disabilities and chronic health conditions to become more work-ready. Over the last two years, we have supported 36 men and women in this situation through projects run with Littlehampton, Bexhill, Hastings, Bognor Regis, and Worthing JCPs. We are an Approved Supplier on DWP’s Dynamic Purchasing System for Work-Focused Activities.
“The improvement in confidence is amazing. One guy never talked to anyone, except his wife before, and the way he spoke to the audience was incredible.” (A Work Coach)
Our approach is wonderfully innovative. It helps people: develop confidence; practice working as part of a team; and become more motivated. And the left-field medium we use – a tuned percussion orchestra from Indonesia – is accessible, levelling and playable by complete beginners.
”My new thing since gamelan is to say yes. I have fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalitis, which cause chronic pain and a host of other symptoms. I get anxious travelling further than my local town, experiencing new things and meeting new people. The gamelan course allowed me to overcome my fears. It helped me feel good about my abilities, instead of feeling useless. Since then I plan to do a Reiki course and have re-joined the local library, both of which are enormous steps for me.” (A participant)
But this isn’t really a music project; it’s about team-building and confidence-building. We use music as a way of connecting with people on a deep, meaningful level, and of supporting them to start seeing themselves with more positive self-identities. Then through creative activities, reflective conversations, and the putting on of a concert on the final day, we help participants to develop a range of transferable life and work skills.
“It was a very positive visit, with much evidence shown by participants of distance travelled towards the labour market.” (District Provision Manager)
Read more about some of our projects with long-term unemployed JCP customers here: Supplier Service Offer FactsheetV2.0. And why not get in touch with our Executive Director for a further discussion?
