HUNDREDS of unemployed people across Radcliffe are set to benefit from the launch of a new initiative.

A job club is being set up to offer support and practical advice to people who are out of work, and the organisers behind the scheme have ambitious plans to help hundreds of people into employment.

Volunteers at St Andrew’s Church have undergone specialist training with charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to provide the service.

CAP provides debt counselling, money management, job clubs and support for people breaking addictions.

The new weekly club, based at the ROC Centre in Westminster Avenue, will offer eight-week courses to provide jobseekers with essential skills, such as CV writing, interview techniques and volunteering.

Julie Macauley, Radcliffe’s CAP Job Club Manager, said: “We really wanted to make a practical contribution to the community and we thought a job club would be the best way.

“Everyone who comes on the course, whether you’ve been out of work for a while, or you want to change jobs but aren’t sure how to start, this course is for you."

The Radcliffe job club is one of more than 180 in the UK that helped almost 1,000 people find work in 2017.

At the heart of the course is a supportive peer-to-peer group where course members can share their experiences, struggles and advice.

In addition, each participant is given one-to-one coaching to develop their strengths and identify other opportunities, such as volunteering or training.

Bury Council leader Rishi Shori, who is also Radcliffe West ward councillor, welcomed the new job club.

He said: "This is fantastic news for Radcliffe and I wish the group the best of luck with their ambitions to help more people into work.

"We really welcome this initiative and I will be looking to support it in my role as council leader."

Mrs Macauley added: "Our job club is a warm, friendly and relaxed environment; come and let us help you take your first steps into employment and a job you will enjoy."

The weekly club will start on Wednesday, May 8, at 7pm, at the ROC Centre.

Each session will include a hot meal and there will also be a kids club for children of job club members who are aged five to 13.

Rev Joanne McKee said: "It's really exciting that we’re able to set up this CAP Job Club on the Coronation Road estate. We couldn’t have started this club without a generous gift from Turley planning and development consultancy firm, which will cover the running of the course, and we are most grateful for this. We are hoping that others will come forward and help us finance this much needed club.

"It’s a great way of investing in our community and beyond."