John White ‘On Your Way’ Job Club: Going the Extra Mile
Searching for a job can be a challenging process that requires determination and courage, and for many, support and guidance as well.
John White is someone who not only helps and supports people to access work, but in addition, he possesses a broad understanding of the many and multiple barriers to getting – or keeping – a job.
“I get people into work like no one else does” he explained, when we met at the community job fair he organised at The Bevy last year.
John spoke about the number of clients he’s helped to access work, some with mental health support needs, some without English as a first language, and those impacted by unsuitable housing, little or no work experience and employment gaps.
“I look at the person in front of me, we talk about what’s stopping them from going to work, then we talk about what they want to do and how can they can get there.Then I get them into work.”
For almost a decade, John has been committed to encouraging an optimistic outlook on people’s situations and helping job seekers to gain the confidence needed to continue their search.
John spoke about how he worked for the Civil Service for 20 years as a lone parent advisor, but after major brain surgery, he needed to leave his job.
After moving from London to Brighton, John wanted to start supporting his community.
“I wanted to start helping people find work, knew from working in the civil service there were people who ‘just get left’ – the people who aren’t helped by others.”
He set up ‘On Your Way’ with support from the Resource Centre and, over the years, with grants from East Brighton Trust and the council among others.
John offers support with writing CVs, career advice and benefit advice, referring people on to other organisations when they need additional support with benefits.
John spoke about a client he recently helped, with dyslexia, who needed support with writing their CV, and how they now have a job as a cleaner.
Also a family of five who were all unemployed until they met with John, and who all now have a job.
The success of ‘On Your Way’ comes from John’s genuine compassion, and that he helps people without judgement.
He told East Brighton Trust about how his desire to help and support others has also been driven by the deprivation and isolation he experienced as a child, and his lived experience of homelessness.
His passion for helping people who are experiencing additional barriers to employment shines through in every conversation.
John volunteers his time to help people find work three times a week, at Moulsecoomb Library on a Monday, Bevendean Foodbank on a Wednesday and The Bevy on a Friday.
He’s also organising another job fair which will be held in July of this year, and he hopes that ‘On Your Way’ will become a charity in the future.
“The most important thing is word of mouth, and that’s grown now.”
This is reflected by the abundance of referrals that John receives from mental health services, GPs and hospitals all over Sussex and even from London.
“I see people around who thank me for helping them, and I don’t always recognise them because they look better, more empowered.”
Feedback from one of John’s clients was simply a smile and referring to him as ‘a legend’, and it sounds like it goes without saying that they are absolutely right.
Find out more about On Your Way here.