About Us: News

Future Jobs Fund celebration
Wednesday 19th May marked a very special day for everyone involved in the Future Jobs Fund employment programme; a national programme aimed to create new employment opportunities for young people.

An event held in honour of celebrating over 200 young people into employment was held at the St. Lawrence Centre located along Dial Lane in Ipswich town centre. Whitehouse Enterprises provided all guests with soft drinks and a range of homemade cakes. Certificates were also handed to those employees that had taken part on the scheme to celebrate their achievement.

Invited guests to this event included all 205 employees and their line managers as well as the Job Centre Plus team and Councillor Graham Newman who is the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young people.

Jordan Cook who is employed by Whitehouse Enterprises on the Future Jobs Fund programme has been nominated for Young Recruit of the Year by Job Centre Plus. During his time working as a marketing assistant he has produced leaflets, attended a number of exhibitions and handled general marketing enquiries.

ISSBA Exhibition 2010
On the 28th April 2010 Whitehouse enterprises attended the ISSBA exhibition (Ipswich and Suffolk Small Business Association) at Trinity Park. Members from Whitehouse Enterprises marketing team attended the event, including Amy Hazelton, Jordan cook and Adam Jassat.

Two members of the marketing team are currently on the Future Jobs Fund scheme (Jordan cook and Adam Jassat) and they have been acquiring a variety of skills and valuable experiences by attending such events like ISSBA.

Whitehouse Enterprises marketing team put on an implausible stand at the ISSBA exhibition; including a large selection of sweet and savoury canapés. The food was made and prepared by the catering staff at Whitehouse Enterprises who did a wonderful job. The food proved to be very popular with the stand visitors and the concept seized people’s attention. In conjunction with the canapés there was also a ‘Masterchef’ style competition for visitors to take part in.

Jordan attended his first exhibition earlier this year at the “Backing young Britain” road show which was held Ipswich Town Football Club. Jordan thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and the experience made him even more ambitious to attend another exhibition so he could put the skills he had obtained into practice.

In July 2010 there is an awards ceremony being hosted by Job centre Plus. Jordan Cook from Whitehouse Enterprises has been short listed for the award of “Young recruit of the year”. Jordan was tremendously elated when he heard he had been short listed for the award and felt that winning the award would be a great honor and would help him to a great extent on achieving his career goals. In addition to this Whitehouse Enterprises is also up for Employer of the year award.

Sachdeep Signh - Good News Story
Sachdeep came to Whitehouse on Work Preparation to have her skills assessed. She had previously only done some administration work for her uncle’s business and had not had any proper work experience as she found it difficult getting interviews due to her profound deafness. Sachdeep completed training in the packaging, assembly, cleaning and catering areas.

She was successful in completing this programme which resulted in her being taken on the Workstep programme in June 2007 working in Catering and cleaning. Sachdeep made excellent progress in cleaning and the canteen. She preferred the catering work and with new cafes opening and extra work it was agreed that she would work full time in catering.

Sachdeep completed some training in the Sign Making department as she enjoyed working on computers and it was agreed that she could work there on Friday's when the workload in the canteen was less. Sachdeep picked up the work well in signs and really enjoyed all the tasks.

Sachdeeps hours have been increased in the canteen due to the opening of the St Lawrence Café. She now works 37 hours per week on average with some shifts at St Lawrence. She is getting on well at St Lawrence and enjoys the work completing food preparation, baking, cooking etc.

Sachdeep communicates well with colleagues and uses BSL where possible. She writes things down if necessary and is currently helping train other staff members on basic sign language. Sachdeep passed her Food Safety in Catering Level 2 in November 2007 with the support of Whitehouse. She started an NVQ in Catering late 2008 and completed it in November 2009.

Sachdeep was taken onto a permanent contract and progressed from the support of Workstep in June 2009 and has now sustained her progression. She is a well like member of the catering team with excellent cooking skills. She is flexible and reliable and gets on well with all staff. She joins in with some of the social events and enjoys socializing with her friends at work.

Nathan- Success Story
Nathan came for an informal visit in Feb 2008 as he was currently at Suffolk College doing an NVQ Level 2 in Catering & Hospitality. Nathan knew that w/e were looking for catering staff for the opening of the new catering venture at St Lawrence Centre in Ipswich town centre as his brother already worked in the canteen. He was keen to find work as soon as he finished college.

Nathan started a 6 week work preparation, fitting around the two days that he was still at college, in Mar 2008 working firstly in w/e canteen and then at St Lawrence café before it opened. Nathan’s skills in catering and customer service were obvious and he was taken onto paid employment with the support of Workstep working full time at the café in order for him to further his training.

Nathan was given the objective of training to become a Keyworker as his catering skills were of a good level and he had previous experience of teaching people with learning difficulties catering skills at a voluntary placement with 4YP. Nathan was promoted to keyworker in July 2008. He now supervisors at Café Libra in Felixstowe on occasions and is involved in external catering and buffets at w/e as well as continuing to work at the St Lawrence Centre.

Nathan has had further training in First Aid and as a Fire Marshall and is awaiting a British Sign Language course as he would like to be able to communicate better with a deaf colleague. Nathan has also enrolled in Adult Literacy classes as he expressed an interest in progressing to a cooks role in the future but has some difficulties with literacy.

Nathan is a bubbly, confident young man who is well liked by all staff and customers. He enjoys the various social group outings and events and rarely misses the opportunity to join in. Nathan has made a lot of friends whom he sees outside of work and has helped organise go-karting for some of the catering team.

Nathan has lived in supported housing since he left full time care at the age of 16. He is now 20 and felt confident and financially able to move out of the supported environment and into a privately rented flat. He had some furniture etc from staff and help to redecorate and renovate his flat.

Mark Gamston - Good News Story
Mark was referred to Whitehouse Enterprise in Aug 2007 to undertake a 6 week Work Preparation programme. Mark had been assessed for ASD at the age 18 however the diagnoses was that he did not have it. It was felt that his lack of confidence due to his speech impediment was the cause of him displaying symptoms of Aspersers.

Previously Mark had attended a painting and decorating course at Suffolk College. He then went on to do an apprenticeship with Cardinal Decorators but left as he felt intimidated by the male colleagues. Mark then worked voluntarily for 3 years in a Sense Charity shop sorting clothes, till work, serving customers and delivering/collecting charity bags.

Mark’s tasks at Whitehouse involved delivering, stocking, cleaning and sorting out vending machines at Claydon and Newmarket sites. He was good at the task’s he completed however Mark was still very introvert and did not mix much at work with other team members.

In November 2007 Mark was offered a 6 month contract of employment working in Catering. Mark passed his food hygiene certificate in Feb 2008 with support from Whitehouse. He continued to do the vending machine deliveries and on his return to Whitehouse would work in the Canteen. Here he was shown some basic catering and gradually Marks confidence was growing.

When the vending machine contract finished in June 2008 Mark was given the choice of continuing his training in catering or working in the factory. He chose to continue his catering training and was quick to learn food preparation, till operation and other catering tasks. Mark serves customers at St Lawrence Café and the Whitehouse Canteen where he demonstrates good customer service skills. Mark passed his Food Safety in Catering Level 2 in February 2008. He started an NVQ level 2 in Catering late 2008 and has now almost completed this.

Marks hours were increased to full time in July 2008 in order for him to be able to work both at the St Lawrence Centre café and the Whitehouse canteen. He was promoted to Keyworker in March 2009 as he demonstrated excellent skills in catering and was able to oversee the cafes with very little supervision. Mark now also oversees the café at the Felixstowe library and covers for the cooks on some shifts.

Mark had to be encouraged to attend social functions initially but now enjoys socialising with staff. His confidence and social skills have grown immensely; his mother had previously stated he had no social life. Mark now gets on well with all staff members and he continues to be a valuable and flexible employee.

Mark was made permanent in July 2009 following his progression from the Workstep programme and has now sustained his progression as of January 2010.

Paul Pester - Good News Story
Paul last worked for Countryside Show Jumps making horse jumping stands. Paul had a 2 year break from work after suffering health problems with Arthritis in his neck, back, wrists and an embolism in his leg.

Paul was referred to Whitehouse on the Work Preparation programme in April 2008 to assess his ability to return to work. During this time he trained on the assembling of various garden benches. Paul successfully completed the programme. His previous knowledge and experience as a Milling Machine Operator were evident and Paul was taken on the Workstep programme to receive ongoing support in May 2008. It was evident that Paul was able to manage his disability when completing the physical tasks with the support of other team members. With the expansion of the Bench Making and increased sales Paul became a key member of the team working on new projects and plans. He was made permanent following his progression from Workstep in July 2009. He has sustained his progression as of January 2010.

Paul enjoys all the tasks that he completes and is very happy with his role. Paul actively helps with the making of proto types for new designs with the assistance of other team members. These range from garden benches, picnic benches, outdoor play equipment and outdoor classrooms. The latest project was a fort play area with a slide.

Paul gets on well with all colleagues and is a reliable, flexible and enthusiastic member of staff.

Chris Stocks - Good News Story
Chris had not worked for 12 years due to back problems and was keen to return to work. His last job was Packing at Ipswich Docks for 4 years from 1990 – 1994. Chris was referred to Whitehouse Enterprises for a Work Preparation programme to assess his ability to return to work. Chris successfully completed the programme and was taken on to the Workstep programme in January 2007.

It soon became apparent that Chris had the ability to work on a wide range of Assembling and Packing tasks. He also demonstrated he had the ability to train fellow workers in a friendly and helpful manner. Management was very pleased with Chris’s development and in 2007 Chris was made up to a Key Worker position that he really enjoys.

Chris mainly works in the Curtain Rod assembling section. This is an area he helped to re-organise in order to achieve maximum efficiency and create a more ergonomic working space. Chris now trains fellow workers and Work Preparation clients in all areas. He enjoys all the tasks that he completes and does not let his back problem interfere with his work. When production needs require Chris is always willing to do extra hours and work in other sections. He is now also helping out in the catering section at weekends in the new café that has opened in Gainsborough Library. Chris will have formal catering training in order to be able to be fully competent in this role.

Chris was extended beyond his 2 year contract and is now a permanent member of staff having progressed from the support of Workstep in May 2009 and consequently sustaining his progression in November 2009. He enjoys his work immensely and gets satisfaction when helping others to achieve their potential.

Chris is a well liked member of staff with an excellent sense of humour who gets on well with all staff and managers. He regularly attends social functions and in particular enjoys the Christmas party where he has won the fancy dress competition two years in a row.

Richard Brown - Good News Story
Richard had been on other Job Centre Plus programme’s at various sites before being referred to Whitehouse Enterprise in June 2007 on the Work Preparation programme. Richard’s training was mainly external maintenance, signs and bench fitting. He also completed training in deliveries as a driver’s assistant.

Richard suffered with severe lack of confidence due to health issues and long periods out of work. He was anxious about driving delivery vehicles and would not drive to work in a car preferring to come the long distance by train. With the support of Whitehouse Richard's confidence was built by going out on deliveries with other drivers and practice sessions in the car park until he felt ready to drive a few small journeys with support.

He gradually built up his driving skills and now drives to and from work in his car. He also drives all vehicles confidently at work to the various locations delivering goods. Richard also really enjoys the bench manufacture and fitting. When required he does maintenance work around the factory and is a very flexible member of staff.

Richard progressed from the support of Workstep in May 2009 and has consequently sustained his progression in November 2009.

Richard enjoys his work and is very happy with the variety of his current role.

St. Lawrence Centre café celebrates its first anniversary with style
Thursday 7^th May marked the first anniversary of the St. Lawrence Centre café in Ipswich’s town centre. The St. Lawrence centre is situated in dial lane between Tavern Street and the Buttermarket and is one of Ipswich’s newest and most exciting venues in the town.

In the year that the café has been opened, it has gone from strength to strength; this could not have been achieved without the continued support from the community and customers. It is with this support and dedication from staff that it will remain one of Ipswich’s success stories.

The St. Lawrence centre café offers its visitors a delightful choice of teas, coffees and bistro lunches in its recently restored grounds. The building is grade 2 listed and retains many of the original features of the beautiful medieval church it once was but has been cleverly modernised to make it vibrant, practical and charming. The St. Lawrence centre and has recently extended its opening hours to meet with customers demands.

The food in the café is provided by ‘Created 4 You’ part of Whitehouse Enterprises, and during its anniversary month of May there will be a number of special offers on food and drink.

John Abbott - Good News Story
John had been out of work for 7 months since being made redundant at British Sugar Beet where he had worked for 20 years when he was referred to us by Nikki Allen, DEA.

John has a hearing impairment which makes him very nervous about meeting and communicating with new people and going to interviews. He has Tinnitus which affects his hearing in particular when there is a lot of background noise.

John was looking for work that was physical as he likes to keep active. He was interested in the handyman/delivery position.

John had a 6 week work preparation programme commencing in Sept 2005. During this time he helped with the general maintenance and deliveries. He was nervous about doing deliveries alone at first due to his hearing impairment so was accompanied by other staff initially. John gradually built his confidence in this area and did some deliveries to familiar places/routes etc alone.

John continued in this role and took on more deliveries with the expansion of the catering department. He was also involved in the delivery and installation of the garden furniture which was a new venture started in 2007.

John is very helpful and always willing to give 110% at all tasks. He enjoys work immensely and is always happy in his work. John was been extended beyond his 2 year contract and progressed from the support of Workstep on 04/07/08.

John continues to be a valuable, efficient and flexible employee. He enjoys the social events organized and attends all trips to London, Bowling, Newmarket Races etc.

Jane Shreeve - Good News Story
Jane who is a wheelchair user, is a person who has always had a real desire and ability to work, but found it difficult to secure permanent employment in the past. At the age of 24 she had been working for the Tax Office for 2 years on a temporary basis. She tried desperately to get a permanent job, but was never successful. So she set about finding permanent work elsewhere and pursued the Assistant Director of Waveney Social Services, asking if there were any jobs available. One day she got a phone call asking her to fill out an application for a Clerk/Typist position at John Turner House in Lowestoft. She attended an interview and with the help of the ‘Sheltered Placement Scheme’ managed by Whitehouse Enterprises she was offered the position.

20 years on Jane is still happily employed at John Turner House, is now a Resource Administrator and has recently gained her European Computer Driving Licence. She is fully involved in the daily life of John Turner House and is a key member of staff, being essential to the smooth operation of the service. In recognition of her success in this role, Jane has now also progressed to unsupported employment with the Council.

Well done Jane and congratulations on achieving 20 years employment!

We would also like to thank the staff of John Turner House (past and present) for the support they have given to Jane over the years.

St Lawrence Centre
St Lawrence Church a Grade 2* listed medieval church in the centre of Ipswich has been restored into a 21st century community facility for the people of Ipswich.

Ipswich Borough Council is working with Whitehouse Enterprises to operate a social enterprise café Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and 10 to 2pm on Saturdays. The café will offer employment opportunities to people with learning and physical disabilities.

A variety of groups are looking to use the facility, which will meet the needs of a wide and diverse Ipswich community and still provide a central place to meet, sit down and have a cup of tea! The Council has been working closely with Age Concern Suffolk in order to try to ensure that the needs of older people are catered for.

The centre will be open from 10am Wednesday 7th May 2008.

Karleen Gurr – Success Story
Following 6 months off work due to the removal of a brain tumour (her second in a year), Karleen was desperate to return to her job as a Fast Food Assistant at Popeyes, a restaurant based within RAF Lakenheath. Unfortunately the effects of the operation meant that Karleen had to re-learn a lot of everyday things, as well as the new procedures implemented at work whilst she had been away.

Karleen was referred to Whitehouse Enterprises for a Work Preparation programme, to assess her ability to return to work. Whitehouse worked closely with both Popeyes and Icanho Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, who were helping Karleen with occupational and speech therapy following her operation. After 12 weeks slowly building up her stamina and re-learning her everyday tasks, Karleen was able to return to work supported by the Workstep Programme.

Over the following three years Karleen continued to go from strength to strength. You would never know that she had suffered such severe effects from the removal of 2 brain tumours, not to mention her Diabetes and Leukaemia treatment when she was a child! In January 2007 Karleen progressed from the Workstep programme and has remained unsupported ever since.

We would like to congratulate Karleen on her incredible achievement and thank Linda and all the staff at Popeyes for providing such a supportive environment.

Karleen Gurr - Success Story

Simon Gardiner
Simon, 20, is a catering assistant at Whitehouse Enterprises in Ipswich

Simon says: “Ever since I was small I’ve been interested in cooking and used to help prepare food for the family. I knew I wanted to work in catering. I really couldn’t see myself doing anything different.”

Simon, who has mild learning difficulties, went to Westbourne High School in Ipswich. At the age of 14 he opted to spend two days a week at Suffolk College learning about catering. At 16 he moved to the college full time and gained an NVQ1 and NVQ2. While a college Simon did a work placement at Ipswich Town Football Club as part of their food preparation team. This boosted his confidence by giving him experience in a different catering environment.

Simon’s next step was to meet with the Disability Advisor at Jobcentre Plus. She suggested he try a catering Taster Day at Whitehouse Enterprises (a Social Enterprise supporting disabled people to move into employment) and he has never looked back! He enjoyed the catering Taster Day so much he joined their six-week work preparation programme so that his skills could be fully assessed. As a result Simon was offered paid employment in their catering department, Created 4 You Catering.

Simon’s duties include preparing sandwiches for commercial vending machines, preparing buffets for outside catering and preparing food - ranging from baguettes to full dinners - for their canteen. In addition he helps with keeping the kitchen spotless and with ordering stock.

Simon says: “I enjoy the work at Whitehouse. The people are friendly and helpful and the work is interesting. I’m never bored.”

There is a good social scene at Whitehouse too with opportunities to try bowling, go-carting, horse racing at Newmarket and other activities. There are even visits to London.

”There are lots of chances to try new things. I like earning my own money because it means I can do the things I want.”

In addition to employment Simon leads a busy life. He does voluntary work with the 4YP drop-in centre in Ipswich, helping a professional chef teach young people to cook. Plus he is a keen sportsman, running with the Ipswich Harriers and training at the Northgate track several times a week. Simon competes in cross-country competitions and also in the triple jump.

Simon isn’t sure yet what the next step will be after working at Whitehouse. It is likely he will continue on Workstep, the government programme that supports disabled people in their jobs so that they can work effectively and continue to develop in their roles.

This case study was produced by the Suffolk Education Business Partnership as part of the Informing Choices European Social Fund project.

Creative sign solutions moves in the right direction
November 2007 saw the relocation of Creative sign solutions to a spacious new studio and workshop environment where Paul Baldwin and his dedicated team promote their ethos of design through to installation.

The new location offers flexibility and combined with the integration of high specification Mac & PC based design stations along with the existing machinery they are able deliver a definitive approach to signage.

Doug Catlin – Success Story

Doug Catlin – Success Story
In December 2002 at 48 years of age, Doug was happily working as a Chief Security Guard following a long and varied career in the Army. Then on Christmas Day whilst Doug was working, he suffered a severe stroke. Although he successfully overcame the worst effects of the stroke with the help of Icanho Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in Stowmarket, he was not able to return to his job or take on other work of a similar kind.