A case study we just provided to Sparks:
Homelessness charity, The Society of St James has been providing food, shelter and support to homeless people in Southampton since 1972. In 2003, senior housing manager, Della Cunio became aware that many of the residents were struggling with low self esteem and confidence and were becoming isolated. To combat this, she decided to start a ‘work project’ where residents could learn and train, and in doing so begin to build confidence and break isolation.
Residents of the organisation were consulted on the idea, and one resident in particular, John Smith, was already known to staff as a keen computer hobbyist. The consultation showed that a computer project would be welcomed and John was invited on board to help get the ball rolling. Subsequently Jamie’s Computers was born.
Initially the project was reliant on funding and the focus was very much on learning and training. The project took a few donated PCs and a workshop was started for clients to learn how to refurbish the computers, which they then used to word process and play games. But what soon occurred to the staff involved, was the potential Jamie’s had to grow the refurbishment operation into a commercial enterprise that would not only provide a host of work-based-training opportunities, but also the income needed to run the project. And this is the direction that the project took.
Now, Jamie’s is a fully functioning computer disposal business that provides solutions to more than 400 businesses disposing of IT, and more than 4,000 homes. Numerous individuals have purchased low cost refurbished PCs and Jamie’s also works in partnership with Computer Aid International to provide computers to developing countries. John has been on this journey with Jamie’s.
When John first started with Jamie’s he was a resident in one of The Society of St James’ shared houses. He was overcoming alcohol issues and Jamie’s Computers provided John with somewhere to be during the day, where he could make a meaningful contribution. John volunteered a number of days of week and was in fact instrumental in setting up the first refurbishment workshop. John mentored others, teaching them how to repair PCs, demonstrating the confidence he felt at the project.
In 2004 Jamie’s received funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s, Community Recycling and Economic Development (CRED) Program, which in part allowed Jamie’s to take on paid work placements. John was an obvious choice and started a 3 day-a-week placement on a temporary basis. The fund also allowed for Jamie’s to move into permanent premises and John helped to move the project into its new 8,000 square foot warehouse and set up the commercial workshop. For a while, John was the only paid worker in the workshop and he worked with managers at the project to put in procedures that would see hundreds of tonnes of IT processed over the years following.
In 2006 John’s post was made permanent and he officially joined the staff team. He was also given the opportunity to develop his training skills, later becoming a Trainer and teaching a wide range of courses including Health & Safety, Build Your Own PC (delivered to excluded school children alongside other staff) and Digital Photography.
John is no longer with Jamie’s – he moved on in 2008, but his story shows a triumph against the odds, and reminds us all of what is possible if we provide the right help.
*Name has been changed to protect identity.
