Information Advice and Guidance

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) is designed to help individuals overcome barriers to learning, training and employment and to support them to make well informed and realistic decisions to help them to achieve their goals. IAG is the provision of up-to-date, accurate and objective information about learning and career opportunities, progression routes and choices.

Old Ford offer a free, matrix accredited Information Advice and Guidance service to Tower Hamlets residents delivered by qualified staff at two of our facility centres in Bow. Please click here (2.6 MB) to download our Information Advice and Guidance leaflet

Please click on the photos below to open the photo gallery:

We provide free information,advice and guidance on accessing education,training and employment. Our service is open to all those that live, work and study in Tower Hamlets regardless of your benefit status or your educational or work background. If you would like support on achieving an educational or employment related goal then we can help you do this no matter what it is that you want to do.

Our Services - what we can offer you

We are open Monday to Friday from 10am - 4pm and closed between 1pm - 2pm for lunch. Our services include:

Supporting you to write a professional and targeted CV
Helping you to write application forms that will increase your chances of being shortlisted
Support with personal statements for university applications
Looking at ways in which you can access funding for work or educational activities
Practicing interview techniques - how to get over nerves and deal with difficult questions
Supported job search with the use of our IT facilities and free internet access
Free printing of job related materials such as job adverts or CV’s
Use of our telephones to contact employers or colleges
Up-to-date information on the labour market and sector specific information
Information about courses offered by universities and colleges
'Better off Calculations' - use of our benefits calculator
Financial advice on how to manage your money as well as financial services information
Referrals to other organisations for housing or legal advice

What you can expect from us

A client centred approach
Impartial service
To be treated equally and fairly irrespective of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability
All personal information provided to us by you to be treated in a strictly confidential manner and not passed on to anyone else without your permission
If we are unable to assist you with any issues you might have then we will always refer you to an organisation that can

Current specialist training programmes

Start Your Own Business

This course starts on 20th October and lasts for 10 sessions. The course runs most Thursdays at Eastside Youth and Community Centre, from 10am-4pm. Led by Paul Funnell from the Aspire Foundation, the course covers a number of topics related to starting up your own business including sales and marketing, company names, red tape, market research, book keeping and more. To find out more contact Rosie Hewson, Training and Employment Manager at Old Ford, on 0203 583 1554 or email Rosie.Hewson@circle.org.uk. To find out more about the Aspire Foundation click here (2.3 MB).

________________________________________________________________________________________

More help finding work:

Please click here for tips on how to create a good CV and for useful links related to job search.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact us

To find out more about our Information, Advice and Guidance Centre, please contact:

Leena Parmar, Information, Advice and Guidance Manager:020 8981 3298 | Leena.Parmar@circle.org.uk
Justin Brett, Information, Advice and Guidance Officer:020 8981 3298 | Justin.Brett@circle.org.uk

Where to find us:

Main IAG Centre: Eastside Youth and Community Centre, 6 Parnell Road, Bow, E3 2RB | tel:020 8981 3298 or 020 8981 1036 | adviceandguidance@circle.org.uk

________________________________________________________________________________________

How you can get involved in shaping the service

We deliver our service with you in mind. Without your feedback we might be unable to offer the kind of help that you really need, so it’s important for you to let us know if there are ways in which we can improve or ways in which you think we can help.

We have a Focus Group of clients and stakeholders who meet at least three times a year to discuss our services, if you would like to take part in this or if you want to give general feedback please contact Rosie Hewson, Employment and Training Manager, on 0203 583 1554 or email Rosie.Hewson@circle.org.uk
________________________________________________________________________________________

Case Study

Old Ford’s Information, Advice & Guidance Service Guides Justina into employment

Justina had been unemployed for five months since being made redundant. In the past she held roles predominately in the health care sector, helping other people to become more independent. Since becoming unemployed Justina became frustrated and despondent and despite having a strong career history her job applications were unsuccessful.

She also felt that being in her late forties her age made it more difficult for her to get work. Feeling in need of advice and guidance to take up a voluntary work vacancy, Justina was referred to Old Ford's Information Advice and Guidance service.

Old Ford's IAG advisors worked with Justina on a number of objectives she had set including updating and improving the presentation of her CV, prioritising meaningful work choices, assisting with an application for a voluntary role, advising on interviews and working on her motivation.

Since using the service Justina has become more aware of how to accentuate and make the most of her skills, talents, and accomplishments. Her CV was improved and streamlined and after receiving advice on other methods to attain work Justina was more hopeful about successfully re-entering the workforce. Justina was able to access a voluntary role with Old Ford Housing Association repairs team through the IAG service contacts and with the ongoing support from the IAG advisors, Justina was able to sustain employment as Care Coordinator.

This support has helped her with personal issues in her life and has helped her maintain financial stability. Justina said "I was not aware of the many things I could do to improve my job chances before speaking with [her IAG advisor]"
________________________________________________________________________________________

_{Information, Advice and Guidance is part of Old Ford’s Training, Employment and Enterprise team which deliver a comprehensive programme of opportunities to engage the local community in training, education, employment and enterprise.}

_{For more information please contact Rosie Hewson, Training and Employment Manager on 0203 583 1554 or email Rosie.Hewson@circle.org.uk}
________________________________________________________________________________________

matrix logo