Latest news with #JobsFirst
STV News
03-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
'I was left homeless at 16 - now I have a job, a daughter and a future'
A young dad who was left homeless at 16 after drugs caused a rift with his parents has since turned his life around. Michael McPhee cycled through a number of temporary jobs trying to make ends meet until, on his 17th birthday, he found out he was to become a father for the first time. With fatherhood on the horizon, Michael focused on finding stable work to support his daughter – but his personal circumstances made it difficult to secure steady, suitable employment. Without a fixed address, he couldn't provide the documentation needed for formal, full-time work, so he relied on couch surfing and cash-in-hand jobs to get by. Michael, now 23, told STV News: 'As soon as you were in the job, there was no support. 'There was little to no security in the jobs I had and because of this I was always left uncertain about my future within organisations, and where I would be left when it ended. 'I was fighting an uphill battle to work. I was under-valued and felt completely helpless and alone, especially when challenges arose within the organisation. 'The programmes which helped me get the roles washed their hands of me as soon as I started.' After a year of unemployment, Michael joined Social Bite's Jobs First programme for six months. He is now working in a front-of-house role at Mitchells and Butlers' Harvester in Glasgow. STV News Michael now works front-of-house at a Harvester restaurant in Glasgow Since landing the role, Michael feels valued, happy and in control of his life for the first time. 'From the get-go, I have had loads of support not only finding a job but adapting to my new routine and developing the necessarily skills,' he said. 'I've been loving my role at Harvester and have been named employee of the month in recognition of my customer service abilities.' The Jobs First scheme that helped Michael is an innovative employment initiative supporting individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Different to other employment programmes, it provides support to both the employee and employer helping them both balance the challenges that arise. Marzena Farana-Sherlock is director of social impact at Social Bite. She said: 'This systemic issue needs to change, so at Social Bite, we took action to break this cycle in a sustainable way. 'Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, we are already witnessing remarkable outcomes that benefit all stakeholders and the UK economy.' STV News Social Bite's social impact director Marzena Farana-Sherlock Jobs First's primary goal is to support people who have experienced homelessness into real job opportunities and to increase the opportunities available to them within the job market. However, an independent evaluation by the University of Edinburgh has highlighted the additional social and economic benefits the programme has. It found that every £1 invested in Social Bite's Jobs First programme yields an estimated £3 worth of social benefits. It also said the programme enhances UK public finances by at least £0.71 per £1 investment Almost 100 people and ten employers are now working with the Jobs First programme. For Michael however, beyond the pounds and pence of wages, the benefits have been much more significant. 'I finally feel secure, and it's been a huge relief to know I can not only provide for myself but my daughter,' he said. 'For the first time since I left home, my fridge is always full, and I have the financial freedom to finally focus on myself, my happiness and that of my daughter.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scotland charities urged to apply for funding from leading train operator
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced that its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) to support community initiatives across the CrossCountry network is now open for applications. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Train operator announces its annual Customer and Communities Improvement Fund worth £100,000 CrossCountry welcomes projects that reduce pollution, protect the environment, support sustainable community growth, and create a positive impact for our employees and wider society The funding window is open from Tuesday 6 May until Friday 6 June 2025. The refreshed grant scheme will open at intervals throughout the year – with the summer application period window open from Tuesday 6 May and Friday 6 June. A total of £100,000 has been made available throughout the year for community projects that deliver tangible social and environmental benefits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Colleagues from Cross Country and Social Bite Candice Dos Santos Hodgson, Project Manager at CrossCountry, said:'We're excited to launch the next Customer and Communities Improvement Fund and can't wait to see what applications come in from communities across the country. 'We'd be delighted to hear from projects and groups looking to improve the communities served by the CrossCountry network, especially with an emphasis on social value and sustainability – if this sounds like you, please visit our website to apply.' Since 1 April 2022, the Customer and Communities Improvement Fund has supported 30 different initiatives across the country, to a total value of over £550,000. This includes a £17,000 donation to social enterprise Social Bite's Jobs First programme in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Marzena Farana-Sherlock, Director of Social Impact at Social Bite, said: 'The generous funding from CrossCountry will allow us to continue supporting individuals affected by homelessness into jobs, which can be truly life-changing. By working closely with employers and partners, we aim to create a long-term, systemic shift in how people with a background of homelessness access and sustain employment.' Applications to the fund can be made through an easy-to-complete online form. To find out more and to apply to the Fund, visit For the first time this year, additional funding will be delivered by CrossCountry through its Biodiversity Improvements Projects (BIP) fund, which will support projects on and around the rail network that enhance biodiversity, improve access to nature and help the railway adapt to the changing climate. Applications to the BIP fund for this year can be made at
