Whitchurch Jobcentre will be offering advice sessions to help lone parents and people with health problems who are considering returning to work. The sessions will be held at Wem Library and Learning Centre in the High Street on the first Monday of every month from Monday 4th July 2005 between 9.30am to 12.00pm.

Jobcentre Plus is holding the advice sessions to enable local residents to find out more about the range of services available to help them back to work or into suitable training.

Vi Price, disability employment adviser at Whitchurch Jobcentre Plus, said:

“Jobcentre Plus specialist advisers will be on hand at the sessions to offer people expert support and guidance in finding and keeping a job if they have a health problem that affects the work they can do. We will also be able to offer one to one help to single parents considering returning to work.

“We have several employment programmes especially designed to help people overcome or remove the barriers they face when looking for a job. The programmes offer a wide range of assistance, including specialist equipment for the workplace or fares to work for people who cannot use public transport.

“We can also help with issues such as childcare arrangements. There will be an opportunity to have a confidential chat on a one to one basis to discuss their individual situation without obligation.”

There will be the opportunity to receive advice on in work benefits and other financial incentives that may be available when starting work.

People who are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit may also be able to do some approved part-time work without their benefits being affected or as much voluntary work as they like. Further information will be available at the advice sessions.

Anyone interested in attending the sessions should call into Wem Library on the first Monday of every month as from 4th July 2005. People wanting further information can contact Vi Price at Whitchurch Jobcentre Plus on telephone number 01948 622908.