Journey2Work is an employment service for Cumbria, offering FREE advice and training to help job seekers. It is available to anyone aged 16 and above including those looking to return to work.
Our programmes of activity
Qualifications and Learning
R2W offers a number of different options for young people to develop & learn skills all of which are designed to help with finding and maintaining employment as well as supporting independence.
Social enterprise work experience
Many potential job seekers use a number of areas such as traditional day services, some attend job centres or receive support from health & social care agencies.
Working with Employers
We work with a number of local businesses who have committed to actions that will create opportunities for disabled people who wish to work and improve their lives.
Supported Internships
A structured programme aimed at 16-24 year olds who have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and want to move into employment, but need support.
Building Better Opportunities
Are you hoping to get a job or get back to work but are not sure where to start or what to do? Do you want to improve your wellbeing but are not sure how? We can help you feel better about yourself and improve your confidence.
Meet the Right2Work Team!
Pete Bradbury
Regional Manager
Peter has worked and managed Employment Services since 1998 and managed the successful development of The Furniture Warehouse since 2013. A former senior manager of Royal Mencap’s employment and educations services with responsibility for quality and business development.
Peter has been involved in both regional and national service development including DWP, Ofsted, FE colleges and Cumbria & Lancashire County Councils initiatives. He is passionate about providing integrated and personalised work solutions for local people and Employers.
Claire Westmorland
Employment Manager
Claire transferred to Right2Work after spending 19 years at the Oaklea Trust and before that had worked in the Employment Service for 10 years.
One of her greatest achievements with the Employment Team, apart from securing numerous job opportunities for the hundreds of customers she has supported, was helping the Employment Team through an Ofsted Inspection on the Work Step programme, where they gained a good rating. Claire is enjoying helping her colleagues achieve some great outcomes for the many different customers we support.
Jim Thorburn
Employment Tutor
n 2017 I was part of the team responsible for setting up and delivering the Supported Internship programme which is a learning and work programme involving young people (16-24), Colleges and employers, throughout Cumbria. My current role is Supported Internship Project Co-ordinator supporting the learners and a team of 10 colleagues to continue the success of this most rewarding service.
Chris Pantechis
Project Manager
Chris oversees all activities at The Furniture Warehouse & Community Works, liaising with suppliers and ensuring compliance with contracts (such as that with SLDC).
Chris has a close working relationship with Adult Social Services to develop the best possible working experience for our Day Placement customers.
Sarah Jones
Appleby Hub Manager
Sarah has worked for the Oaklea Trust since 2006, initially as a support worker for adults and children with learning disabilities in the community and supported living homes.
Sarah progressed to become the manager for three new Oaklea projects; Aiming High, which was facilitating recreational activities for children and young people in South Lakes, Furness and Eden; opening and running supported living houses for young adults with learning disabilities; and now the highly successful Appleby Hub.
Paul Roberts
Project Co-ordinator
Simon Dey
Marketing & Communications Oaklea Group
Simon has worked for the Oaklea Group since 2017. He is a former Broadcast Journalist and has spent 30+ years in the communications field (PR & Marketing in a range of organisations ranging from BBC and ITV to CCC, government agencies and private sector.
In March 2020 during the Covid19 crisis he became based at the R2W Appleby Hub and combined Marketing role with a food delivery service to rural Eden using ‘Bulgy Bus’.
Chris Leith
Project Co-ordinator
Patrizia Scarpa
Head Chef, Appleby Hub
James Dixon
Job Coach, Community Works
Maria Appleton
Employment Adviser (South Lakes)
Scott Reid
Job Coach
Mandy Morland
Team Manager Community Learning (Job share)
Sara Wellock
Job Coach
Kevin Beecroft
Domestic Appliance Engineer
James Wright
Team Manager Community Learning (Job share)
Jackie Radcliffe
Appleby Hub
Sam Huck
Job Coach, Community Works
Claire Kerr
Upholstery Tutor
Abby Hall
Appleby Hub
Vicky Peall
Employment Adviser
Karen Powley
Appleby Hub
Melissa Young
Employment Adviser
Ann Williams
Administrator & Employment Adviser
Emilie Bradbury
Job Coach (Bank)
Sarah Richardson
Job Coach (Eden Valley)
Sarah Atkinson
Job Coach
Sarah Coates
Appleby Hub
Amanda Andrews
Employment Adviser (Journey2Work)
Amy Nelson
Employment Adviser, Carlisle
Claire Round
Employment Adviser, Barrow & Furness
Claire Unsworth
Job Coach, Kendal
Grant Huck
Job Coach, Furness
Jim Green
Project Co-ordinator, Community Works
Jim is the lead on our Community Works project that teaches and supports our learners to achieve an Open Awards Qualification in ground and property maintenance. In a previous life he had his own building and maintenance company (since 1986 working on various projects from converting house’s into flats to changing a tap washer). He has also worked as a contractor for Fairoak Housing maintaining and upgrading their properties. He is looking forward to the future with R2W & Community Works and helping them grow.
Join the Right2Work Team!
We are always happy to hear from talented individuals who may have the skills, experience and capabilities to compliment those of our team. If you think you’d like to be part of a forward-thinking community interest company, then we’d love to hear from you.
Our Partners
