'Micro jobs' aiding individuals escape poverty - charitable organization

A Derbyshire-based charity that recently received a national award for its innovative micro jobs programme says the project is transforming lives by helping unemployed and vulnerable people move toward stable, paid work.

Zink, located in the town of Buxton and previously known as High Peak Food Bank, launched the scheme in 2016. The initiative offers small, tailored, paid roles within the organisation for individuals who have been without work for a long time or who have never held a job before. According to the charity, three out of four participants secure mainstream employment within six months of joining the programme.

After receiving recognition from the Centre for Social Justice, Zinks chief executive, Paul Bohan, said the project was about creating real and lasting change. He explained that the short-term roles serve as a stepping stone, helping people transition from volunteering into regular employment.

Founded as a food bank in 2014, Zink expanded its mission in 2020 to focus on the deeper causes of poverty, including addiction, unemployment, debt, and family breakdown. Mr Bohan said the goal was not only to provide food, but also to equip people with the skills and confidence needed to regain control of their lives and finances.

The idea for the scheme was born during a discussion with individuals recovering from heroin addiction. One person questioned who would ever employ someone with their past, prompting Mr Bohan to respond that he would. With financial support from Derbyshire County Council, the micro jobs project was officially introduced shortly afterwards.

Participants typically start as volunteers in an area that matches their interests. After several weeks, they work with the charity to create a personalised job role that helps them practise and showcase relevant skills. To ensure the process reflects real employment standards, each candidate must formally apply and interview for the position with a member of the organisations board.

One success story is chef Jo Jo Smith, who now works full-time at Zinks public caf. After experiencing severe stress while running her own catering business, she became dependent on alcohol and lost both her company and her relationship. She said her sense of self-worth disappeared and she had no idea where to turn for help.

Following a period of rehabilitation, Ms Smith decided to volunteer in Zinks kitchen. After completing the micro jobs scheme, she successfully applied for a permanent role. She credits the charity with bringing stability and purpose back into her life, saying that without its support she would likely have returned to addiction.

Another former participant, Turrum Mellor-Hughes, described himself as completely broken during the height of his drug dependency. He admitted he was using injectable drugs even before going to work. While waiting to begin rehab, he started volunteering at Zink to occupy his time and soon became part of the scheme.

Mr Mellor-Hughes believes the charity saved his life, saying that without it, he would have gone back to a drug dealer and may not have survived. He has since moved on to a full-time position in residential childcare.

Encouraged by these outcomes, Zink is now urging the government to support and expand similar initiatives across the country. Mr Bohan said that in an era of rising unemployment and economic instability, targeted, local employment schemes are more necessary than ever.

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions responded by emphasising the importance of locally driven solutions. They highlighted current efforts to give regional leaders more authority in tackling economic inactivity, along with major reforms aimed at offering a more flexible and personalised service to jobseekers.

Author: Sophia Brooks