Quarterly performance figures from our frontline services at St Giles show a sharp increase in the need for employment support – rising more than fourfold compared to the first quarter of this financial year.

The second quarter figures relate to our work between July and September, when the country emerged from the first lockdown and St Giles carefully engaged in face to face contact again with many of our clients. During this time, our services helped 7,280 people address a range of issues from job losses, homelessness, poverty and gang involvement.

Help with employment accounted for 25% of all contact with St Giles, indicating a growing need for support in this area as the effects of COVID-related job losses are felt across the UK. Despite the prevailing challenges facing people looking for work at this difficult time, St Giles helped 130 people successfully find paid employment during the second quarter taking our six month figure to 202.  

Alongside jobs, there has been a huge increase in the number of people our teams have helped to access education and training to prepare them for paid work, with 1069 supported so far this year – more than double on the previous year. A large number of these are young people we have helped onto college courses or skills training.

As the country emerged from the first lockdown, so did the criminal gangs who continue to pose a threat to many young people.  Our services helping young people caught up in criminal exploitation and serious violence helped 737 young people helped during the second quarter – increase of 16% on the previous one. Of those, 650 were helped to reduce their county lines activity, 130 made a complete gang exit and 270 improved their school attendance.  Amongst the older ones, 357 were helped onto training and courses and 71 successfully found paid work.