Comedy to spread message of hope for Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is famed for its sense of fun. Now the borough council is using humour to raise awareness of the services and opportunities available to residents to help them get trained, get jobs and get involved in local decision-making.
Two free comedy nights at The Longbar on Monday 22nd and at Peggotty’s on Tuesday 23rd March kick off a campaign aimed at highlighting the schemes on offer for people across the borough.
More free comedy is on offer on Wednesday, where local wit Steve Ace will compere a road show event in the Market Place at 11am and 1.30pm, with people on hand to give advice and information on opportunities to learn and train, improve skills, find jobs, volunteer and set up a business.
The government-funded campaign, Your Borough Your Chance, uses the phrase ‘No Joke” to emphasise the council’s commitment to helping those most in need.
Jane Ratcliffe, Executive Director (customers and resources) for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said the novel approach was aimed at getting people talking about the campaign.
“We’re hoping to spread the message to a wider audience and provide people with some fun at the same time,” she added. “We need to make sure people are aware of how many opportunities there are regardless of their circumstances. There are real opportunities out there to help people get skills, including life skills, not just qualifications – it’s about socialising and sorting out the right employment opportunities for people.
“In a recession people may have lost their job, know someone who has or someone suffering from depression and will be able to tell them about the help they can get. A lot of the schemes are for people who have long-term issues.”
The campaign features outdoor posters, leaflets, stickers plus advertising and promotional beer mats which play on the ‘No Joke’ theme and include a telephone number where people can get more information.
Jane said a key issue of the campaign was to encourage people to take more of an active role in the decision-making process where they live. “It’s about being able to contribute to the local community and being able to influence local services by being part of that process,” she added.
Among the successful initiatives already underway include Target Opportunities, a project which provides access to employment support services, including volunteering, informal and formal learning, training, work placements, help with CVs and interview skills, and confidence building.
enterpriseGY is a one-stop-shop for people looking to start or expand a business in the borough. Staff based at the Novus Centre can offer an informal chat about your business idea, help to book a course or to get some financial advice.
And the Future Jobs Fund is a government initiative to help people who have been unemployed for more than six months get back into work. Staff at the JobCentre can provide valuable work experience together with training opportunities, help with CVs and job seeking skills.
The comedy nights feature MC John Mann, described by TV funnyman Phill Jupitus as “one of the funniest people I know”, and four talented newcomers.
Line up:
- The Longbar, Marine Parade, Monday from 8.30pm – John Mann plus Darren Ruddell as Kev the Plasterer and Phil Butler.
- Peggotty’s. King Street, Tuesday, from 8.30pm – John Mann plus Harry Denford and Adam Crow, described Ricky Gervais as “really funny“.
To access help people can call the helpline on 01493 846202.
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