THE future of the award-winning M3 Job Club is more secure – thanks to a £1,000 donation from the De La Rue Charitable Trust.

A cheque was presented to the club’s founder and chairman Richard Thayer last week at Carnival Hall, in Council Road, Basingstoke.

That is where the free and voluntary club currently meets every Friday morning, with a consistent attendance of around 30 people who are going through redundancy or similar transition, as they look for their next job.

Since Richard established the club in 2011, it has helped more than 270 people get back into work.

Chuffed with the De La Rue trust donation, Richard – who is on a quest to raise £24,000 to ensure the club remains operational next year – said: “This is the first real donation from a major local employer. We are extremely grateful to the trust for this donation in recognition of the work from many local volunteers and businesses that have helped to make this programme a success.

“Due to this success, we are in need of, for the first time, funding to ensure the longer-term future of the job club, starting with securing our location.

“With a conversion rate of around 1.6 people going back to work each week, we would love to be able to implement our plans to see this increase.

“To do that, we will work more closely with local businesses, providing the opportunity to spot experienced, skilled local talent right on their doorstep and drawn in from neighbouring counties.

“We are working to secure donations and sponsorship so that we have a win-win-win outcome for businesses, the job club and ultimately for those seeking their next role.”

The M3 Job Club takes a business-led, coaching approach to guide members, to help them retake control of their employment situation.

The aim is to equip members with the confidence and skills to secure their next role and for the job club to be a recognised talent pool of choice for local businesses so that it promotes employment opportunities and connects members to businesses.

Amanda Wiltshire, a trustee of The De La Rue Charitable Trust, said: “We chose to make a donation to the M3 Job Club in recognition of the valuable local support it provides to help unemployed adults help themselves to get back to work.

“It relies heavily on the goodwill of volunteers and supporting companies, and we feel that the money donated by De La Rue can make a real difference to the charity.”

The independent trust aims to assist a range of charities, provide financial support in the form of small donations to help address issues such as relief of suffering, educational support and development and self-sufficiency promotion.