Ross Brown, Contract Manager at Opportunity Sheffield, welcomed guests to the Spring Teacake Club Meeting, hosted by Adullam Homes at Burton Street Foundation on Friday 9 May 2025.
You can see the full slideshow here:
Speakers
Opportunity Sheffield
John Powell – Partnership Manager
As there were a number of attendees new to the Teacake Club, John Powell gave some background to how it started.
He explained its role in supporting and sharing best practice with anyone in South Yorkshire with an interest in welfare to work. The Teacake Club currently has a mailing list of over 380 individuals in 80 organisations.
To join the newsletter mailing list, email: opportunity@sheffield.gov.uk
Adullam Homes
Emma Billingham – Team Leader
Emma explained that Adullam is a homeless charity, based in the North of England and Wales, offering support, funding and accommodation since 1972. It’s clients are recovering from addiction, domestic violence and homelessness.
Based at Burton Street Foundation in Hillsborough, they currently work with 146 service users in Sheffield. There is a regular Wednesday drop-in session.
There are a number of ongoing workshops running from April to June, which deal with areas such as confidence building, managing anxiety and assertiveness. These will all be repeated in September 2025.
To find out more, visit the Adullum website.
Likewise
Julia Ertl – Employment Specialist
Julia told attendees that Likewise is a drug and alcohol recovery service with a focus on Employment Support.
The service uses both ‘fast track’ and long term support, can work with rough sleepers, and supports friends and family of those suffering from drug and alcohol use. The service offers 1-1 support and can help participants access other wellbeing support services.
Likewise’s recovery hub provides peer support, and their ambassador programme can provide a gateway for those interested in a career working in this area.
The employability support team uses the IPS model and any Likewise client is eligible. In-work support is offered for clients and employers alike.
They are based at Portland House in Shalesmoor, and referrals can be made by phone, their website or in person.
To find out more, visit the Likewise website
Opportunity Sheffield
Kingsley Paul – Service Manager
Kingsley spoke about the new triage system in place at Opportunity Sheffield, the employment and skills service within Sheffield City Council. The system is designed to be a simple process to get the client to the service that is best suited to them.
He asked for organisations to share information on their services to enable clients to be referred to and from Opportunity Sheffield. Organisations can email: opportunity@sheffield.gov.uk
To find out more, visit the Opportunity Sheffield website.
The Oratory Studio
John Joseph Bradley – Facilitator
The Oratory Studio is designed to help people develop great public speaking skills. This can also help with interviews, build confidence meeting people, or help with leading a team.
It hosts a workshop twice a month at Sheffield Hallam University. The idea is to help build confidence and effectiveness via group practice and feedback in a safe environment.
John is offering two free workshops in July to all on a first come first serviced basis, with a maximum of 25 places. Sign up is via The Oratory Studio website.
NHS Talking Therapies
Amy Cockbill & Vicky Reynolds
Amy and Vicky are part of the Talking Therapies Team (previously IAPT), which focuses on employment support for service users.
They are embedded within the clinical team, and anyone accessing clinical support is eligible for the employment support. In addition, clients must be over 18, Sheffield residents, with mild-moderate mental health conditions.
Clients can be seen face to face or remotely. An initial assessment takes place via a phone call. It’s best if clients self refer to the project.
To register for an initial assessment, visit the NHS Talking Therapies website.
In Brief
Attendees had a chance to briefly promote services they work for and/or projects they are working on. Speakers in this quarter’s In Brief segment included:
Johnny from Code Your Future – Two free courses are available June – July for people with barriers: a software development course (participants need a reasonable level of English) and a smartphone literacy course. Sign up via the website.
Charlie from Grow – The next gardening course at the Manor site starts on 19 May. A pilot course is also starting at the High Green Development Trust on 24 June 2025. Both courses are aimed at 16–24-year-olds, are part time and run for four weeks. Visit the Grow website.
Hayley from The King’s Trust – It offers 12-week courses to 16–25-year-olds, to reengage with education or get into work. She is looking for referral partners and community organisations who can provide projects. Email: hayley.kingston@sheffieldcol.ac.uk or visit The King’s Trust website.
Becky from Sheffield City Council – Opportunity Sheffield’s In Work Support Team can offer support with funding to upskill and train staff already employed by organisations.
Opportunity Sheffield would like to thank Burton Street Foundation for hosting our meeting at their venue. If anyone would like to offer a venue for a future Teacake Club meeting, please contact Ross Brown: ross.brown@sheffield.gov.uk
teacakeclub.org 