A NEW service to help Winchester’s unemployed has been launched by the city’s Mayor and council leader.

Councillors Eileen Berry and Frank Pearson unveiled the scheme – in line with national charity Sova – which provides an employment mentoring service for jobseekers across the district.

Around 40 people turned out for the launch at the Mayor’s official residence at Abbey House on Monday which included presentations from a voluntary mentor, cllrs Pearson and Berry, and information on referrals to the Job Centre Plus, Probation Service, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the city’s housing team.

Cllr Pearson said: “This service is perhaps a step outside the traditional role of a district council, providing direct, one-to-one support for those unable to find work, no matter what their age, abilities or background.

“I have always liked the slogan of Peter Symonds College in Winchester, which is ‘counting in ones’, and we had this in mind in developing our Mentoring Scheme.

“It is precisely because there is a small number of people out of work in Winchester that we are able to extend a helping hand to each individual jobseeker who wants to take it, and guide him or her along the pathway to employment.”

Alex Soloman, Sova’s project mentor who runs the Winchester service and trains local volunteers introduced an existing case study.