Our Story
Our community has always had a great track record of helping people up the ladder and into the workplace. Looking back nearly 200 years, the Jewish Board of Guardians, the social services of its day, provided apprenticeships and vocational funding. But in the early 1990s, when the British economy was hit by deep recession, it was recognised that a more co-ordinated approach was needed, and the origins of Resource came about.
1992
Jewish Care takes the initiative and establishes the Employment Resource Centre (ERC). Modelled on an innovative concept from the USA, ERC provides a one-stop shop providing training in CV writing, interview skills, IT training, confidence building and the power of networking.
Starting out from one room in Finchley, minimising costs by training and engaging skilled volunteers, the service and the ERC’s reputation quickly grows with what was regarded as an excellent success rate of 50% of getting people back to work.
2004
Due to budget restraints and a focus on its own core services, Jewish Care reluctantly withdraws funding. The ERC volunteers are determined to keep it going, recognising its ongoing value to the community.
ERC transfers to a new home at Fairacres, East Finchley, with seed funding and generous help from Jewish Blind and Disabled, and incorporates as an independent charity. New funding from individuals and charitable trusts ensures that the service is agile, proactive and can respond to the current job market.
2009-2012
With an urgent need to expand, offices, consultation rooms and IT training are relocated to Finchley Central and the base at Fairacres is reconfigured into a spacious, airy seminar room. Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is guest of honour at the official inauguration.
ERC changes its name to Resource, the Jewish Employment Advice Centre. Rebranded and re-invigorated, we move forward with an expanded range of seminars, bringing on board new Advisors and mentors to support clients in the best way possible.
2012-2016
We welcome the Mayor of Barnet, local MPs and Government Ministers to see Resource and our model of working, which is now regarded as a template for other communities.
We appoint our first Chief Executive, Victoria Sterman, and re-brand with a new logo and new strapline 'helping the community into employment'.
Resource launches the Resource Community, Resource's alumni programme for clients who have successfully found employment or started a business.
2017
Resource celebrates its 25th Anniversary and, more importantly, the 10,000 people it has helped take their career to the next level. By continually honing our services, we are now achieving a success rate of at least 70%, and continually strive to further increase that!
Resource holds 'The age-less job search' workshop at JW3 - a series of sessions on how to conquer age barriers in the job search with Baroness Ros Altmann CBE as the keynote speaker.
2020 and beyond
The world of technology is constantly moving, and Resource continues to adapt and enhance its services to meet the changing needs of our clients and communities. We offer our innovative AI user tool alongside dedicated student programmes and our Ageless Programme, designed to support learning, development, and engagement at every stage.
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Registered in England Number 5211299 Charity Registration Number 1106331. Funded by voluntary contributions and supported by Jewish Blind and Disabled