Natasha Jonas' fighting spirit is a big hit with Rochdale jobseekers

Jobseekers Andrew Whittaker and Simon Cottam with Natasha Jonas and Ingeus’s Social Engagement Manager Richie Ellison (second from left).

The gloves have been off as a group of eight long-term unemployed jobseekers from Rochdale entered the ring with GB Olympic boxer and World bronze medallist Natasha Jonas.

Andrew Whittaker, 27, said: “I was really reticent at first and thought the course wasn’t for me. That soon changed and by the end of the week I was buzzing.

"I’ve been out of work for some time now, and so I’ll do anything I can do to improve my chances of getting a job. I learnt the importance of teamwork and discipline, both in the ring and in employment, and I’m now very keen to get fit and stay that way – Natasha showed us just how important this is.

"Simon Cottam, 28, added: “The week was amazing, and really helped boost my confidence. I’ve been out of work for seven years, and whilst I really do want a job and have always tried hard, it’s difficult to remain motivated when you’ve been unemployed for so long.

“It was great to train with others alongside Natasha,” Simon added. “She was very professional, but we all felt we could talk to her. She put everything she had into the week and as a result we came together as a group really well.”

The group has just attended an innovative week-long course designed by local employment specialist Ingeus. Ingeus delivers Greater Manchester’s Working Well programme, which aims to help jobseekers overcome their barriers to work.

Held at the Littleborough Boxing Club, the innovative scheme called TKO (Training, Knowledge and Opportunities), uses sport to help unemployed people develop leadership, teamwork, communication skills and self-confidence. With Natasha on hand to demonstrate the amazing results that hard work and commitment can achieve, Ingeus’s clients were given a huge boost in their search for work. The group also took part in employability workshops and physical training, as well as visiting a range of city-centre employers to gain an insight into hospitality and retail careers.

“Ingeus’s clients were fabulous,” said Natasha. “They all brought different skills and experiences to the group, but they shared the common goal of getting into work. We explored key skills like discipline and routine - as relevant to employment as they are to boxing. I really enjoyed working with people from Rochdale as they all have fighting spirit just like me but just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves in the workplace.”

The week was organised by Ingeus’s Social Engagement Manager Richie Ellison. He said: “Natasha is an exceptional role model and is the epitome of what discipline and dedication can achieve. The transformation in some of the Ingeus clients who attended was amazing and I’m confident that many more of them will move into work very soon.”

Ingeus is a leading employability and skills programme provider, pioneering services to help people reach their full potential. The company has a network of more than 80 UK offices, providing a free of charge recruitment service to employers and practical training and support to jobseekers.