Marston Holdings, which includes parking enforcement and outsourced services arm NSL and the traffic enforcement firm VIdealaert, has partnered with the homeless charity St Mungo’s and Radical Recruit, a not-for-profit body for disadvantaged job seekers. The aim; helping some of London’s homeless people back into the workplace.
Emma Freivogel, founder of Radical Recruit said: “We are delighted to partner with Marston Holdings which has proved that ‘doing good’ and driving business success do not have to be mutually exclusive. The people we represent are often viewed through a lens of mistrust and assumed to lack the motivation, skills and abilities to secure and sustain employment. Subsequently, they are discarded on the ‘talent scrapheap’. This is a waste of human life, bad for business and detrimental to the economy. We are grateful that businesses such as Marston Holdings exist. Its leadership, especially in the current economic environment, is indispensable.’’
The pandemic has seen many of London’s homeless being temporarily housed in hotels. St Mungo’s case workers and Radical Recruit have been working with over 100 men and women, some as young as 18, preparing them for life in work, by assessing their interview and work readiness, supporting with CV development and running one-to-one interview coaching.
Marston Holdings has run two recruitment days attended by around 40 people. Q&A sessions helped put the candidates at ease and answered their questions prior to the formal interview. Nine candidates have now joined NSL working on contracts in the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Westminster, and Lewisham. A further four candidates are being interviewed for other positions in and around London.
Paolo Orezzi, NSL’s Service Director said: “I am really proud to have been involved in the project both from a commercial and personal social value point of view. Too often we overlook people based on their personal circumstances but when you dig deeper and get to know them, you realise that they have so much to offer and just need a helping hand to kick start their lives and reach their true potential.”
The contract firm reports praise from clients in the four boroughs and the company is looking to extend it nationally.
Pictured are from left to right Lee Thomas-Wragg, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Radical Recruit, Paolo Orezzi, and Kevin Makwikila, case worker at St Mungos.
