Press Release
Honoured For Helping The Local Unemployed
14 June 2008
Jimmy Mooney is a site agent working for the Wise Group who has been helping unemployed people into work for over 20 years. His service to supporting unemployed people has been recognised by the award of an MBE in today’s honours list.
Jimmy is a superb example of the type of unsung hero that deserves an honour. His incredible personal enthusiasm and motivation for his job has had an impact on around 3,000 disadvantaged people in the last 20 years. He works with unemployed people to help them get sufficient skills and work experience to move into a job and at the same time to play an active part in the regeneration of their own communities. He has spent his career working directly with disadvantaged individuals. His work can be challenging. It combines the roles of mentor, manager, advisor and guidance worker.
His work with the Wise Group has delivered environmental improvement projects in some of Western Scotland’s most deprived and workless communities. The projects involve training long term unemployed individuals in basic construction and landscaping skills and at the same time turning previously derelict and unused community areas into functional greenspaces. Jimmy’s work has impacted on many thousands of people by providing high quality community spaces and parks.
Reflecting on his career, Jimmy said. “For many trainees that participate in Wise Group projects it offers them a new way of life, from unemployment to employment, from low self-esteem to having a real sense of pride in their own abilities. I find it immensely rewarding to be involved in this change. I am always inspired to continue my work when I hear from trainees about how much they appreciate the assistance on their journey back into employment. I often tell them that many of the supervisors that they have dealt with started out just like them, as trainees.”
He continues: “My experience with the Wise Group has been immensely rewarding. To be part of an organisation that has enriched the lives of some of society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable people and to travel alongside them on their journey back into employment has made my 20 years the most rewarding of times”.
Commenting on the honour for Jimmy, the Wise Group’s Chief Executive, Laurie Russell, said: “I cannot think of a single person more worthy of this award than Jimmy. He has played a huge part in the success of not only thousands of people gaining new skills and finding work, but the success of regeneration sites throughout west and central Scotland. His passion for seeing young people change their lives in a positive way can be seen every day and his caring approach is a positive role model to others”.
Latest Press Releases
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
