Words by Smiley Team
Radical Recruit, the social recruitment agency, has launched a new project working alongside homelessness charity St Mungo's to pilot a recruitment project to find up to 100 work-ready individuals permanent employment in less than 100 days.
The agency - founded by Emma Freivogel - has supported 58 people into employment since its launch in October 2019 and has placed 30 of these individuals since lockdown commenced in March 2020.
Now, the community interest company are looking for ethical and socially-responsible employers to help them expand their reach and support what they are calling the Radical Futures project.
Radical Futures is a two-month project working with those who have no recourse to public funds and need employment as the first step to rebuilding a secure and stable life. Whilst the Radical Futures project is focussed on London, the wider employment initiatives that Radical Recruit does aims to make a positive social impact throughout the country.
"We want to change negative misconceptions of people who experience homelessness and ensure everyone has the opportunity to secure and sustain paid and meaningful employment. No-one wants to be wrongly perceived as being antisocial or lacking the skills required to work, especially when they’re a highly motivated individual that possesses valuable skills that are in demand by employers.
"Our candidates, or Radicals, as we call them, are full of determination, resilience and grit. We want to ensure our candidates have access to the labour market and are given opportunities to become contributing and valued members of society. Otherwise, it’s a waste of life. It’s bad for business and detrimental to the UK economy.’’ says co-founder and CEO, Emma Freivogel.
Emma said: "We want to partner with businesses who can offer employment opportunities to individuals across a range of sectors including catering, construction, manufacturing, administration, finance, warehousing, retail, hospitality and hygiene services.
We need forward-thinking, ethical businesses who can see people’s potential and focus simply on the benefits to the employer and employee. For the Radical Futures project, we are willing to offer a no-fee commercial engagement model.’’
Radical Recruit approaches recruitment like their mainstream counterparts in the sense that their candidates are invited to interview on the merit of their applications and offered the job because they are the best person at the end of the race. Their candidates also go through the same vetting process as every other employee. The key difference between Radical and other agencies is the pre- and post-placement support they offer candidates who have huge potential and often extensive work histories but have fallen on hard times.
Lindsay Healy, Founding Partner of Aria Grace Law and client of Radical Recruit said, "We were lucky enough to be in a position where we could offer employment to a Radical who really needed it, and I am delighted to say that both they and we are benefitting – perhaps us more so because not only did we get a great skillset but also someone who provides alternative ideas and perspectives to a corporate law firm.'
'In general, by securing permanent work, vulnerable people can start to rebuild their lives. This includes being able to afford safe and permanent accommodation. Sometimes I think there but for the grace of God go I, however, this really is a unique opportunity for business leaders to take part in an innovative project which tackles homelessness at its root. We will continue to work with Radical Recruit and would strongly urge other employers to consider joining their recruitment revolution – to us, it makes business sense and for society, it is the right thing to do."
To find out more about Radical Recruit and how they can support their mission head to ww.radicalrecruit.co.uk
