Are you a person with caring responsibilities or a person with a learning disability who has been out of the job market for a while?

Maybe never had a job? You may feel as though you have lost confidence and don’t know where to start, but The Oxfordshire Wheel's new free Aspire and Achieve Course could be your next step.

The Oxfordshire Wheel is a collaborative user-led organisation, led by and representing people with disabilities and other users of support services, including carers. Funded by the European Social Fund, this free, friendly and accessible course could be for you if you are perhaps thinking about gaining some voluntary work experience, thinking about returning to studying or thinking about applying for a new job.

It’s very hands-on and gives you a chance to build on your skills and helps you to know what your skills are and know what support you might need.

There are eight sessions in Oxford starting on Tuesday, November 6, covering a range of topics including building a portfolio of experience, interview skills, juggling your caring role, how to write a CV, time management, and budgeting. Places are limited, so if you would like more information contact The Oxfordshire Wheel before Friday, October 26.

This course is part of The Oxfordshire Wheel’s aims to improve existing services and develop new ones, emphasising collaboration with other local organisations to achieve a high quality of life for people with disabilities, and support and promote independent living. The group supports the delivery of the Putting People First agenda in Oxfordshire, which is all about giving choice and control to users of support services.

User-led organisations provide services that enable people to exercise choice and control over how their support needs are met and are based on the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’. The Oxfordshire Wheel also has a number of volunteering roles available. Contact Jan on 07596 784947 or email info@oxfsn.org.uk if you are interested or if you would like more information about the Aspire and Achieve Course. Visit theoxfordshirewheel.org to find out more about the Oxfordshire Wheel.

If you want to contribute to this column contact Sarah Beer at Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk