Shaw Trust Reviews 

Having had a LOT of experience with Jobcentre training programmes over the years I'd say Shaw Trust is typical. But, until recently, having had a less than positive attitude towards such schemes, I didn't benefit much from them.

A year or so ago the DWP sent me on one course, then another, both with Shaw Trust. I'd had a change of circumstances - and attitude - by this time. So I complied, made an effort, got a job and I'm pretty happy about it. The advisers were mostly helpful and enthusiastic, and Shaw Trust made me a great CV, helped me get a few certificates, got me the job lead and gave me £100 for work clothes. So well done for that.

On the minus side I see instances from other reviews about the admin being sometimes a bit dodgy or unprofessional. This is par for the course with these things, and I found myself having to make a few complaints and threats, one in particular regarding a breach of my data rights because I was marked down as missing a session, which I technically didn't. These types of people frequently err on the side of getting you into trouble with the DWP, so you have to make sure you know when to push back firmly and assert your rights. In this instance the admin needed threats of legal action before they removed incorrect data from my record. They had initially refused, stating that an accurate record needed to be sent to the DWP - but it wasn't accurate - it was simply what their system indicated - and it was wrong and legally actionable, more so if they had passed on this incorrect data.

Overall I'd say Shaw trust was brilliant. I won't deduct points for poor admin as I enjoy putting incompetent professionals in their place.

I was dropped by two different mentors without explanation. Both kept canceling appointments without rescheduling. I was engaged, enthusiastic and hopeful, and they acted interested, but never followed-up. They obviously have contracts with some really bog standard employers that they want to recruit for by the truckload, anyone with any skills and experience is completely stuck. They won't fund anything other than the most basic courses. There's no hope for someone between mid-level stages in the labour market. They completely wasted my time, abandoned me, then had the nerve to ask me to urgently complete some processes after severing ties with me when the six months was up. No. You did nothing for me, I'll do nothing for you.

Richard Daniel is obviously on the right job- his willingness to do his best is amazing. I was suspended from my job and he supported me all through with advice and support regarding attending disciplinary meeting and appealing against the decision taken by my employer. He is very patience, good listen skill, empowering and happy to help at any time etc.

It is a total waste of time and energy. They make false promises, and never pay you a single penny.

Sadly, very disappointed in the introduction of Shaw trust. My job centre referred me to Shaw trust and how dismal it has been, let alone disappointing in the handling and a bad experience overall. Face to face cancelled last minute and decided to do second telephone discussion withsame repetitive questions and interrogation. Very upsetting that my supposed manager did not take the time to read my resume and understand my skills and qualifications, initiallyclaiming didn't receive then trying to cover up by reading verbatim from my resume. Even more disappointing was the fact that because I had mentioned I had applied for a specific role, that the manager just passed me links to online recruitment agencies offering similar roles that I have already viewed myself and applied accordingly. Would be nice to find out where the funding comes for this trust and who is vetting the staff and their competencies. Because it really needs addressing.

I completed 2 online courses with Shaw trust/ixion holdings in Aug 2021(The courses were completely irrelevant and never covered the topics I was looking for). I had to chase them up to get my certificates!!!!! Communication with the admin was absolutely appalling. I only received one certificate in the end. Embarrassing.

Terrible company to work for, senior management are only interested in themselves, they expect you to work double your hours. All teams on the frontline are miserable, HR are abysmal, if your face fits your fine.
On a positive note, Chris Luck CEO is a wonderful, thought provoking inspirational leader but its sad that management dont follow his lead

I was sceptical about JETS, I was unsure if I would obtain any benefit from this referral. I have always been in senior roles and have never struggled with unemployment. Ben Ward was an inspirational coach and I genuinely looked forward to our meetings; he spoke to me with empathy and was diplomatic, he gave me a sense of self worth and purpose. We are all experiencing daunting and dark times but Ben was the light in said times. The resources, the support and guidance was rational, empowering and the time devoted to make sure my family and I were as comfortable as possible was above, beyond and heart warming. The skills I have developed and the choices I have made are owed to his targeted advice and guidance and I am really excited and eager to start my new challenge in the next few weeks, it will be tough but I believe in myself now and I can do this.

Rude, constantly pester you from different numbers and try to force you into work you don’t even want to do and all whilst acting like they’re the CEO of Microsoft when anyone could do their job and then make u feel like ur useless. Told a man I’m waiting for my autism assessment and to stop messaging me due to the fact they are persistently calling me and he said “That’s nice” Incredibly condescending and ablelist group of people that dismiss people who are neurodivergent I’m perfectly capable of looking for my own work and don’t need someone patronising and ignorant

I was with these guys in hopes of getting a job and my confidence back instead I got constantly reminded that I was on benefits and I could not afford a meal out with friends or holidays.

had one job coach there who would always talk about dieting and gyms and vacations and designer cloths while sitting eating doughnuts.
not a place for someone like me to be so I left and got a job without their help in the end.

I had a call with Daniel with the Shaw Trust in late September. Daniel was extremely kind and generous with the time that he spent talking to me.
He walked me through all the different possible scenarios of what could happen with my situation and help me prepare a possible resolution for each of them. It was great to hear from someone who has seen cases like mine unfold in the past so that I can know what to expect.

I left the call reassured that I indeed was not trapped and had plenty of options to explore. In the past this wasn't the case, as I was very nervous to take the wrong steps.

The conversation with Daniel gave me confidence for what's to come. Thank you for the help.

Absolutely appalled by the sheer emotional trust I have in these people no remorse in people that suffer from severe depression and anxiety all they care about is getting you in to work no matter what I can't seem to get rid of these people. They badger you on so much that no matter how many times you block them they bounce back with an alternative number that seems to get through and emails the constant emails I get from them is obsessive.

These guys don’t take no for a answer, infact any communications they don’t want to hear falls on deaf ears. Entirely different matter when they are trying to contact you though. They do have some good resources but trying to leave them is a nightmare ! I got a job and politely requested for them to remove me from the Shaw Trust/JETS program, I did this through the portal via messages and also repeated emails to anybody I had any contact with. I also asked for them to cancel any upcoming meetings and I no longer wanted any further help/assistance, these have just been ignored. I have since blocked all the numbers and any email addresses from them. When I last logged in to the portal they were still booking me for “in work” meetings with someone, I even emailed them directly to say I wasn’t interested and stop making/confirming my appts when I have already declined any further contact with anybody from Shaw Trust. Considering i only joined voluntary it’s actually my choice when I leave the program, not yours. Thankfully it was due to end this month anyway ! I’m sure they will respond with the usual - please email and we will look in to it, but it’s pointless, i already did that and also asked for my data to be removed and I didn’t get a reply, and they didn’t respond. Glad to see the back of them, the opposite of what they are supposed to be achieving.
*update* finally they removed a upcoming meeting, funny how that happened after posting this review. But no Lisa I have no interest emailing again. Hopefully now that will be the last I ever hear of them.

UPDATE: I would like to express further my dissatisfaction with Shaw Trust. They are one of the reasons my mental health has deteriorated. Added more explanations for what went wrong. I have not contacted the email in response to this review at the moment.

In a previous phone appointment with Shaw Trust, I was asked if I am finding the Work and Health Programme helpful or not. I answered yes, but nothing in particular. I am questioning whether it is worth remaining with them or not, but at the same time, I have concern about negative repercussion if I were to explain to Job Centre about me not being in programme anymore. I was informed that the programme is intensive and requires engagement from me. Unfortunately, the person who I talked to speculated that I am not all engaged with it. This was because she noticed and brought up missed appointments earlier in the year, none of which were my fault. I was asked why I missed appointments and answered that I was not informed of these at all. I explained that I was being contacted by phone at random days and times (something which I did not like, but I never mentioned this in my reply). I found it frustrating when she said "I don't know if there was something wrong with your phone or other things." or something to that effect. I do find it frustrating that the Job Centre staff require benefit claimants like me to sign up for the programme, instead of deciding myself.

Something else that has bothered me this week was I received an email from Work and Health Programme about an invitation to attend bank buildings. The person who wrote and sent the email said I am invited, but in a subsequent paragraph she said that the thing will be set as an appointment, as if it is compulsory for me to attend. It has definitely frustrated me and as of me writing this email, I still have not replied to confirm attendance, due to the unpredictability of my health. I have copied and pasted the email below.

Hello,

You are invited to attend the Bank Buildings, (please see image below/attached to see where the entrance is) on Friday 26th August at 1pm to find out all the info on Owens and the roles they have available. The General Manager will also be in attendance to answer any questions.

Please bring your CV with you and come dressed smartly, if you need it printed let me know. There will be drinks and cake.

My colleague will be waiting outside to show you in.

Please arrive 5 minutes early so we can get started in good time.

This will be set as an appointment and you will receive a reminder the day before, we will reimburse your public transport costs at your next face to face meeting. Any questions please do get in touch. Please reply to this email to confirm your attendance

Support Manager

Work and Health Programme

Hi, please check your emails. You have been invited to a session to find out more about the Owens vacancies on Friday 26th August at 1pm. Please call to discuss further. Your attendance at the session is required Please do not reply to this number.

I had a scheduled WHP phone appointment about this message I received last week when I was out and about. I knew what the appointment was going to be about and got told off for non-attendance because I explained the reason of contradiction and I couldn't cope with that change. The message said invited, but a different sentence afterwards says that my attendance is required. I unintentionally made myself look bad and this might be passed to my work coach. It was considered important for me to attend, but they just didn't word the message correctly and I have been told that lots of people attended. I have been given the decision to be put forward with the job or not. I also came across as not talkative because I had long silences and was really upset I was talked down to. It is a job that requires lots of communication. The other person said something about "don't waste the employer's time". I was also advised if I have problem understanding an email, I am just supposed to say so by contacting, something which I was not able to do to begin with, because the contradiction made me unable to cope.

A woman phoned me from shawtrust and the first thing she was asking me for was Id.i do not know this woman have never spoken to her before and she could have been anyone.was then asking me my housing situation.how has that going to help me find work???

Too much toxicity here. Everyone involved within this company do not care. I have made several complaints about the way I have been treated. I have spoken to senior managers whose names I will not mention but if I can have an email to send my complaints too I would love to be able to do that. From the moment I signed up to 6 months later when I’m finally off has been hell. Rude and arrogant staff members and dismissive senior staff who just don’t listen. None of my needs were met and I have left the programme with nothing and it is so frustrating because all I wanted was to find long term employment but I got none. Please can I escalate this!!

I attended the Re-start program 28/07/22 in Birmingham with The Shaw Trust. I was apprehensive as I had been with them before and had a disappointing experience. This time there had been a mix up with appointments before I even attended so was expecting the worst and was very anxious about the meeting.
However from the moment I arrived everyone including the security guard downstairs was really nice and helpful to me. My work coach was really helpful and positive and I felt that the meeting had given me a little more confidence in looking for work which suits my health capabilities. I've given 3 stars rating as there's always room for improvement and it was my first appointment with them, but so far so good ! If you had a bad experience before ( like I did ) don't be put off, give the benefit of the doubt, you may like myself be pleasantly surprised.

We’re do I start…..
They are aggressive
They leave voicemails then email you to say they’ve sent a voicemail?
They are relentless people are just ££s just terrible
Can’t believe DWP funds this joke

Ben Ward was my coach on jets and his patience, understanding and determination to support me with my current troubles, finding a job and general life hiccups was just unreal. It didn’t matter what issue I had, Ben had a strong constructive answer to guide me where I needed to be to make the most of the situation. His meetings were motivational, inspiring and I always left the calls feeling positive. Thank you so much for being my amazing coach, if only jets was longer! Oh I also have a job thanks to Ben.

Was speaking to Emma Fitchett! Absolutely fantastic, she took the time to listen and was incredibly helpful, we spent well over an hour on the phone (my fault) but she was so personable and a joy to talk to! I look forward to working with her going forward ! Can’t recommend her highly enough!

Thank you x