Work-club volunteer just the job for TV

DEDICATED: Richard on the documentary.

AN Oldham man has appeared in a Channel 4 documentary after voluntarily helping hundreds of unemployed locals get back into work.

Richard Outram, of Shaw, who volunteers as chairman of the Oldham Work Club Network, featured in last night’s programme, “Tricks of the Dole Cheats”.

Richard’s success in heading the service in Oldham — which now boasts 13 clubs in total — got him an invitation to appear.

Richard (46) is hoping the programme has shown out-of-work residents that extra help is available.

He said: “Job Centre Plus staff are there to help more with benefits. You have to be unemployed to access a lot of the services they provide, or you have to have been unemployed for a certain amount of time.

“With work clubs you don’t have to wait. You don’t even have to be unemployed, you could just be looking for a better or different job.”

The clubs help with job hunting, CVs, application forms and interview technique.

Richard travelled to London in June nd set up a mini job centre, conducting interviews and giving one-to-one advice.

The fame hasn’t gone to Richard’s head: “It was a fascinating day and it was great to see how they film things - but I was glad to get back to Shaw,” he said.

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