Young man wearing glasses and a bright orange, Bristol Waste branded uniform sits at a table as he smiles at the camera. There is a pale wall and the corner of a dark grey sofa behind him. There is also a framed print just behind his head

Logan’s FareChance success

Logan spent a year trying in vain to find a job before our unique employability programme, FareChance, helped him finally secure the opportunity he deserves. 

The 21-year-old has now secured a full-time job with Bristol Waste and isn’t looking back.

He says the combination of practical skills he gained and support he received from the FareChance team at FareShare South West made all the difference.  

“Pretty big steps have been taken here,” says Logan. “I came here and then just got stuck in straight away. FareChance was good because they gave me the relevant experience that I need for any manual job. And I got to speak to people as well about what it’s like in the workplace and how to do CVs and cover letters.” 

Polly and Robin from our FareChance team coached Logan through CV writing and interview training, which he says helped him feel prepared when he applied for the role and got the interview.  

Two men smile at the camera as they stand side by side. The man on the left wears glasses and a black t-shirt with a yellow high vis vest over it. The man on the right wears a bright blue jumper with an orange high vis vest over it. They are in a warehouse and have a green crate and some packaged food in front of them

“I’ve been at points where my mental health has just gone downhill” 

Speaking about what the new job means for him, Logan says: “It’s a relief because the wait is finally over. I’ve been at points where my mental health has just gone downhill, like drastically, because I’ve been searching and searching and I’m just getting the same results every time. But this time, it’s a lot different.” 

Logan got his new job just before he was due to finish the FareChance programme. He says the role is tiring, he’s getting up at 4am and walking on average 17,000 steps a day, but he loves the job, the people and the opportunities it has opened to him. 

Looking to the future 

“I’m earning way more than I used to on Universal Credit. And it gives me that motivation to actually get up and do something. And it’s the colleagues as well, they’re like really nice,” says Logan.

Two men sit on wicker-style chairs outside. Both are wearing black tops with yellow high vis vests over them. The man on the left has a black cap on. Both are smiling at the camera and holding a plastic tray of food. There is a table in front of them with some empty food and drink packaging. There are trees, foliage and a metal fence behind them

An employability programme with a difference 

Reflecting on his time with FareChance, Logan says it helped give him gain practical skills and confidence. As someone who doesn’t learn well in a classroom environment, he appreciated the different, hands-on approach. He also made friends on the programme.  

Logan adds: “This has just put me in a different mindset, which is for the better. I know I’m improving. People learn in different ways and some people learn through actually doing things.”

Would you like to find out more about FareChance? Read more and apply here.

The food waste hierarchy calls for food to feed people first

Food companies are legally obliged to use food to feed people before sending to anaerobic digestion or for animal feed. We help them do that.

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