IF YOU are thinking of returning to work after suffering from ill health or taking time out to look after the children, then Kendal is hosting a job fair that could help you back into employment, reports Andrew Daniels.

Organised by The Westmorland Gazette, in conjunction with Job Centre Plus, work seekers will be able to take advantage of the first job fair of its kind in South Lakeland.

One of the organisers from the job centre, Catherine Brockbank, said it would be an opportunity for those who might think they were not ready to return to work to make the first step towards landing a new job in the future.

"It's a case of putting on a showcase of the support that's available through the job centre and local organisations," she said.

Everyone who attends will be registered to track the success of the event and there will be job vacancies to apply for on the day.

People will be able to visit trade stands run by at least 17 employers and take advantage of discussion sessions to learn more about the types of job opportunities available.

Advisers will be on hand to discuss the New Pathways to Work initiative for those on incapacity benefit and the whole day is aimed at those who would not normally come through the doors of the job centre.

The information sessions and programmes held throughout the day will give people the chance to hear what the different organisations have to say and get an idea of what help is available.

Some of the events will include adult learning in work, support for people on disability or health-related benefits and support for parents in work. Employers attending will include Reed Employment, Macdonalds and Westmorland Gazette Newspapers.

The jobs fair will be held at the Riverside Hotel, Stramongate, on Thursday, September 29, from 11am.