Three years ago, when Upton Vale Baptist Church (UV) members in Torquay, Devon, asked themselves the question: “How can we help our local community?” employment was identified as a key issue. To address the challenge, UV initially licensed a course from a coaching charity. However, when the charity decided it would no longer support the course in 2023, a UV volunteer with a career as a business writer offered to write a new course—and 2B Ready was born.
Supported by UV volunteers and benefactors, 2BR offers employability courses working closely with the Torquay Job Centre, Torbay Council and local schools. Participants sign up for five-week programmes that help to restore confidence, instil resilience and better prepare participants for the workplace.
2BR courses are targeted toward:
- Post-education jobseekers who may have been out of work for an extended period or are having difficulty getting started in the job market
- Students in education, preparing 16-to 18-year-olds for the world of work by combining practical advice with tried-and-tested brain-training techniques (based on drama improvisation and neuro-linguistic programming exercises).
Although 2BR courses cover the basic requirements for employability (such as CVs and interview technique), they embrace the principle that being ready for work involves having the right mindset and approach. Indeed, the five 2BR sessions (based on the mnemonic READY) are focused on nurturing resilience within each individual and fuelling the persistence and preparation needed to find work.
Run from UV’s Youth Basement, 2BR’s jobseeker courses have limited requirements: comfortable seating, internet access, a small kitchen to make refreshments and toilets. The course itself is fully scripted, with additional visual aids in PowerPoint format. And while course content is being continually refined, the course can be made available under licence to other churches across the UK.
A dedicated website www.2bready.co.uk includes a password-protected back-end portal where all the course materials are held and course details can be logged—participants’ contact details, attendance records, assessment form responses and GDPR compliance. Marketing materials such as artwork for flyers and a roll-up banner are also available.
The course continues to go from strength to strength, backed by UV members. As with all UV’s community programmes, the 2BR team is supported by prayer and recognises the role of prayer in its future. There is also a move to grow local community awareness—aside from strong relationships with senior officers in the Job Centre, the 2BR team is increasing its influence through events and a media programme to “spread the word.”
Feedback from course participants has been rewarding; “A really holistic, positive and encouraging based to move forward,” said one jobseeker, while another stated: “I feel more confident for new job roles.” Students also commented on the benefits: “I’ve learnt the importance of being more resilient and that’s a big help,” said one attendee.
Finally, there are spiritual benefits from the care, support and commitment being offered: one attendee of 2B Ready went on to complete the Alpha course, was baptised in March 2025 and admits her life has been transformed through attending these community programmes.
To find out more about "2B Ready or Upton Vale Baptist church then click here