Legre’s journey with Jobs First: a story of resilience and support

Andron is a family-run facilities management business, providing cleaning and security services across the UK. They’ve partnered with homelessness charity Social Bite since 2020. To date, Andron have employed nine people through Social Bite’s 15-month Jobs First programme, including during its pilot phase. Treating everyone equally with trust and respect is at the heart of the partnership between Andron and Social Bite, and Legre’s story clearly demonstrates this shared ethos.

 

Immigration issues lead to homelessness

Legre was a qualified teacher of maths and French grammar in Ivory Coast, but his life took an unexpected turn when he immigrated to the UK. He faced immigration issues that prevented him from working, but he remained hopeful and determined to build a stable life.

As well as being a teacher, Legre also had experience as a security officer at large events of up to 20,000 people, ensuring safety by searching for weapons and checking IDs. He’d worked as a cleaner, too. But for ten years, Legre had to report to immigration instead of working. It left him in a tough situation with no money to rent a room or support himself.

A London-based charity called 999 Club stepped in. They helped Legre find a job by introducing him to , Social Bite’s Jobs First Development and Support Worker. “I’ve been working with Andron for over two years and their support towards our Jobs First employees has always been amazing,” Alessio commented.

 

An opportunity with Andron

Through the Jobs First programme, Legre secured a role with Andron. He began his new role as a cleaner in The Crown Estate Buildings. He immediately appreciated the work, finding it easy due to his previous experience. His responsibilities included maintaining and cleaning historic buildings, offices, communal areas, and receptions. Legre’s days were busy, making time pass quickly and bringing a sense of fulfilment and pride in his work.

“If you’re busy, you don’t see the time fly past – it’s good to be busy. When you’re working, suddenly it’s the end of the day,” Legre said.

 

Teamwork makes the dream work

Elvira, a facilities manager and supervisor at Andron for 18 years, played a crucial role in integrating Legre into the company. She treated Legre with great kindness and recalls how, in the first month, she brought the team together to share food with Legre and welcome him into the team. She was moved by Legre’s story and wanted to ensure he had the support he needed.

“Legre is very important to me; I give him everything to make sure he’s comfortable and safe,” Elvira said.

The support Legre received from his co-workers was amazing. They appreciated his hard work and dedication even more when they realised he was much older than them! Within three months, Legre was nominated as cleaner of the month. His flexibility and willingness to help others made him a highly valued team member.

“People I work for are very, very supportive. I’ve been really loved by all the people I work with,” Legre said. He acknowledges the importance of teamwork, noting that working together made the job easier and more enjoyable. “If you work like a team, it’s better,” he added.

“I always receive excellent feedback about Legre,” Alessio commented. “Not only about his performance at work, but also as a human being! He’s been welcomed to Andron like a new member of the family and treated as such. They helped him to integrate and progress within his role, but they also provided support in his personal life when he faced issues.”

 

A stable job brings independence

Legre’s job at Andron brought stability back into his life. The regular income allowed him to rent a room and look forward to a brighter future. He dreams of returning to Ivory Coast to become a farmer, using land he has there, but he also hopes to maintain his ties with the UK.

Despite the difficulties he’s faced, Legre’s resilience and ability to quickly learn and adapt have helped him succeed and grow in his role. He’s even taken on new duties, like managing waste and preparing reports for Elvira.

Reflecting on his journey, Legre said he would tell anyone in a situation like his to embrace opportunities offered by Andron.

“In my experience, all the people here are friendly. In your working environment, if the people are good and smiley, it makes the day of work better and easier for you. It’s a very good environment to work in. I would recommend people to come,” he said.

 

Supportive working environments can change someone’s life

Elvira shares Legre’s feelings, emphasising the need for more companies to open their doors to people facing similar challenges. She’s proud of the impact Jobs First has had, not just on individuals like Legre, but on the entire work culture.

“People need to open their hearts more. Lots of people around me learned that anyone can be a great employee, do a fantastic job, and feel 100% safe,” she explained.

The power of the Jobs First programme is only clear when it’s delivered through a values-driven company like Andron. With the right support and opportunities, people can become valuable, committed employees, whatever their background.