A further project is due to launch in January (2017):

•Towards Work – £7.4m for a programme primarily supporting men aged 50-plus, 18 to 24-year-olds, and women returning to work or who have never worked into employment and economic activity. Participants will include people from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities; those with mental health challenges; people with disabilities; homeless people; and those with substance misuse issues. It will include helping people to tackle potential work barriers such as a lack of transport, having a disability, living in an isolated or rural area, or having low or outdated skills. Groundwork will lead 23 organisations across the D2N2 LEP area to achieve its goal. The programme will be led by Groundwork Greater Nottingham.

It’s estimated the three projects will ultimately help 5,650 participants in the D2N2 area. The aim is for half these to be women, and high proportions aged over 50 and people with disabilities.

Projects must be delivered in the area covered by the D2N2 LEP – Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – and completed by December 2019.

Peter Richardson, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Unemployment for some people can last months or even years, and tackling it requires a multi-layered approach. There can be a whole range of domestic, educational and social reasons stopping someone from finding a job.

“It is an issue which must be addressed, as moving someone into useful employment not only improves one life but a whole family’s and, to some extent, the whole economy. D2N2 is committed to inclusive economic growth, which is why we are investing heavily in creating sustainable jobs through major programmes such as Building Better Opportunities.”

Commenting on Framework’s Opportunity and Change programme Claire Eden, Head of Employment and Special Projects at the charity, added: “This is much more than an employment programme. It is fundamentally about improving the lives of individuals and also bringing benefits to the communities they live in.

“People may ask why we are dedicating such resources to a relatively small group of people, but the potential benefits far outstrip the investment that is being made here. By reducing people’s isolation, tackling their substance misuse or offending we are also bringing considerable savings to the public purse.”

Jo Bradley-Fortune, Executive Director at Groundwork Greater Nottingham, said: “At Groundwork we are excited about working with our community and statutory partners to provide a needs-led service, to move people affected by long term unemployment and barriers closer to the job market.”

Debbie Webster, Manager of St Ann’s Advice Group, added: “Our project is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to some of the most financially excluded people, improving their financial wellbeing and money management skills; with a tailored package of support for each person, with a dedicated ‘Personal Navigator’. We are really excited about the difference this project can make.”

For further information about how the D2N2 LEP is using its European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to grow its area’s economy and job numbers see its web link at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding.

POSTED 22.12.16 - Evaluation and Participation Partner - Tender Opportunity

St Anns Advice Group (SAAG) is seeking to procure and work with an additional partner organisation to contribute to our Building Better Opportunities (BBO) Financial Inclusion Project by enabling Project participants to get involved and play a full role in how the service is developed, delivered, managed and governed.

We are fully committed to ensuring that participants have every opportunity to shape and influence how the Project develops and how it works at both operational and governance levels. In order to achieve our goals for the Project and for individual participants we believe it is essential that participants are fully involved at all stages and at all levels.

Please click on link above for full Tender details.

Any queries please contact: Debbie.Webster@stannsadvice.org.uk