Hundreds of people are being offered personalised help to find work by community groups in Brighton and Hove, councillors were told yesterday afternoon (Monday 13 March).
The Routes project – offering “routes into employment” – is helping people who are over 18 and long-term unemployed or economically inactive to become more employable.
Those being helped – some of them from the poorer parts of the area – are being given computer training, lessons to improve their English and work placements.
Routes is led by Community Works in collaboration with four widely respected local partners – the Hangleton and Knoll Project, Whitehawk Inn, the Bridge and the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).
Jayne Ross, from Community Works, which supports local voluntary sector groups, spoke about the project and the £412,000 funding that it has been awarded.
Miss Ross told members of Brighton and Hove City Council that the Routes project had won funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the European Union’s European Social Fund. The EU money was brokered by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
The aim of the project is to help at least 240 people into work by February 2019 in cases where intensive support may be needed.
Miss Ross thanked Brighton and Hove Buses for the support that it had given with transport and travel costs.
She said that the project welcomed support from other businesses, particularly those able to offer 12-week internships or work opportunities.
And she told members of the council’s Neighboourhoods, Communities and Equalities Committee: “Our work builds on existing community activity and brings together the benefits of shared learning and partnership expertise to have maximum impact.
“This is an opportunity to make a real difference, providing new and much-needed services for individuals who might find it hard to access support for reasons including health, social, geographical and financial.
“Routes offers a high-quality confidential service that is focused on respecting individual needs, overcoming barriers to employment and increasing employment opportunities.
“We take a positive, friendly and person-centred approach to working in local communities and our dedicated Routes advisers will build long-term relationships to nurture participants every step of the way.
“We are supporting 240 people in Brighton and Hove, particularly in the communities of Hangleton and Knoll, Moulsecoomb, and Whitehawk.
“The WEA is supporting people in the areas of Worthing, Littlehampton, Selsey and Bognor.”
