New funding to help people into employment

Applications are being invited to deliver a new £4.5m programme designed to support local people to develop work skills and secure employment.

Provided through the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the ‘INSPIRE Local’ programme is set to help those having trouble finding work due to disabilities or health conditions, having little or no work experience (young and older), living in isolated or rural areas, or living in areas with high levels of social exclusion.

People taking part in the INSPIRE Local Programme will receive:-

• A two week support programme, including help with motivation and creating a plan of action; which could include work experience, further training, health and well-being support, and access to addiction treatment programmes;
• An assigned mentor who will work with individuals for up to a year to support progress with their action plan;
• Funding for individual’s additional needs; such as extra equipment needed to enable someone to undertake work experience;
• Mentoring support for up to six months once people are in employment; and practical help with things such as travel costs, work equipment and extra training.
• Complementary help to enable people to progress further once they have completed their programme (which may take up to a year).

INSPIRE Local aims to help at least a quarter (25%) of participants into sustainable employment.

Applications to deliver the programme will be reviewed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which is providing matched funding for and managing the INSPIRE Local programme for D2N2. The deadline for applications is Tuesday June 14 (2016).

Successful applicants will be expected to start delivering INSPIRE Local by the end of 2016. Funding will be available for them for up to three years.

Free information sessions for organisations wanting to bid to deliver INSPIRE Local will be held this month (May), where they can learn about the priorities of D2N2’s ESF programme.

In Chesterfield there will be a session at Casa Hotel from 10am to 2pm on Monday 16th May, with lunch provided. The event is free to attend but places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book a place online go to www.d2n2lep.org/Events; or contact Hannah Gamble, at the D2N2 LEP, on email: hannah.gamble@d2n2lep.org

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “INSPIRE Local aims to help people overcome the barriers they may face to finding sustainable employment; whether domestic, educational, social or other issues.

“By providing in-depth support tailored to individuals’ needs and circumstances, the programme can help people find and retain sustainable employment; supporting individuals, families and the wider economy.

“INSPIRE Local is one of a series of D2N2 programmes aimed at helping people move towards and into work, and progress in the employment market.”

Funding for INSPIRE Local will be provided through the European Social Fund (ESF) – part of the €250million European Structural and Investment Funds allocated to D2N2 to grow its area’s economy. D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and volunteer groups, and others which works to promote economic growth and create jobs in its area.

Further information regarding the contract opportunity is available on the Gov.UK website at www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/49150ea3-b2d0-460a-9efc-3b349d7edd63.

For further information regarding the D2N2 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programme, please visit the D2N2 ESIF website at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding OR contact Richard Kirkland, at the D2N2 LEP, on email: Richard.kirkland@d2n2lep.org