Local charity Trust Links has been awarded a Community Grant to fund a new project will provide employment support to unemployed adults with mental health problems and mild learning disabilities in Southend.
The Roots to Work project will support participants over the course of 20 weeks. The project will provide keyworker support, employability workshops and a job club. It will also support participants to access a range of services including support with housing, debt, and financial management. In addition, support with self-care and presentation skills, work experience opportunities, and accredited vocational training will enable participants to build the skills and confidence they need to secure employment, or a volunteering or training opportunity, at the end of the programme.
CXK has awarded the grant through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) under their Community Grants Scheme via European Social Fund funding (ESF). CXK will be allocating grants of more than £600,000 in total over the course of the next year; grants which are available organisations which help those furthest from the job market improve their skills and/or get into work or training.
The Southend area has the highest rate of people accessing specialist mental health services in the East of England. Those people can experience depression, anxiety and psychotic illness. The Roots to Work project has been developed in response to these needs; providing opportunities to support wellbeing and recovery, and to help people progress into employment.
Matt King, Chief Executive at Trust Links, said; “The Roots to Work project at Trust Links, funded by ESF and administered by CXK, is already proving to be a life changing project for adults with mental health issues in Southend.
“There are twenty members on the course who are learning new skills, meeting new people and gaining qualifications. As a result they build confidence and progress towards employment. The Growing Together community garden is a great setting for this; it provides a welcoming and supportive environment with a range of practical gardening and building activities.”
Trust Links is a local independent charity for wellbeing and mental health based in south east Essex. To find out more, visit: trustlinks.org.
