This project addresses the issues surrounding worklessness.
It recognises that economic and social deprivation is often
not just the lack of suitable work, but rather the result of
complex inter-related factors including health.
Beneficiaries are signposted to activities that will help them
gain employment. Dedicated one-to-one support is offered
in compiling CVs; job searches; completing application
forms; interview techniques and debt management
services. Volunteer participants receive support to remove
health issues where they present a barrier to gaining
employment as well as practical financial support for the
purchase of interview clothes and travel costs.
Derbyshire County PCT initially worked with local residents
of the Rother ward and the CHART Local Strategic
Partnership to address a number of health-related issues.
The partnership then grew to include: The Coalfields
Regeneration Trust; Job Centre Plus; Connexions; Social
Services; local police and schools; Councillors; Sure Start
and local authorities. Many other voluntary and community
groups such as the Credit Union, Hunloke Community
Garden and the Fruit and Vegetable Co-operative have
been involved in supporting the work either through direct
service provision or referral of individuals to the project.
At December 2007, over 1,000 people in the area have
benefited from the project with 293 people helped into
work, some of whom have been out of work for 15 years.
In the words of one participants, now a champion for
Communities that Work: “I feel as if my life has got some
value to it now. I am not just a piece of debris that’s been
left on the sidelines of society now. I’m back into work and
I’m doing a rewarding job which is helping people, so I feel
I am contributing and giving something back.”
For more information on this project, please contact:
Sandra.johnson@derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk
