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Paying Your Way Projects 2011-13
Helping People into Employment
Web Portal of local opportunities and support.
Targeting services through Work Clubs.
Rapid Response to Redundancy.
Jobs and Training Fair(s).
Supporting opportunities on new development schemes.
Boosting business opportunities and growth.
Removing Barriers to Work Clubs.
Financial Well-being
Developing Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Credit Union (CNEDCU).
Improving Access to Financial Services.
Affordable Warmth and Fuel Poverty Strategy.
Money Matters
Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire Credit Union (CNEDCU) provides loans and savings services to residents and workers in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire. CNEDCU are a vital service in the area’s attempts to mitigate the effects of the current financial situation and give people access to affordable credit . Interest rates of 26.8% compare favourably to the thousands of percent charged by doorstep lenders and loan sharks.
Visit http://www.chesterfieldsl.co.uk/ to find out what makes the Credit Union different, or find them on Facebook. Check out the free online money management service to members and read about their plans for community collection points in Grangewood and Loundsley Green. The main collection point in Chesterfield’s Theatre Yard has had new signage and re-branding.
The message from CNEDCU is clear: “Come in and talk to us about your financial situation - we are here to help.” To speak to Karen or the CNEDCU volunteers call 01246 278833 or
e-mail karen.cnedcu@live.co.uk.
Case story - Mr & Mrs R, Clay Cross
“ We had taken out a loan with the bank when my husband was working. A year into the loan he was made redundant and we couldn’t afford the repayments. We asked the bank for help—it took several months and much paperwork to get the payments reduced, interest was charged on the overdraft with an extra “user charge” on top. We were treated like dirt and the whole experience left us feeling demoralised and vulnerable. I had walked past the Credit Union on many occasions and decided to call in to see exactly what they do. They were helpful, friendly and supportive and told us that by becoming members and saving a small amount on a regular basis, we could apply for loans at an affordable interest rate with repayments tailored to our budget. We are now able to meet difficult times like car repairs, or domestic appliance breakdown knowing that we can take out a loan if necessary to meet the cost. We even had a loan for a holiday last year—which was the first we had for a long time.”
Why not become a “Friend of CNEDCU” and help them with an annual donation or volunteer some of your time? Tel: Karen on 01246 278833
North Derbyshire Jobs & Training Fair 2011
Eager job seekers were queuing long before the event started at our Annual Jobs and Training Fair at the Winding Wheel on 29th September. Geoff A. Evans wrote to the Derbyshire Times to say “I was totally amazed by the vast array of businesses and organisations offering help and advice in these uncertain times”.
492 members of the public attended during the day visiting 47 stallholders, who represented 50 different organisations who operate in our area.
Figures show stalls received 1591 enquiries on the day and 396 of them are being followed up by partners. Some partners are starting to recruit people and we will keep you updated on news about people getting jobs or training and other outcomes they were seeking on the day, through case stories provided by a range of partners.
A new employer to the area, Turning Point, took part in a live broadcast on BBC Radio Sheffield alongside our own Steve Lee. Turning Point are currently building a new hospital (Recovery Point) at Mastin Moor, and recruiting for 90 jobs starting in the summer, ranging from gardening work through to medical professionals. They were also offering casual work in the meantime and several employers had jobs up for grabs.
We followed some people’s progress at the event which showed that better outcomes were achieved as people were instantly able to access key services on the day. As we re-interviewed people, we noticed their outlook became more positive as they found out about practical help and support available.
We also asked some members of the public to tell us about the event susing an interactive Standpoint survey: The majority of respondents were claiming Job Seekers Allowance and said they found out about job vacancies, training, volunteering and advice on looking for work; 74% thought a web based information portal of information all in one place would be useful to them; 61% said they would be interested in attending a work club and 74% said they would attend another event.
Get Britain Working
Prime Contractors Announced
A4E Ltd. and Ingeus UK Ltd. have been named as the two preferred bidders to deliver the Work Programme in this region. As Prime Contractors they have the freedom to deliver support by purchasing of services through sub contractors, who will be paid by results by helping the hardest to help off benefits and into work. They work with a variety of partners from the third, public and private sectors who provide end-to-end services across a particular geographical area; specialist services for particular client groups; and skills providers who offer vocational training and accredited courses. Local subcontractors include SEETEC and DNCC and strategic relationships are being built with local partners.
According to Ingeus, the type of services they seek to purchase from partners include:
· Employability support for specific groups such as BMEs, those with disabilities, lone parents, over-50s and 18-24 year olds;
· Self-employment support;
· Work Experience and voluntary placements;
· Specialist support for personal and behavioural issues;
· Advice and support on issues such as housing, debt and addiction;
· Employer routeways;
· In work support.
The Programme began in June when the first customers were referred from Jobcentre Plus.
Partners can submit expressions of interest on their websites to join their partner network and become a preferred supplier for forthcoming tender opportunities, run through mini-competitions for particular contracts.
For further information visit www.mya4e.com and www.ingeus.co.uk .
More Work Clubs up and running!
The Clay Cross Work Club led by Derbyshire County Council continues to flourish, providing support, like CV writing, interview and job search techniques. Following our appeal for partner support we are pleased that Rykneld Homes and Clay Cross Job Centre are helping to deliver the club by encouraging staff to offer guidance to the local community. The Club meets every Wednesday from 9.30am to 12pm at Clay Cross Adult Education Centre, Market Street, Clay Cross, S45 9JE.
Meanwhile, the Family Employment Initiative now run a drop-in Work Club from the Staveley Centre, Middlecroft Road, Staveley, S43 3NQ every Friday between 9am and 12.30pm, offering a range of advice and job seeking support. Already running successful Work Clubs in other former coalfield areas, FEI are regularly attracting 18 people from the local area after 3 weeks of operation.
61% of respondents at the Jobs & Training Fair said that they would be interested in attening a Work Club and JCP are supporting agencies interested in establishing a club in their area. Although there is no central funding available to run the clubs, partners are asked to advise if they would be willing to host or contribute to a work club, e.g. advising of services provided as a one-off presentation, ongoing support such as CV writing, or providing a a co-ordinating role. Please contact the LSP office if you are able to help.
CHART LSP is currently in correspondence with JCP regarding their recently advertised Flexible Support Fund to see if a partnership bid for resources to support Work Clubs is feasible.
Bigger, Better Business
Another key Government initiative Bigger, Better Business aims to transform help and access to information and business advice to start ups and small and medium sized businesses to grow and prosper. The changes also mark the closure of Business Link regional advisory service in November 2011.
The modernisation programme features:
- Helping Business Start ups through an online Business Start up hub, including a Contracts Finder;
- A telephone Contact Centre, and highly specialist advisors for businesses in crisis;
- Help for start ups, including a New Enterprise Allowance for unemployed people of more than six months;
- Business Mentors Gateway and Business Coaching for Growth;
- Tailored action to raise entrepreneurial activity amongst women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Groups and Armed Services leavers, including removing barriers to self-employment in housing tenancies;
We know that many partners are already delivering aspects of this new agenda, under different guises, and CHART LSP is keen to embrace all good practice into our Flagship project development, for more effective collaborative working to create a lasting impact in this area.
Enterprising Times
On 19th April 2011 the LSP Team attended Jobcentre Plus’ multi-agency meeting to discuss the development of Enterprise Clubs across the county. Part of the “Get Britain Working” initiative, Enterprise Clubs aim to support the development of a network of locally led, community based clubs who provide unemployed people (of any age) interested in self employment with a place to meet and exchange skills, make contacts, share experiences and receive support and encourage each other to work through their business ideas.
The meeting discussed existing local support to new business development, gaps, where resources could be shared locally, and marketing opportunities. Jobcentre Plus would like at least three Enterprise Clubs to operate in Derbyshire before the end of the year, one covering the north of the county (CHART and Bolsover LSP areas).
Information for those interested in setting up or supporting an Enterprise Club can be found via the following link: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/enterprise-clubs/. Please also advise the LSP Team, as this work will directly link in the Paying Your Way Flagship activity.
For more information visit the BIS website.
Further Funding Success
Wheels to Work Derbyshire, hosted by Rural Action Derbyshire, has secured a further grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to continue its work of getting people to work and training where transport was a barrier.
The new grant means that moped loan, bicycles and help with public transport costs are all available to eligible individuals from October 2011 until the end of March 2013 in the former coalfields areas. This is good news for Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, as many of their residents now have access to help with travel costs to interviews, as well as getting to their work or training placements. This help can make the difference between being able to take up a job or training opportunity and having to decline it.
The recent job opportunities at Sports Direct in Shirebrook have shown just how vital transport is when moving back into work. Early morning starts and late finishes could prevent many people from being able to take advantage of the jobs at Shirebrook, but Wheels to Work, Jobcentre Plus and Community Transport for Town and Country are working together to try to ensure those offered work can physically get there to meet the shift patterns.
As well as Wheels to Work, Derbyshire County Council has also awarded funding to RAD for a Wheels to Learn project to be delivered across the county. This project can cover transport costs for young people, 16- 25 years old, wanting to access any kind of learning, including short courses and apprenticeships. There is a limit of £100 maximum per person and anyone wanting to find out more ahould call Sandie or Helen at the Wheels to Work Office.
Project Manager: Sandie Abberley, Rural Action Derbyshire, Church Street, Wirksworth, DE44EY, Telephone:01629821923 Email: W2W@ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk
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