The project, called Unlimited Potential (UP), has received the funding from the Solent Supporting Employment (SSE) Programme. The SSE programme is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), local authority match funding and donors from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), through which the programme is managed.
Project UP will offer employment and wellbeing training and support to people in Eastleigh. As well as regular one-to-one bespoke support with an employment advisor, access to a career’s hub and a regular drop-in service at a local job club, the project will help people:
- Professionalise their CV.
- Search and apply for roles.
- Take part in mock interviews.
- Deliver Anxiety and wellbeing sessions.
- Understand and use mindfulness techniques.
For anyone wanting to explore the opportunity of setting up their own business, we also have our Create self-employment course. All Create participants benefit from training followed by two-years of support, with access to highly skilled business mentors, regular business support clubs, marketplace events, continued training, and a dedicated Facebook page.
Chris Adams, Employment Support and Training Manager at Abri, said: “This project has already provided life changing support in Gosport, Portsmouth and Southampton, helping the people most in need to overcome challenges and improve their long-term job prospects. As well as helping improve people’s immediate wellbeing, these projects will help participants address the root causes of long-term unemployment.
“We’re pleased to be able to extend this support to those living in Eastleigh. We’ve invested £15m over the next five years in our communities that need it the most, to improve their health and wellbeing, increase employment opportunities, and empower communities.”
Jacqui Scott, Chief Executive of HIWCF, says: “We are delighted to be working with the European Social Fund, together with our local authorities across Hampshire, to provide this vital opportunity to help and encourage local people into employment. Our communities have been hugely impacted by Covid-19 over the past 18 months and the grant funding from the SSE Programme is enabling organisations such as Abri to increase the prospects of vulnerable local people, making a lasting difference to their lives. I would like to thank our funding partners and our HIWCF donors for their support, as our work would not be possible without their generosity.”
