Abri, one of the south of England’s largest housing providers, has been awarded the funding for Project UP (Unlimited Potential). The project will re-start in Southampton in September, and the funding will support it to continue until February 2023.
The funding is from the Support 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.
“We’re really pleased to receive more funding for Project UP. The project has allowed us to provide life changing support, helping those people most in need to overcome challenges and improve their long-term job prospects,” says Chris Adams, Employment and Training Manager at Abri.
“Previous funding from HIWCF for Project UP has allowed us to support 25 people in Southampton, and 36 other people in Portsmouth, Gosport and Eastleigh. As well as helping improve people’s immediate wellbeing, these projects will help participants address the root causes of long-term unemployment.
“To support those not ready or able to commit to full-time employment, or wanting to explore the opportunity of setting up their own business, we’ll provide places on our Create self-employment course, to be delivered by our dedicated team online.
“We’ll also be running a fortnightly job club, which will provide a place for our Employment Support Advisors to meet participants face to face,” he adds.
Project UP offers employment and wellbeing training and support, as well as regular, bespoke one-to-one support with an employment advisor and access to a job club. The courses help people:
- Professionalise their CV
- Search and apply for roles
- Take part in mock interviews
- Attend anxiety and wellbeing sessions
- Understand and use mindfulness techniques
Jacqui Scott, Chief Executive of HIWCF, says: “HIWCF is delighted to be extending its support for Abri’s Project UP with a grant of £24,000. This employment and training programme will have a huge impact on residents from low-income communities, and particularly on residents who may have multiple barriers to employment. This project is part of a wider three year and £1.76 million Solent Supporting Employment Grant Programme which is providing grants of between £30,000 – £60,000 to local organisations in the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area, to help individuals facing complex barriers to employment, particularly where deprivation and unemployment are high.”
