£3 million fund to help improve job prospects of those in need in Northamptonshire

Communities all over Northamptonshire can apply for a share of £3 million funding to help people in need develop their skills and overcome the barriers that stop them getting into work, education and training.

The EU and the Big Lottery fund want to improve social inclusion and are working with Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP) to provide investment in local projects to tackle deprivation.

Projects will provide opportunities for people to improve numeracy, literacy and digital skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and better understand and manage their finances. Extra support will be given to people who may need it to find work including those with disabilities, mental health or addiction issues, those who are homeless, ex-offenders and people living in isolated rural areas.

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Organisations can now apply for funding to deliver these projects.

Both the Big Lottery and NEP are keen to encourage collaborative partnership bids to ensure that activity is delivered in a co-ordinated and effective manner.

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire is hosting two events this week for those organisations wishing to lead a consortium in a funding bid and others who prefer to join a consortium as a prospective partner.

The dates for the events are, for prospective leads, Wednesday, June 10, from 2pm to 4pm, and for prospective partners on Friday, June 12, from 2pm to 4pm.

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The venue for both events is NEP, 30 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5DG

Sajeeda Rose, NEP chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Big Lottery Fund as their investment will really help those that need extra support to find work in Northamptonshire. The funding will help local schemes to deliver support, helping our people access employment.”

Across England, 71 projects have been announced today with a total of £174,521,600 available. This represents the first round of this funding and involves 25 LEP areas. Further investment is expected to be delivered over the next few years, taking the total number of LEP areas with projects to 37.

For more information and to register to attend the events, which is essential, go to: www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/events

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Full details of all the project outlines in this round are available at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/esf

Further funding opportunities will be available in autumn 2015. To be kept informed on the latest Building Better Opportunities news register at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/esf.