Solent organisations helping people to overcome employment barriers encouraged to apply for share of £1.76m

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has launched its new £1.76m Solent Supporting Employment programme, to give out grants of between £30,000 and £60,000 to groups that can work with individuals to increase potential job prospects, including those from BAME communities, people with disabilities, and people with mental health issues and those facing homelessness.

Grant Cornwell MBE, chief executive, said: ‘HIWCF is delighted to be implementing the ‘Solent Supporting Employment’ Programme, providing vital opportunities for those in need in our local

communities to find their way into work.

‘This will really increase job prospects for disadvantaged people, just at the right time as we emerge from lockdown and the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the local labour market is becoming clearer.’

The programme, created by Solent LEP in response to the call issued by the Department of Work and Pensions, and part-funded by the European Social Fund, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and HIWCF donors, will run for three years.

Mr Cornwell added: ‘This significant new programme will offer people the life chances that they deserve, and we are extremely grateful to all involved in this partnership including our HIWCF donors, as it is thanks to their extensive support that this project is possible.’

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A previous two-year community grant programme run by HIWCF, a charitable trust, in 2016 saw more than 52 per cent of participants move on to employment, go on to education or training, start volunteering opportunities or begin looking for work after the projects had finished.

Two online briefings about the Solent Supporting Employment programme will take place on August 18 and 25 to provide more information for organisations wanting to apply.

Groups in the Solent LEP area should send in applications before the deadline on September 16.

To sign up to the online briefings visit hiwcf.com/donation/solent-supporting-employment and to apply for the grants visit hiwcf.com/grants

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