More funding to support unemployed people back into work

The More Positive Together project has received a funding boost from the European Social Fund to help local unemployed people into work. The partnership is led by Active Lancashire (and partners), to deliver the programme across Lancashire.

The funding received will mean the project can continue its aim to help break down barriers for people to access employment, creating more opportunities for people in Blackburn with Darwen to receive support into training and employment.

Blackburn with Darwen Council have delivered the More Positive Together (MPT) project since July 2020. Over 120 people with challenging life circumstances have been mentored to boost their confidence, improve their wellbeing and help them to move closer to employment. This was particularly challenging at that time, as people dealt with the impacts of Covid-19.

Councillor Jackie Floyd, Acting Executive Member for Adults Services said:

I am proud of the Adult & Health team who have secured this important funding for helping with Employability support. We know our communities well & Covid has affected many. To maintain the economic vibrancy and growth of Blackburn with Darwen we will ensure there are opportunities for all, including those with multiple challenges.

People are able to develop their skills through a range of training courses, from construction and warehousing to health and social care. Blackburn with Darwen is showing some signs of economic recovery, at the height of the pandemic there were approximately 7,700 universal credit claimants this has now reduced to 6,200 claimants in October 2021 (Labour Market Intelligence Reports, October 2021).

Residents who have been supported by the project said:

Going onto this project has allowed me to get my old life back! – Sajid

I am so thankful for the help I have received, I now believe I can have the career I want helping people. – Michael

The new funding boost will extend the More Positive Together project to December 2023.
In addition, new funding has been secured to help people who have recently become unemployed, through the MPT STEPS project (working with Active Lancashire), to engage with over 4,000 people who are out of work from across Lancashire.
This will seek to address the issues faced by disadvantaged communities in getting back into employment because of the pandemic. The two projects will provide tailored 1-2-1 mentoring support to residents living in Lancashire, with the opportunity to engage in a range of activities to improve overall health and wellbeing.

To get support or find out more about the More Positive Together project, please visit www.blackburn.gov.uk/mpt contact (01254) 304592 or email: mpt@blackburn.gov.uk