Does your group want to help people overcome barriers and gain the skills and confidence to get back into work? Nearly £2m is available to be given out over the next two years in the North West as ESF Community Learning Grants.
These are grants up to a maximum of £12,000 available to support some of the hardest to reach communities and individuals, to help people access further learning or training that could lead to employment. The funding can be applied for by small community and voluntary groups, registered charities & social enterprises, with preference given to organisations with a turnover of no more than £300,000 per year in each of the last 2 years.
The grants can support a wide range of activities including:
- Initial help with basic skills
- Taster work experience including voluntary work
- Training, advice and counselling
- Job search assistance
- Confidence building and personal development
- Support to individuals to overcome barriers to learning or employment
The programme is aimed at all people out of work, or those recently made redundant, but with a particular priority given to support for:
- People with disabilities or health conditions (including those with learning difficulties, mental health issues or drug and alcohol dependency problems)
- People aged 50 or over and seeking employment
- People from ethnic minorities
- Women
- Lone parents
The programme for the North West is being managed by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), in partnership with Community Matters and Locality, and the first of several rounds has just been launched, with a closing date of 5pm on Friday 6 January 2012.
Briefing events will be held in Liverpool on 25 November 2011. Places are limited – book through www.eventbrite.co.uk – links on the WEA NW website.
The application guidance notes and application form for the 1st Round of ESF Community Learning Grants are now downloadable from the WEA website or email ESFgrants@wea.org.uk or ring 0161 277 5411.