Building Better Opportunities programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF) who are co-investing £5,044,000 in local projects tackling the root causes of worklessness, promoting social inclusion and driving local jobs and growth.
Community Matters is one of four projects within the programme and the Black Country programme will help those in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell move into employment by developing their skills and confidence.
The project will be delivered by the Heart of England Community Foundation in conjunction with 23 local partner agencies across the region that provide tailored support to improve the lives, living conditions and raise the aspirations of marginalised individuals.
The partners, who have already been procured, are; Access to Business, Age UK Walsall, Ashley Community Housing Ltd, Bilston Resource Centre, Black Country Housing Group, Dudley Caribbean and Friends Association, Groundwork West Midlands, Home Start Dudley, Ideal For All, Just Straight Talk, Kids in Communication, Manor Farm Community Association, Refugee and Migrant Centre, Remploy, SEWA Centre Ltd, Summit House Support, SWEDA, TLC College, Walsall Adult and Community College, Walsall Housing Group, WELL Associates, Workers Educational Association (WEA) and Zebra Access.
Target areas in all four boroughs have been identified, and some of the project’s activities will be delivered across the Black Country while others will take a more localised approach, focusing on a specific borough, town or estate.
Activities will include basic skills training and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), accredited training, weekly jobs clubs, employment/self-employment information sessions, targeted employability programmes and literacy, numeracy and financial skills workshops.