New boost for long-term Middlesbrough jobless

Jun 12 2007 By The Journal

The recently-launched New Ways to Opportunities project, which is being supported by the North-East Employer Coalition (NEEC), is already having huge success with 130 clients signed up in less than three months.

Following its formal launch in February, the programme - which is being delivered in Middlesbrough by The Shaw Trust, in partnership with Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities and Mental Health Matters - is focusing exclusively on helping the 9,900-plus people in receipt of incapacity benefits back into education, training and employment.

With 130 individuals now supported by the scheme, a number of whom attended the launch event, it is clear to see the programme is making a positive impact on the lives of incapacity benefit claimants in the region. Of these clients, four have already progressed into unpaid work and three into paid work. One of this group had been unemployed for 26 years.

Joe O'Donnell, project manager, said: "Working in partnership with voluntary and community organisations enables the flexibility to put together an individual back to work plan for every person who walks through the door.

"There is an enormous buzz in our office because everyone is so excited. Partnership working is the way forward for Middlesbrough and the rest of the country."

The New Ways to Opportunities project is helping a range of incapacity benefit recipients, including those with long-term health problems to get back into work without the fear of suddenly losing their income.

Egizia Crabbe, director of Tees Valley NEEC, said: "We are pleased to support Joe O'Donnell and his team for the delivery of this project. Links are being developed with various employers in areas such as taxi driving and security and the support of more local businesses in offering work placements and taster sessions is vital to the success of the programme."

The 18-month pilot has been funded by central government through the Northern Way Growth Initiative to test how successful the wider voluntary community sector organisations are in engaging with and supporting this client group.

New Ways to Opportunities is available to anyone who has been claiming non means-tested incapacity benefit for two years or more.