A multi-million pound grant awarded to Swansea Council to enable people with long-term illnesses or disabilities get into the jobs market is beginning to make an impact.
Participants involved in the pioneering project are already saying it’s been a big boost to their confidence and hopes for the future because they’re getting training and education or jobs and that’s helping them lead more independent lives.
The Creating Opportunities and Skills Teams Alliance known as The Coastal Project is already delivering services across the six Local Authority areas of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Bridgend and Ceredigion. The scheme is supported by the EU’s European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Assembly Government.
In Swansea it is providing over £5 million of funding targeted at opportunities for people currently unemployed as a result of serious and enduring illness or disability or social disadvantage.
One of the centres involved is Swansea Council’s Cwmbwrla Day Centre which provides day services for those who have experienced mental health difficulties.
Centre Manager Gary Sheaf said: “The ESF funding through COASTAL has enabled mental health day services in Swansea to provide additional educational opportunities such as practical courses in dry stone walling, cob building and car maintenance that has allowed service users to develop new skills along side academic courses.”
COASTAL funding has enabled Swansea Council’s Work Development Service to develop a range of work-related projects for adults with a learning disability according to service manager Debora Webb.
This is helping provide over 100 places a week for adults with a learning disability to learn work skills, gain qualifications and increase their independence, confidence and self esteem.
Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, said that COASTAL is directly addressing the skills needs of disadvantaged communities across South West Wales.
She said: “It’s vital that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to raising economic prosperity and that individuals are able to develop the skills they need to become part of the workforce. COASTAL tackles the barriers that prevent people from entering the labour market and sustaining long term employment through a range of targeted measures. It helps thousands of people across the region.”
The Work Development Service is also responsible for the successful Neighbourhood Environment Action Teams which help clean up streets and communities throughout the city and this service is going from strength to strength.
Feedback from service users includes the following remarks:
* “People in the community now see me in a good way.”
* “I travel to work myself, I’m independent and getting paid.”
* “I’m really enjoying being outside, working and contributing.”
Set to take place over the next four and a half years the project has been part-funded by £27 million from the European Social Fund, (ESF) as part of the European Union’s 2007 to 2013 West Wales & the Valleys Convergence Programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The remaining £25 million matched funding is being provided by the Local Authorities and their third sector and independent sector service providers.
Swansea Coastal Project will be holding an information day at Cwmbwrla Day Centre on April 20 from 10am to 3pm to mark the scheme’s success and to encourage more agencies to get on board.
The event will showcase the current range of activities and give people the opportunity to see the benefits of participation in the project.
People should contact Project Manager Helen Evans on 07901 103852 or [email protected] for more information on the Coastal Project in the Swansea area and its training and employment opportunities or to confirm attendance at the Information Day.
