More people in Leeds to be helped into work with new £700k funding

Managed by Leeds City Council’s employment and skills service, the programme will help over 500 residents find jobs, access training, manage health issues and overcome barriers to work.

Seventeen voluntary community and social enterprise organisations have been successful in their applications for funding, addressing a broad spectrum of health conditions including mental health, musculoskeletal or cardiovascular conditions, as well as disabilities including learning disabilities.

By providing integrated health support alongside employment support, projects will help residents progress towards finding employment.

Aphasia Support, one of the organisations receiving funding, supports people with a language disorder that often occurs after a stroke or head injury. The project will support 24 people with aphasia to improve their ability to communicate and move closer to employment or volunteering.

Another organisation awarded funding is LATCH, who purchases rundown houses and refurbishes them, providing homes to people who are homeless or in need of housing. Their refurbishment sites are a supportive environment where young people can learn a wide variety of trade skills such as joinery, kitchen fitting and tiling, and skills like timekeeping and teamwork.

The funding is part of the Government’s trailblazer programme and is administered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board as part of the Healthy Working Life programme.  

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “We work hard to help people across Leeds, from all areas and backgrounds, reach their full potential.

“We’re so pleased that with this funding, over 500 residents who are experiencing barriers to work will be supported to overcome these, which will benefit our city as whole.

“The funding programme is directly in line with our Leeds Ambitions and our mission to tackle poverty and inequality and improving quality of life in all the city’s communities.”

Ruth Frost, Fundraising and Communications Manager at LATCH, said: “Receiving this funding is wonderful for LATCH and the people we will be able to help with it.

“We will deliver hands on construction skills training on house renovations for people with health conditions and those who face significant barriers to work, as well as the soft skills needed to get back into work, timekeeping, teamwork and resilience.

“The funding will also help us to deliver one-to-one coaching to people who have been homeless and are furthest from the labour market but need the support and encouragement to get a few steps closer with meaningful activity in their day, structure, improving mental and physical wellbeing.”

Find out more about Leeds City Council’s employment and skills service at https://www.inclusivegrowthleeds.com/employment-and-skills.

ENDS