More Than 8,000 Reasons To Be Cheerful

BUSINESS bosses have welcomed the news that national charity Shaw Trust will help over 8,000 local people across the area to make the break from benefits to work over the next three years.

The charity, which provides employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people, has been awarded the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Pathways to Work contract, in the latest phase of the government roll out of its new programme across the country.

The announcement was made by Department for Work and Pensions Secretary of State Peter Hain and Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news that local employers will be able to access new skills.

The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news that local employers will be able to access new skills. "Diversity in the workplace means greater opportunities for innovation, productivity and community cohesion and this will also compliment the work that we are doing through the Isle of Wight Lottery and it's new business Start Up programme," said Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce.

Shaw Trust, whose mission is to help disabled and disadvantaged people achieve work and independence, is already running Pathways contracts in Great Manchester East and West and Norfolk, and was also awarded two more - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire - in this phase.

The charity, which already has a strong presence in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, has already supported over 38,000 people into jobs nationally under the New Deal for Disabled People Job Broking programme, which has been extended to the new Pathways to Work, which goes live in the district on April 28th, 2008.

"We are delighted that Pathways to Work will allow us to further extend the Trust's support to an even greater number of clients in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, where we already have a number of powerful projects," said Shaw Trust's Pathways District Manager Designate Richard Morgan.

"We look forward to working with other expert local partner organisations to help thousands of local people to get jobs."

The government's flagship Pathways programme is part of DWP Secretary of State Peter Hain's crusade for full employment and an end to poverty. Managed by Jobcentre Plus, Pathways provides extra help for people on incapacity benefits to find work, using a holistic service that includes support from highly skilled personal advisers, groundbreaking NHS rehabilitation support, a Return to Work Credit of £40 a week, and in-work support.

Shaw Trust's Chief Executive Ian Charlesworth added: "We are pleased that our 25 years of experience and proven success has been recognised with the awarding of this contract.

"Shaw Trust believes that everyone has the right to work, and our entire mission is about supporting people into sustainable employment.

"We bring a unique, innovative and client-centered approach to the delivery of public services and we and our partners look forward to helping ensure that Pathways to Work is a real success in reducing the number of people on benefits."

Shaw Trust, which worked with over 60,000 people nationally last year, already has a strong presence in the area, where it has been operating since 1993. Projects include several programmes for people with mental ill health, Workstep, the Community Café at Leigh Park, Shaw Trust Horticulture Basingstoke and Portsmouth, which is a social enterprise business.

The charity also delivers alternatives to daycare, young people's services, Staying in Work and Condition Management with expert partner organisations, which is an essential part of the new Pathways to Work support system.

Shaw Trust's Richard Morgan and his team will be running the new Pathways to Work programme across the whole of the area, with partner organisation support. There will be a series of offices and outreach sites to ensure that the programme is on everyone's doorstep.

* For more information, please log onto www.shaw-trust.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For further details, please contact Sharne Halliday on 07967 661129 or you can email: crucialpr@shaw-trust.org.uk

2. Shaw Trust is a national charity, formed in 1982, which helps people with disability or disadvantage to find work and achieve independence. We do this not only by delivering government programmes, but also through our own self-funded initiatives, and by campaigning to change attitudes at all levels.

3. Shaw Trust has grown into a world-renowned international organisation, which over the years has supported nearly 160,000 disabled and disadvantaged people and helped some 50,000 of them into work.

4. Across the UK more than 1,200 staff now oversee a diverse range of more than 200 projects.