East Suffolk Council (ESC) has appointed Inspire to deliver a new Personal Development Service, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
With funding of £95,625, Inspire will be able to help young people on the coast who are facing complex challenges and deeply entrenched issues that are holding them back from entering the workforce.
The new service is specifically designed to support 16-25 year olds who are furthest from work, including those who are facing multiple barriers to employment such as homelessness, special educational needs and disabilities, lack of educational attainment, and mental health issues. Our experienced team of professionals will work with these young people to provide them with the support, guidance and training they need to overcome these challenges and build bright futures.
The service is completely free and appointments will be available wherever young people feel comfortable – be it online, over the phone, face to face, or at our Lowestoft Centre.
The need for this service is evident, with high rates of youth unemployment and NEET status in East Suffolk, particularly in Lowestoft. In addition, the rural geography of our smaller towns & villages creates additional challenges for young people in accessing the support they need.
“We are thrilled to have received this funding from the UK Government to further expand the support we offer young people in East Suffolk,” said Jackie Partridge, Youth Engagement Manager at Inspire.
“Our new Personal Development Service will be a game-changer for young people who are unsure of what the future holds and need a helping hand to move onto the next stage of their lives. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and our new service will further enhance our existing services, helping us to achieve this goal.”
Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development, said: “One of the key aims of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is supporting skills training to boost employment opportunities and life chances.
“Inspire’s Personal Development Service fits the bill perfectly, by delivering support to those sometimes hard to reach people not in employment, education or training.
“It means they take control of their own lives by securing a pathway into employment and, ultimately, a better future.
“In turn, by reducing the number of people out of work, we can tackle wider inequalities and stand to benefit as a society in the long term.”
The Personal Development Service will offer a range of tailored support services, including mentoring, coaching, and skills training, as well as access to job opportunities and work experience placements. Inspire’s team of experts will work closely with young people to develop personalised support plans that address their specific needs, helping them to build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their careers.
There will also be a ‘bursary’ available to assist young people with personal development essentials such as equipment, clothing or travel expenses, ensuring even those with rural challenges can access opportunity.
For more information, contact info@inspiresuffolk.org.uk
