Organisation Name: WAG

Project Description: The project is being established to meet the anticipated labour recruitment and training needs arising from implementation of the Wales Quality Housing Standard (WQHS). It may be extended to respond to additional labour market opportunities identified as having priority recruitment needs i.e. health and social care, and link in to key opportunities in community based work. All training opportunities will be based upon the identification of sustainable employment and training places being created with either private sector businesses or local social enterprises. The project will work with disadvantaged people who are unemployed and economically inactive and claiming benefits to ensure that they have the necessary skills needed for entry into employment with the variety of contractors engaged in implementing the WQHS. As project lead the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills will use a range of delivery partners to help people quickly gain Foundation level skills which will equip them for further learning, training and employment. In the main, the training provided is likely to result in part-qualified participants - enabling immediate access to relevant opportunities in the local labour market. Local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) in Wales are required to ensure that their housing stock reaches the Welsh housing quality standard (WHQS) by 2012. For all 22 local authorities to reach the standard will require an estimated £3 billion with an additional £4 billion required to maintain this over the next 30 years

To achieve this, a total of seven authorities have secured tenants support to transfer their stock to new RSLs - Valleys2Coast (Bridgend), RCT Homes, Monmouthshire Housing, Bron Afon Community Housing (Torfaen), Cartrefi Conwy, Newport City Homes and Merthyr Valleys Homes. Taken together, these seven RSLs will own and manage 46,000 former council properties. Other local authorities are seeking to achieve WHQS with their own resources or considering their options, including possible transfer. It is anticipated that as well as assisting RSLs, where appropriate the project will also aim to support local authorities.

i2i - inform to involve is an Assembly Government project working with local authorities and transfer RSLs to achieve WHQS and gain WHQS plus benefits in terms of local jobs, training and regeneration

Email Address: lisa.pugh2@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan Wales

Organisation Core Business: WAG

Who will be involved in delivering the project: DCELLS will be the lead organisation. Other organisations potentially involved in supporting and delivering the project will be: Work-based Learning training providers, FE colleges, Registered Social Landlords, County Borough Councils, Learning Disabilities Services, Job Centre Plus and New Deal Partners; Careers Wales, Heads of The Valleys JobMatch Programme (appointed as lead strategic employment opportunities co-ordinator); Princes Trust; Business in The Community; Local Community based Delivery and ILM Agents including Communities First Partnerships and local social enterprises; charitable social enterprise established to support regeneration activities.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Economically inactive residents; 17 to 25 year old unemployed and not involved in education; older workers requiring retraining to re- enter employment; lone parents.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Heads of the Valleys as a pilot. The project will have relevance to all other areas seeking to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and community regeneration. Lessons learned may then be applied (funding permitting) to a wider geography

What might the outputs be (activity measures): This project will be based on the principle of being demand led. All training opportunities will be based upon the identification of sustainable employment and further training places being created in the local labour market. Training opportunities will focus initially upon meeting the demand for construction and related supply chain development and will also aim to maximise key opportunities in community based work.

What might be the results of the project: Long term sustainable employment for previously economically inactive and other target groups through training and supported transition into work. Reduced levels of benefit dependency within the homes of beneficiaries. Improved skills at a semi skilled and fully skilled level across a broad spectrum of construction (initially) trades. Improved life skills for new entrants into employment. Environmental works programmes will enhance the living environments of communities making them better places to live and raising the aspirations of residents. Increased numbers of local people taking an active part in their communities adding to sustainable communities building on and retaining the local 'sense of place'.

What would its impact be: A higher skilled and qualified labour force with reduced reliance upon unemployment and incapacity benefits. Lower levels of offending and anti social behaviour. Healthy and well informed groups of beneficiaries more prepared to actively participate in civic life. Higher levels of prosperity for beneficiaries. Closing the gap between the highest and lowest achievers. Value added to domestic budgets at national and local levels. More sustainable and vibrant communities with a stronger sense of place and belonging held by residents.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project:

Estimated Cost: The cost is yet to be determined - it is anticipated the project would run for an initial 3 year period, at which point it would be formally reviewed in line with performance. The programme would aim to begin in November 2008.

Where might the match funding come from: Potential Match funding has already been identified through DCELLS mainstream budgets. Other agencies supporting the programme as facilitation partners may also be able to use their own resources to maximise the overall value of the bid. There is also the potential to utilise private sector wage contributions as a source of match funding.

Date: 24/7/2008

Organisation Name: Neath Port Talbot CBC

Project Description: The project will identify and provide targeted and personal intensive support to young people aged 16-25 who are either at risk or are not engaged in education, employment or training (potential or existing NEETs). The project will seek to meet the needs of NEETs target group. The project will work to the objectives of the Skills That Work for Wales Strategy for NEETs and seek to reduce the number of young people who are NEET. It will also contribute to the 'Keeping in Touch' strategy in NPT and the nationally across Wales. 1) The Right Systems - Working with partners to identify and to build relationships with beneficiaries to ensure there is a seamless and supported transition from statutory education to post 16 education, training and or employment and referral into the most appropriate package of support. It will use the criteria identified in the Skills that Work for Wales NEETs strategy to develop a robust system of identifying those at risk of becoming NEETs. It will develop intelligent mapping and a usable management information system that will help identify the NEETs cohort in partnership with other organisations and agencies and enable us to better understand the client group. It will work with YPP to develop the 'Keeping in Touch' strategy in NPT. The project will adopt the National Standards for Participation and will constantly strive to improve the provision to meet the needs of the beneficiaries. 2) The Right Support - A bespoke package of support from referral, initial interview or home visit right through to identifying the most appropriate learning pathway for the individual or group of young people. This support will include intensive one to one support, group support, therapeutic support, behaviour management, and advocacy and welfare rights. It is essential that many NEET young people have their personal needs met before or alongside re-engaging in education, employment or training. 3) The Right Provision - The provision will be based on the development needs of young people, helping those most distant from education, employment and training to re-engage with mainstream activity. The provision will be a careful blend of formal, non-formal and informal learning, based on best practice in professional youth work and include high quality learning experiences and training opportunities. This blend of learning will provide beneficiaries with the skills mix valued by employers and develop the essential skills for entry into further education, training and or employment. The provision will also help beneficiaries gain the much needed confidence to take the vital next steps to social inclusion within the labour market and within their local communities. The project will give the beneficiaries the capacity to pursue a career and will provide bespoke support as and when needed. 4) The Right Outcomes - The project will achieve positive outcomes for the beneficiaries through a partnership approach. The project will ensure beneficiaries are better prepared for the education, employment and training gateway. Outcomes will include increasing the social capital of the beneficiaries as well as wider outcomes for families and communities. Outcomes will be measured in beneficiaries' progress through a process of formative assessment and through monitoring of agreed development goals including those of emotional intelligence and self development. Achievement will be recognised through a variety of methods including accreditation such as Basic Skills, Key Skills, Youth Achievement Awards, Open College Network courses and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. This is not an exhaustive list. 5) The Education, Employment and Training Gateway - this gateway will be a regional hub where beneficiaries are offered opportunities across the South West Wales area. This will deliver efficiencies through and maximise the opportunities for re-engagement and progression.

Email Address: s.pruski@npt.gov.uk / m.mcmahon1@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Neath Port Talbot and wider South West Wales regions

Organisation Core Business: Local Government

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Youth Service, Education Development and Inclusion Service (Local Education Authority),YPP, Skills and Training Unit, NPT college, Work Based Learning/Training Providers, Voluntary organisations, Communities First partners, Lifelong Learning Service, Sector Skills Council, Careers Wales West, etc

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young people aged 16 - 25 who are either at risk or are not engaged in education, employment or training.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembroke, Ceredigion and Powys

What might the outputs be (activity measures): Beneficiaries gaining qualifications, beneficiaries entering further learning and / or the workplace. Beneficiaries gaining increased retention in courses, colleges and workplace due to support given and more intensive intervention. It will also make a contribution to the Keeping in Touch Strategy

What might be the results of the project: 1750 Beneficiaries over a 5 year period (350/year).

What would its impact be: A decrease in economically inactive individuals aged 16-25. This will develop a better skilled workforce and an improvement in the culture of lifelong learning. Raising aspirations, increase in skills and confidence, re-engagement of individuals in learning and or employment. This will lead to a continuous up-skilling of the workforce, and an improvement in social inclusion and citizenship of this marginalised target group of young people.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 5 Year period.

Estimated Cost: To be confirmed.

Where might the match funding come from: Youth Service, EDIS, Cymorth, Core Funding, and Partners etc

Date: 22/7/2008

Organisation Name: Cornerstone Church Project

Project Description: Work toward the regeneration of an examining community. Providing a centre that will run initiatives that cater for all sectors of the community. Providing Education/training opportunities for local people to gain qualifications, new skills that will help them back into the workplace and improve their life. Work with people suffering mental health problems, drug and alcohol problems and offering support to the families also. Employment of staff to organise and lead projects, recruiting of volunteers to work on the projects being run and support the staff in the activities.

Email Address: awhitmore@cornerstone-cwmbach.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Cynon Valley

Organisation Core Business: Community based social enterprise.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Cornerstone project in partnership with education/training providers

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries will be those suffering from mental health problems, people who are economically inactive adults who are not in education employment or training.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Cornerstone Project covers the immediate community of Cwmbach along with the wider community of RCT

What might the outputs be (activity measures): It is expected that more economically inactive adults will have access and successfully completed training opportunities. More economically inactive adults taken part in volunteering activities.

What might be the results of the project: To see a significant number of economically inactive people overcome significant life changes and gain life skills that enable them to participate in employment, learning and volunteering opportunities.

What would its impact be: Outcomes achieved will be economically inactive adults acquire basic skills to adopt a more stable life pattern, to develop the skills needed to reengage and will have progressed into education, learning, volunteering and employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The scale of the project is to run between 2008 - 2012

Estimated Cost: £325,599 between 2008 - 2012

Where might the match funding come from: from charitable trusts and foundations

Date: 15/7/2008

Organisation Name: Fairbridge Cymru

Project Description: This project will engage and develop 13 to 25 year olds who are outside education, training and employment on a developmental personal skills programme to enable them to turn their lives around and take their first step towards re-integration into mainstream provision.

The project will be split into a number of categories, most notably -

U16 - provision for Under 16s who are excluded, truanting or at risk of exclusion from schools

16+ - provision for those aged between 16 and 25 who are outside

education, training and employment and facing long-term disaffection. This will include young people leaving Social Services care, homeless or leaving a youth offending institution.

These two groups will be engaged through a mixture of challenging outdoor and Centre-based activities designed to embed Kolb's Learning Cycle - Plan, Do, Review, Apply - through an action-planning process. Activities will be matched to young people's needs through the provision of key support workers as part of a voluntary and long-term provision strategy - there is no time limit on engagement in a Fairbridge programee as involvement is based on need.

Activities used include -

Challenging outdoor activities

Independent Living Skills

Health & Fitness

Work-based and Employability Skills

Recreation and Community Skills

Art & Music

Conservation

The intention of all these courses is to promote experiential learning and the planning process as a method of long-term goal-setting and development. Young people will reach a 'negotiated exit point' where they will move on to education, training and employment in discussion with their support worker.

Fairbridge Cymru has an established history of working in partnership with other organisations as part of an holistic approach to young people's development. We would welcome contact from other organisations looking to become involved.

Email Address: Rebecca.Rumbul@Fairbridge.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South Wales

Organisation Core Business: Fairbridge Cymru has over twenty years of unrivalled experience of working with some of the hardest to reach 13 to 25 year olds in disadvantaged areas of Wales to develop their personal and social skills as a first step towards re-integration into mainstream society.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Fairbridge Cymru runs a number of dedicated youth work Centres in South Wales, employing fully-qualified staff and licensed by the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority. This will be in partnership with local referral agencies and also Colleges, Training Agency and employers who can provide exit opporunities for young people.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young people re-engaged in education, training and employment but also the wider community through increase in employment and engagement and decrease in anti-social behaviour.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Cardiff and surrounding Competitiveness areas

What might the outputs be (activity measures): Number of young people engaged, number completing courses, ASDAN certificates awarded, progress towards short and long-term goals using action-planning, improved attendance at school, behavioural change, volunteering, soft skills as measured by Spirit Level software, engagement and moving on to other opportunities including education, training and employment

What might be the results of the project: This project will target young people who are currently disaffected from mainstream provision and through re-engagement enable them to turn their lives around and increase their employable skills. As a result this will contribute to the economic well-being of Wales and ability to compete in the global marketplace.

What would its impact be: Development of employability among hard to reach young people, improved health, fitness and well-being and re-engagement of socially-excluded young people. Overall this will improve the competitiveness of the Welsh economy and decrease the demands made on public services by youth offending, social services and anti-social behaviour.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 1000 young people over 5 years

Estimated Cost: £1m

Where might the match funding come from: Fairbridge Cymru, Statutory sources, Grants

Date: 7/7/2008

Organisation Name: Black Environment Network

Project Description: Project Name: Pathway Through the Environment and Heritage Sectors. The overall aim of this project is to provide key skills and confidence building for employment through a co-ordinated partnership programme of informal learning opportunities, volunteering opportunities and placements for hard to reach BME adults within north Wales.

The project will aim to: Strengthen the capacity of employers in the environment and heritage sectors to design relevant opportunities for BME communities. Create a framework that provides a pathway towards gaining the skills and confidence for BME people to move into a wider spectrum of employment.

The proposed interventions will include: Training, mentoring and support for professional staff in environment and heritage sectors Activity based learning, volunteering opportunities and placements for BME people in the environment and heritage sectors

Email Address: ukoffice@ben-network.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North Wales

Organisation Core Business: Working for full ethnic participation in the built and natural environment

Who will be involved in delivering the project: BEN, in association with partner BME organisations and environment and heritage organisations working in north Wales. BEN will manage the project working closely with its delivery partners.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Environment and heritage organisations working in north Wales. BME communities in north Wales.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: NE and NW Wales.

What might the outputs be (activity measures): Number of professionals gaining skills; numbers and profiles of BME participants engaged in environmental activities; numbers and profiles of BME participants engaged in volunteering and training; numbers and profiles of BME participants engaged in placements; number of BME participants gaining positive outcomes; number of BME participants gaining intermediary outcomes including completing courses and entering voluntary work.

What might be the results of the project: A more inclusive framework in place enhancing equal access to opportunities for training and jobs for BME people in the environment and heritage sectors in north Wales; the integration of sustainable development into awareness raising, education and training programmes; a project using soft outcome measurement systems.

What would its impact be: An increase in employers adopting or improving equality and diversity strategies and monitoring; an increase in BME people accessing training and broadening their employment aspirations into the environment and heritage sectors.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 6 years, the whole length of the programme, with key milestones for review and revision.

Estimated Cost: £1.4m

Where might the match funding come from: Own funding sources, funding in-kind, trusts and foundations and contributions from partners

Date: 18/6/2008

Organisation Name: The Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind (MTIB)

Project Description: It has long been recognised that among the most disadvantaged and marginalised members of society are those with health conditions and disabilities. Research suggests that many people in the region are living in real poverty, with genuine health problems and they face practical, structural, psychological and social barriers to returning to work.

It is contended that in order to reduce the sustained high levels of Incapacity Benefit claimants agencies need to adopt a bio-psychosocial approach. This approach takes into account the interplay of biological, psychological and social influences on health and fitness, thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

The Disability Rights Commission have also found that individuals on Incapacity Benefit that were encouraged and supported to improve their physical fitness and diet, improved their wellbeing, self esteem and motivation to commence training programmes and enter the job market via supported employment initiatives.

The provision of fitness facilities is a major growth industry which has yet to manifest itself in the Heads of the Valleys Region where there are only a small number of fitness centres, none of which offer specialist facilities or support for those who are disabled or suffer from mild-moderate or common health complaints.

MTIB's has submitted a PIF under Priority 5 to construct a bespoke Fitness Health and Well-being Centre specifically designed to improve the physical fitness and confidence of individuals by addressing their biological, psychological and social influences.

This PIF seeks ESF support to implement a Fit4Work Programme. The programme will provide tailored support to those who suffer from mild-moderate common health complaints that prevent them from engaging with sustainable economic activity.

The Fitness Health and Well-being Centre and the Fit4Work Programme would be unique to South East Wales and could make a significant impact on the high levels of Incapacity Claimants in South East Wales.

Email Address: richardwelfoot@mtib.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: The Fit4Work Programme will support beneficiaries that are resident in the six Valley Authorities that are located within the West Wales and the Valley's Convergence Programme Area.

Organisation Core Business: MTIB provides training and employment opportunities for people who experience a wide variety of disabilities to provide them with the skills that are needed to integrate them into the working environment.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: MTIB will deliver the Fit4Work Programme. MTIB will work in partnership with and seek referrals from the Local Health Trusts, Job Centre Plus Local Authorities and other relevant specialist agencies where appropriate.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The main beneficiaries will be those who suffer from mild-moderate common health complaints (CHC's) that prevent them from engaging with sustainable economic activity.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The Fitness Health and Well-being Centre will be located at the Triangle Business Park, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil. The Fit4Work Programme will support beneficiaries that are resident in the six Valley Authorities that are located within the West Wales and the Valley's Convergence Programme Area.

What might the outputs be (activity measures): The Fit4Work project will assist an established social enterprise expand both its physical capacity to support those who are disabled and economically inactive but also to increase the level and depth of pre-work support it is able to provide. Over a period of 5 years the Fit 4 Work Programme will support up to 2,000 people with work limiting health conditions or a disability re-engage with sustainable forms of economic activity.

What might be the results of the project: Once operational the Fitness Health and Well-being Centre will support the employment of up to 10 people many of who will hold professional qualifications in the fields of fitness, health and well-being. The centre will provide programmes to support up to 400 people per annum who suffer from mild-moderate common health complaints to re-engage with economic activity.

What would its impact be: The Fit4Work project would not only improve the health and fitness of the participants and improve their economic activity but would also make a significant contribution to reducing the number of people who are on Incapacity Benefit over a period of 5 years.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The Fit4Work programme will run over the 5 years following the completion of the bespoke Fitness Health and Well-being Centre.

Estimated Cost: Total eligible project costs of the Fit4 Work Project are estimated to be in the region of £650k per annum.

Where might the match funding come from: DWP's Disability Employment Services, WAG, the Big Lottery Fund and MTIB.

Date: 6/6/2008

Organisation Name: Big Lottery Fund

Project Description: The BIG Life Skills Project will support economically inactive people who are not in education employment or training to acquire the life skills that they need to engage or re-engage with education, learning and employment. It will contract delivery partners to develop and implement a programme of support tailored to individual needs, which will include intensive support and mentoring where needed. This will enable the target beneficiaries to acquire basic life-skills, and adopt a stable life pattern that will help them to progress through learning, education, volunteering and employment.

The project will identify and engage with specific targeted groups of economically inactive people. Typically, they will have significant and complex life challenges that prevent them from engaging in economic activity.

We will invite tenders to deliver the varying project elements through an open procurement process. We envisage that organisations will be able to bid for contracts through Sell2Wales. The anticipated value of individual contracts has yet to be determined.

Partners contracted to deliver the project are expected to represent statutory, third sector or private organisations, working in partnership or complementing one another. They will be required to demonstrate that they have proven experience of identifying, engaging, supporting and motivating the project's target beneficiaries.

They will be required to demonstrate an understanding of existing strategic plans and the current services being provided in their particular geographical areas or communities of interest. They will be required to work with other organisations to ensure that there is a joined up approach that meets the need of the project beneficiaries.

We will be looking for innovative ideas for engaging with the project beneficiaries. By this we mean either new methods that have not been tried before or proven methods being rolled out in new settings.

Email Address: lifeskillswales@biglotteryfund.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: The BIG Life Skills Project seeks to operate across West Wales and the Valleys (Convergence) and the Regional Competitiveness area in north, mid and east Wales. In short, the project hopes to achieve Wales-wide coverage.

Organisation Core Business: The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is responsible for distributing half of the money for good causes from the National Lottery and supports projects in the fields of health, education, environment and the community. We distribute approximately £50 million each year in Wales. Our work reflects Welsh strategic priorities and is developed in consultation with stakeholders in the Third and Statutory sectors. The National Lottery Act 2006 confers new powers that enable BIG to deliver funding from non-lottery sources. This provides an opportunity to co-ordinate our funding with others, match Lottery and EU funds at source and apply our extensive experience to benefit new areas of activity.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The Big Lottery Fund will sponsor the project. Delivery will be achieved through a number of partners who will submit tenders to undertake individual project elements. It is envisaged that a programme of administrative support will be implemented to assist delivery partners in recording and reporting necessary data.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The BIG Life Skills Project will benefit targeted groups of economically inactive adults who are not in education employment or training. They will have significant and complex life challenges that prevent them from engaging in education, training or employment. The project will target individuals within this group who have the most pressing needs. We are currently consulting with key partners to further refine specific beneficiary groups, but it is envisaged that they could include some or all of the following groups: People of working age who suffer from a work-limiting health condition or disability, Care leavers, Lone parents and economically inactive families, Ex-offenders, Carers and former carers returning to work, Women seeking to return to work.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The Life Skills Project proposes to operate on a Wales-wide basis in both the Convergence and Competitiveness areas. As such it will cover all Spatial areas in Wales, namely: North East Wales; North West Wales; Central Wales; Pembrokeshire; Swansea Bay and South East Wales.

What might the outputs be (activity measures): As a result of the Life Skills Project it is expected that: More economically inactive adults will have accessed and successfully completed training opportunities, More economically inactive adults will have taken part in volunteering activities, An increase in the number of economically inactive adults engaged in employment. Delivery partners will have developed individually tailored long-term development and support plans for project beneficiaries that will maintain their engagement in education, learning and employment for as long as they need that support, An increase in the number of partnerships providing tailored support to the project beneficiaries, A decrease in the number of individuals that drop out of training and employment opportunities reverting to NEET status. We will expect those who are awarded contracts to deliver elements of the project to identify specific outputs that fit with their own local needs and priorities, as well as addressing the requirements of the project as a whole.

What might be the results of the project: As a result of the project, a significant number of economically inactive adults drawn from the project's target groups, will overcome significant life-challenges and gain life skills that enable them to participate in employment, learning and volunteering opportunities.

What would its impact be: As a result of the BIG Life Skills Project, the following outcomes will be achieved: Economically inactive adults drawn from the project's target groups will have acquired the basic skills to adopt a more stable life pattern, Economically inactive adults drawn from the project's target groups will have developed the skills needed to reengage, and will have progressed into education, learning, volunteering and employment, The numbers of people from the project's target groups who are NEET will have reduced, Delivery partners in Wales will have increased capacity to work with economically inactive adults to re-engage them in education, learning and employment, Raised levels of economic activity amongst target beneficiaries - leading to reduced reliance on the benefits system, less social exclusion, improved health and reduction in poverty, The project self evaluation will have informed the evidence base of what works in engaging the hard to engage groups in learning, training, volunteering and employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The Big Lottery Fund plans to award delivery contracts and commit the funding between 2009 and 2010. Successful contracts will be awarded for between three and five years. Taking into account both the time needed to commit funds and the time needed to deliver contracts, the Life Skills Project will run between 2009 and 2015.

Estimated Cost: Excluding organisational overheads, we expect the project to cost in the region of up to £14 million between 2009-2015.

Where might the match funding come from: The Big Lottery Fund has £7 million of lottery money available to use as matched funding for the BIG Life Skills Project. This money is already secured and will be matched proportionately with EU funds secured under both the Competitiveness and Convergence programmes.

Date: 2/6/2008

Organisation Name: Vision 21 (Cyfle Cymru)

Project Description: The project will build upon the 21 year history of Vision 21 (Cyfle Cymru) systematically developing innovative community based social enterprises that deliver nationally accredited vocational training programmes and employment opportunities for people with a range of learning needs who may have previously experienced inequality of opportunity in accessing appropriate vocational training to enable them to become equipped to compete effectively in the employment arena and to move into economic activity as fully participating members of the communities in which they live. In doing so, the project will compliment and add value to the development of the Social Enterprise Sector in Wales -a key strategic focus for WAG and deliver significant outcomes against the WAG Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector Scheme -"The third dimension". The project will sustain and enhance the existing infrastructure of generic and specialist support for lifelong learning for those in our communities with learning difficulties and disabilities and will develop locality specific value-driven new social enterprises motivated by social, cultural and environmental objectives defined by the four Local Authority specific areas benefiting from the partnership working collaboration within the project. The project will significantly increase the range and scope of volunteering opportunities -again moving people through to employment outcomes and as part of defined route-map to re-engage those who have become socially inactive. Included within the scope of the project will be the creation of new social enterprises in the Newport area: the 2.2. acre development of social enterprises in the Cardiff area: the development of at least 3 social enterprises in the Monmouth area and new social enterprise developments to benefit the Vale of Glamorgan area. As a highly effective social enterprise sector organisation with a long-term sound track record in Wales we will ensure that the project provides a cost-effective mechanism through which to deliver multiple outcomes, helping people to overcome barriers to employment through a variety of social enterprises that go above and beyond the usual norms, generating community ownership and developing new opportunities for increasing employment avenues. For every effective social enterprise that is created, a 'circle of support' becomes embedded that additionally enables and supports those members of communities that provide front line support for individuals as carers. The wellbeing and support for this significant group of people also has a major impact upon the development of economic activity strategies and outcomes across Wales. The project will develop a series of blue prints and replicable programmes that will be designed to support the remaining Competitive areas across Wales as a 2nd successive 'roll-out' schedule.

Email Address: barry.shiers@vision-twentyone.com

Geographical Area of Operation: South East Wales focus

Organisation Core Business: Community based social enterprise vocational training provider

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Professionally competent and qualified Vision 21 staff and those within the 4 local authority areas; partnerships with local schools and colleges; Careers Wales: Employment Services; Local Health Boards: Local Housing Providers: WAG Specialist Support Unit: Cylch: Environment Wales: Private Sector partners: range of 3rd Sector partners, including RSPB, SNAP, Learning Disability Wales, WCVA, ABCD, The Dyscovery Centre, the 4 local authorities -Cardiff: Newport; the Vale of Glamorgan and Monmouth, Health Board Nurse training placements, Genetic Counseling placements, Police Recruitment training placements, Social Work Student placements, University of Wales Student placements, local volunteer placements, Cardiff City Football Club; local SME's and larger enterprises, local Community groups, Cardiff Allotment Association, Rounded Development, Recycling Bodies, Estyn, O.C.N. N.P.T.C and W.J.E.C. Cymorth and local groups of 14-19 years Children and Young People partnerships.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Vision 21 (Cyfle Cymru) currently provides for 290 weekly vocational training placements -delivering nationally accredited vocational training programmes and employment outcomes within 15 established social enterprise settings. Within these established settings we currently employ 53 people and average between 10-20 students moving through each year from economic inactivity into employment additionally providing numerous work based placements and tasters for those in transition into adulthood and those gaining experience towards specific employment arenas -social work students, police, genetic counselling students etc. This project will develop at least 12 new social enterprise settings that will effectively provide new employment training to tackle the economic activity within the 4 geographical areas for an additional 300 + people weekly.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South East Wales Competitive area

What might the outputs be (activity measures): 18 new social enterprises will be established providing over 300+ new weekly vocational student placements plus 4500 new annual volunteering and placement provisions across 4 local authority areas. In addition the project will support the growth of the established 15 social enterprises already developed that provide employment and training opportunities for 290 people each week, employ 53 staff and that also offer work based training placements for external students. The profile of people moving through to employment from economic inactivity will reflect a 15-20% success rate.

What might be the results of the project: Social enterprise creation, including micro enterprise opportunities and support for single and small number business users and entrepreneurial development: new employment outcomes: accredited vocational training ranges: volunteering opportunities enhanced: economic wealth: additional significant support facility for primary carers: environmental educational facility for the wider community, focussing upon future sustainability, re-use and recycling: engagement and involvement in the development of a 5000 acre wildlife reserve and associated social enterprise development: replicable models of good practice aligned to active citizenship and increased economic activity levels that will become available for other localities to utilise.

What would its impact be Increased economic wealth: further educational and lifelong learning creation: healthier lifestyles: opportunities for new business to become established that will trade primarily for a social purpose and that will actively re-invest within communities of social deprivation and marginalisation: increased range of opportunities for marginalised groups and individuals to be able to access parity within the regions aligned to employment training and outcomes and re -engagement provision for significant numbers across the 4 regional authorities for economically inactive individuals

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will span 4 local authority areas -Newport, Monmouth Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan initially, with the opportunity to transfer models of good practice across the remaining Competitive programme spatial area.

Estimated Cost: £1.9m across 3 years

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authorities: Vision 21 (Cyfle Cymru): Environmental Funders: Lottery: People and Places: sponsorship: Education and Health funding streams

Date: 20/5/2008

Organisation Name: Neath Port Talbot CBC

Project Description: The project will provide support to the county borough wide network of Local Action Centers and Communities First Partnerships so that they are enabled and resourced to deliver learning and training within their communities in familiar non-threatening surroundings to end beneficiaries who are not currently engaged in lifelong learning. The project will upgrade targeted individuals enabling them to re-engage with the workplace or progress within the work based environment.

The project will ensure new learners engaged by learning ambassadors with working through voluntary and community organisations, medium, small and micro employers in the communities and health workers, progress through a 4 tiered programme from engagement activity through learning preparation to workplace skills learning with continuous confidence building.

Specifically, the project will be split into the following learners support interventions. These being:

1) The Start - awareness raising, group general guidance, benefits advice, and introduction to NPT learning community.

2) Learning preparation - mentoring, self awareness and recognition of abilities, learner entitlement, soft skills improvement, confidence building, financial literacy, fitness awareness, learning needs assessment, basic skills assessment, and ICT passport assessment.

3) Learning programme - a tailored curriculum with core and optional modules, an introduction to career paths, mentoring skills, and access to a personal learning coach.

And finally;

4) Post learning / Transition - links / visits to FE/HE and work places, agencies, practical skills training i.e. college, STU, CV preparation, interview skills, job searching techniques, and so on..

Email Address: h.matthews@npt.gov.uk / m.mcmahon1@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Neath Port Talbot CBC and the bordering neighbouring areas

Organisation Core Business: Local Government

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Generic employers, voluntary organisations, communities first partners, learning providers, et cetera.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Individuals seeking active employment and employees of all ages. The project will relate to Priority 2 and Priority 3 of the Convergence programme.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

What might the outputs(activity measures Beneficiaries gaining basic skills qualifications, beneficiaries entering further learning and / or the workplace. Beneficiaries gaining increased pay levels

What might be the results of the project: 2250 Beneficiaries over a 5 year period

What would its impact be Decrease in economically inactive individuals. Better skilled workforce. Improvement in culture of lifelong learning and continuous upskilling. Improved retention and attainment rate in NVQ level 2, especially in key occupational areas.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 5 Year period

Estimated Cost: £1 million per annum

Where might the match funding come from: Sponsors ACL payments under NPFS system and direct grant support

Date: 19/05/2008

Organisation Name:  Tribal Education

Project Description: The project - WALES (Welsh Applied Learner Employability Support) will aim to deliver a comprehensive employablity support programme that provides individuals with training, volunteering opportunities, job search support, confidence/motivation, sustainable employment and makes use of and develops the third sector in Wales.

Employability support should engage with the entire community, from local voluntary sector organisations to large employers - for the benefit of the individual beneficiary and the community at large.

In supporting 'hard-to-reach' groups into long-term sustainable and meaningful employment we will deliver a package of support that builds on the existing good practices developed by Jobcentre Plus, Working Links and other entry2employment providers.

Our employability support package comprises a 'core' offer encompassing engagement, identification of needs (including skills levels, learning difficulties, additional support etc), delivery of appropriate training (non-accredited and accredited courses - basic skills, ASDAN employability, First Aid, Health & Safety etc), job search support, CV writing, interview techniques, job matching and supportive progression into employment or further learning.

We 'bridge' the mini transitions within the 'core' offer with a combination of appropriate interventions that include 1:2:1 mentoring, NLP based motivational sessions, structured volunteer programme, and enterprise support.  These extra interventions add value, develop the appropriateness of the offer and are supported by close working relationships with third sector organisations (voluntary and community organisations, charities etc) and local employers.

We will work with third sector organisations to develop their capacity to support socially excluded individuals by providing them with lessons to learn and opportunities to question individuals supported through our employability support programme. 

We will engage with and gain the commitment of employers by offering them significant benefits around developing their capacity, reducing recruitment costs and increasing retention rates.  We will:

§          Work with local employers to develop mentoring skills;

§          Specifically target those employers signed up to the Skills Pledge;

§          Broker work placements within employers;

§          Hold regular networking events where local employers can engage with our beneficiaries and third sector organisations;

§          Offer 'try-before-you-buy' opportunities for employers; and

§          Provide continued support to placed beneficiaries during their induction period.

Our volunteer programmes will be structured in such a way so that individual beneficiaries are provided with a number of activities that support their development of the following skills:

§          Communication;

§          Management/leadership;

§          Marketing/sales;

§          Organisational;

§          ICT;

§          Team working;

§          Problem solving; and

§          Research/reporting.

Overall the structured volunteer programmes will provide our beneficiaries with real work-experience that they can use, within their CV's, to demonstrate the application of learnt skills and knowledge.

We will tailor the offer to a specific sector depending on the needs of the local area (tourism, creative industries, farming etc) and therefore impact on local strategies and the prosperity of an area.

Email Address: hannah.mould@tribalgroup.co.uk; james.taylor@tribalgroup.co.uk; emma.davies@tribalgroup.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North Wales - Anglesey, Conwy, Gwynedd

Organisation Core Business:  Providing support, employment advice, workforce development, capacity building and consultancy services to SMEs, economically inactive individuals,

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Tribal & local partners

Who will be the end beneficiaries: 'Hard to Reach' groups including: lone parents, those with disabailties, over 50s, BME groups and women

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North Wales - Conwy, Anglesey, Gwynedd

What might the outputs(activity measures Individuals into Training, Individuals into Work Placements, Individuals into Jobs, TSOs supported, Employers supported

What might be the results of the project: Less unemployment. Jobs created. Increased take up skills training. Traditional barriers to work tackled.

What would its impact be This project will tackle economic inactivity in the area, creating a vibrant, forward-looking economy and communities. There will be a reduction in child poverty and an increasingly skilled workforce.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project:  100 beneficiaries across North Walea. Could be expanded.

Estimated Cost: £2,000 per beneficiary. The more beneficiaries we work with, the less the cost per person.

Where might the match funding come from: Local governemnt, in-kind, Tribal Group, local businesses.

Date: 19/05/2008

Organisation Name:  Caerphilly County Borough Council

Project Description: This project will fill an identified gap in existing provision of support to help people progress towards economic activity.  At the moment, support is available for those close to job readiness, but there is a significant number of people on long-term incapacity benefit and/or registered as disabled, due to severe and enduring mental health issues.  These individuals wish to work, but are some distance away from being ready for the world of employment.

Through the provision of specialist support services and in partnership with training and service providers, the project aims to help individuals deal with the challenges they face to secure or maintain employment when experiencing mental health problems.

Dame Carol Black's report highlights evidence that early interventions and appropriate job retention schemes in the workplace are effective and also the need to expand the services to support those with mental ill health back into the workplace. 5 million people of working age in the UK have a common mental health disorder; just under 1 million have a severe condition. Mental health is one of the leading causes of sickness absence and worklessness - figures show that mental health problems account for circa 40% of all IB claims.

The project has two key aims in terms of supporting people with mental health issues. Aim one, in utilising the principles of early intervention and the WRAP recovery philosophy, will support individuals who experience severe and enduring mental ill health but who might be contemplating a return to economic activity. Currently, there is little or no provision for this client group in specifically supporting them to return to economic activity, education or volunteering. This client group will require more intensive & specialised support, provided by specialist Occupational Therapists and job coaches, who will provide basic skills, mentoring, self esteem and confidence building.

The second aim of the project is to identify and intervene early with people who are at work but experiencing stress, depression and anxiety, and who might be at risk of either entering a period of extended absence from work or losing their employment permanently. Evidence has shown that early intervention minimises the risk of people leaving employment and increases their likelihood of returning to work following a period of absence. The project will apply a case management model and use specialist support to work with both the client and their employer. Furthermore, the employment of a specialist Employment Liaison advisor will afford opportunities to work with employers in the county borough to address absenteeism, their views and attitudes towards mental ill health and explore employment opportunities for clients with specific needs. 

The project will be evaluated periodically after year one, with an independent organisation reviewing its effectiveness and making recommendations for improvement along the way.

Email Address: urquhr@caerphilly.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: . Caerphilly County Borough

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Specialist services within the Local Authority, including Economic Development, Social Services, Health Improvement and Education providers.  In terms of posts, Occupational Therapists, adult education trainers, case managers and employment liaison advisers.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: People who are economically inactive, and have been for a number of years - who experience severe & enduring mental ill health.  Also people at risk of losing their employment, due to emerging mental health problems.  Employers who have an improved and greater understanding of their roles in supporting clients with mental health problems.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Caerphilly County Borough, but can expand to include other parts of South East Wales with a similar demographic and client groups.

What might the outputs(activity measures 1.  The project will work with 300 people to engage in activities to improve their softer skills (basic lifestyle care skills, basic confidence and self-esteem, identify any educational/basic skills gaps). 

2.  The project will case manage and support 30 people in the workplace with emerging mental health issues. 

3.  Engage with 200 companies in the area. 

4.  Gain commitment from 100 employers to participate in the programme, working with them to raise awareness and provide support to develop policies which address mental health issues and the reduction of stigma.

What might be the results of the project: 1.  Moving hard-to-engage with clients, experiencing long term mental health problems to a position where they can contemplate a return to social, educational or economic activity. 

2.  Establish links to existing provision (such as Jobmatch and current Job Centre Plus initiatives, including Pathways 2 Work), which is not currently able to work with people who are some distance from work readiness. 

3.  Reduce the number of people on long-term sickness absence due to mental ill health. 

4.  The provision of specialist support services to achieve success with this client group. 

5.  Retaining people in employment who are experiencing mental ill health through the introduction of case management techniques. 

6.  Gaining commitment from 100 workplaces to participate in the project.

7.  Increase the number of employers who have adequate policy provision in place.  8.  Increase the number of employers who take up case management services.

What would its impact be 1.  Assisting Long-term incapacity benefit claimants with mental health problems into employment is particularly challenging, and few interventions which directly address their consideration of a return to meaningful activity have been undertaken to date. Initiatives such as Jobmatch and Pathways to Work are capable of addressing the needs of individuals seeking a return to work, but it is not currently possible to provide support for individuals who need support over a period of more than a year.  This project, through its use of specialised support and referral pathways, seeks to address this, focussing on an individuals' capacity for work. 

2.  Through raising awareness with key partner organisations such as the local authority, Job Centre Plus, employers and the voluntary sector, this project provides an opportunity to raise awareness and tackle the issues of stigma, misunderstanding and role of employers in supporting people with mental ill health. 

3.  In addition, in working with employers, the project can reduce the costs of absenteeism - a recent research project commissioned by CCBC, indicated that the costs of sickness absence in the county borough's SME's was around £7m per annum; however, this was thought to be a conservative estimate with the real costs projected to be somewhere in the region of £20m. 

4.  1 in 6 people currently in employment suffers some form of mental illness, including mild anxiety and depression, stress along to more severe episodes of ill health.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 1.  Support for all employees working in the County Borough - one in four people in the workplace experience mental health problems, so the project will reduce absenteeism. 

2.  The stock of IB claimants, which is a higher percentage than most other parts of the UK, especially those whose needs are not currently addressed by existing mechanisms - those further from a possible return to work.

Estimated Cost: £1.3million over four years

Where might the match funding come from: Possibly from CCBC and from the Local Health Board and support in kind from the voluntary sector

Date: 12/05/2008

Organisation Name: Tai Dysgu a Gwaith Cymru made up of Joint Sponsors:Cymdeithas Tai Hafan (Lead Sponsor), Trothwy Cyf, Llamau, The Wallich, Swansea Young Single Homeless Project, Solas Cymru

Project Description: TDG Learning and Work Project.

Homeless people do not benefit from the same employment, educational or training opportunities as the general population. Disproportionate numbers of homeless and vulnerably housed people in Wales are affected by learning difficulties, poor educational backgrounds, or have limited opportunities to develop their interests and skills. These circumstances not only impact on people's self-esteem and confidence, but present real barriers to individuals as they attempt to secure employment, find and sustain long-term accommodation, and bring about lasting changes to their lives.

The project will break the cycle of economic inactivity for a generation of the most disadvantaged and socially excluded members of society, and create in them a belief in their being able to achieve qualifications, succeed in training and complete work based experience, challenging their perceived norm of welfare dependence.  It will improve their participation by providing learning opportunities in line with their individual life and learning styles. These groups are from areas of multiple deprivation,and are excluded from accessing mainstream services by their high and complex support needs, A percentage of this group will have dropped out of mainstream education at an early age having excluded themselves because of poor behaviour; and others will have been excluded because they had ongoing support needs which were not addressed at the time.  Predominantly from families dependent on benefit and without a history of regular employment, this group of people will need particular support in order to prevent their descent to benefit dependency and unemployment.  This support needs to focus on building confidence, self esteem and motivation, and challenging the belief that education and employment are not for them.  The project will address these issues through intensive and tailored learning & work support, providing in house accommodation-related learning with mentoring support as an extension to their existing package of personal support. The project will assist the learners to build their skills in relation to sustainable independent living, such as budgeting, tenancy agreements, health & nutrition, as well as focusing on basic skills training around literacy, numeracy and IT skills. Through this model of intensive support,  the participants will gain in self confidence and motivation, whilst also building up the qualifications and practical skills needed to enter, and succeed in, mainstream education/ training and paid work.   This is a vital project as it provides the initial engagement process for a generation of the most hard to reach people, who, without this support, may never access mainstream education, training or employment and become economically active.

The project aims to provide the most disadvantaged and socially excluded people of all ages in West Wales and the Valleys, with a route into mainstream education, training and employment.  This is achieved by engaging them in a dynamic community based pre-vocational education and training support programme that will increase their chances of success in employment. This approach will enable the participants to overcome identified barriers to learning, particularly taking into account demographic and geographical factors.  Individuals will also receive additional support from a community-based mentor.  Involvement with the project will enable participants to develop a clearer sense of direction and improve their emotional intelligence thereby enhancing their chances of success in the future.  By achieving success in education and training, participants are more likely to gain sustainable employment that increases their chance of securing economic and social independence and stability.

TDG staff will work with support staff within each of the joint sponsor organisations to identify every participants' individual needs.  Individual plans will be drawn up with each participant  to identify their practical, emotional and social issues relevant to sustaining a tenancy and eventually gaining employment. This takes into account the clients skills and abilities, including qualifications and jobs they may have had. Staff will work with the client to identify skills that they would like to learn and draw up a plan that enables them to do so and support the client in the best way possible to achieve their goals.

The target group of beneficiaries will include those with/who are:

Homeless

Vulnerable individuals

Women affected by domestic abuse/violence Hard to reach/engage groups Attention Deficit Hyperactive disorder Individuals with mental health issues - in particular self-harm and eating disorders Young, single parents Young mums to be Individuals suffering from alcohol and drug misuse Young carers Offenders and ex offenders Learning difficulties and disabilities Young people with no record of progression Young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training) Unemployed people TDGs staff will work with participants on an individual basis to ensure that they have developed the skills to secure employment or education. They will help them consider the challenges they may face when accessing employment or education and develop the negotiation and social skills they will require for this to be maintained.

The areas covered will include:

Job search skills, Attitudes to work/learning, CV preparation, Application forms, Interview skills, Preparing for starting work/learning, Work and Tax Credits, Sustaining employment, Work experience.

Whilst these are individualised programmes of vocational learning we will also be making use of joint-learning and group-work activities.  The group work will provide participants with the skills, motivation and confidence to succeed in mainstream provision.  It is particularly targeted at disadvantaged people who lack the confidence to access institution-based learning, those who have had negative prior experiences, and those who have chaotic and difficult backgrounds, unaddressed support issues such as substance misuse, mental ill health and challenging behaviour, all of which contribute to make it impossible for them to cope with a formal and structured setting. A range of cultural and gender specific activities/ sessions will be offered and participants will be encouraged to engage in activities that they will find interesting such as outdoor pursuits, sports, music/mixing, video, gym, horses and animal welfare.

The groupwork element of the programme will tackle factors such as lack of core skills, personal needs and life skills so entry barriers are removed and participants are able to fully integrate into the community.  Issues might include:- A history of offending or anti social behaviour, substance misuse, mental or emotional ill health and unaddressed learning difficulties, as well as Communication skills, ICT Skills, Rights & responsibilities, Literacy and numeracy, Confidence and Self-Esteem and a range of Health and Social Skills.

The project aims to work with Job Centre Plus Advisors to address the priorities identified in key UK level policies for employment, such as, Empowering People to work, Want2Work and Pathways To Work  namely by identifying participants claiming benefits and supporting and assisting them in their journey off benefits and into paid employment. As highlighted in Wales:A Vibrant Economy, projects that have a strong focus on improving skills and qualifications play a key role in addressing the problem of economic activity in Wales.   This project helps the participants be attractive to prospective employers by increasing their skill levels and improving their confidence and self esteem.

The consensus in economic literature is that demand for unskilled workers lies at the heart of high economic inactivity.  Improving the skills of the working age population together with removing barriers to participation is paramount to improving their employment prospects.  This project addresses the Community Strategic Guidelines by delivering the skills necessary for vulnerable individuals to enter the employment market.

The project will introduce work based mentors.  This is a key element of the project that will support those exiting from the programme into work.  A timetable for support at the workplace will be agreed to assist the new employee with the unfamiliar world of work, thus reducing the likelihood of them leaving paid employment,

The project impacts on the economic inactivity within the Strategic Framework by paying particular attention to hard to reach groups, such as NEETS, young people at risk, offenders and ex-offenders, and individuals who would not access education or undertaken learning.  It will look to equip the economically active with the necessary skills to obtain paid employment.

TDG  works to reduce economic inactivity with vulnerable people in unemployment blackspots throughout Wales The programme works with vulnerable people living with the greatest level of deprivation in the most peripheral areas of Wales.  Engaging those currently inactive will help contribute to reducing the numbers of working age economically inactive in Wales.

The objectives and priorities of the TDG partnership are consistent with the Lisbon agenda and will contribute directly to the overall UK National Reform Programme, which in turn responds to the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs.  This response includes policies and actions under the ESF Convergence Programme to address the challenges of improving employment prospects for the most disadvantaged.

The project recognises that there is not a 'one size fits all' solution to economic inactivity and recognises the differences outlined in the Spatial Plan areas.  TDG partners are already operating in the individual spatial plan areas and has well established networks and connections to tailor the project to address local needs.

The project will span across two Priorities -ESF Competitiveness P1 and ESF Convergence P2 T1&2 as the partner associations provide support to target groups pan Wales.  The programmes of learning and development are written with the aim of achieving full emotional and intellectual independence.  Through education and training relevant to their needs the participants are guided and supported to full economic activity and independence. 

Email Address: KayHughes@tai-hafan.co.uk, francesbeecher@llamau.org.uk,Alun.Llewelyn@gwalia.com;stephen.gamgee@thewallich.net;l.slade@syshp.org.uk;tim.atkinson@solas-cymru.co.uk;

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan Convergence and Competitiveness

Organisation Core Business:  Tai Dysgu a Gwaith is a national membership organisation whose aim is to represent and support all housing related support projects in Wales which deliver Work and Learning services to people in housing need. TDG Cymru, as it is more commonly known, grew out of the former Wales Foyer Council, an informal association providing business advice and support.  A WAG review called for a more strategic approach to the needs of the client group, and following this the partnership was formed.  TDG Cymru was part of a Learning Community Accounts (LCA)  pilot (funded through DELLs) , as a national pilot project, managed by Cymorth Cymru, the representative body for providers of housing related support in Wales.  TDG Cymru is presently made up of three of the original four organisations concerned with providing housing related support to vulnerable people in Wales.  These are Cymdeithas Tai Hafan, Trothwy Cyf, and Llamau, brought together as a 'community of interest' focusing on homelessness.  The TDG partnership for the delivery of this project will consist of the following 6 organisations: Cymdeithas Tai Hafan, Trothwy Cyf, Llamau, The Wallich, Swansea Young Single Homeless Project, Solas Cymru. TDG would seek to act as a Joint Sponsorship situation with each of the 6 sponsors being seen as more or less equal in status,(although the scale of the inputs and outputs may vary within each individual organisation). Each sponsor will share the project risks and accountability.  The development of the project will remain the responsibility of the whole partnership to ensure quality and consistency in delivery.  Each of the sponsors will be responsible for a proportion of the match funding.  For the purposes of application, Cymdeithas Tai Hafan will act as the Lead Sponsor within TDG.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Cymdeithas Tai Hafan, e mail, KayHughes@tai-hafan.co.uk; Llamau Ltd: francesbeecher@llamau.org.uk;Trothwy Cyf: Alun.Llewelyn@gwa lia.com;The Wallich,e mail: stephen.gamgee@thewallich.net;Swansea Young Single Homeless Project; l.slade@syshp.org.uk;Solas Cymru; tim.atkinson@solas-cymru.co.uk

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include a wide range of socially excluded people with different needs who need specialist intervention, and sometimes, very intensive support in accessing suitable learning and development or identifying and maintaining suitable employment opportunities. The project will be made available to all of the joint sponsor organizations client groups; including; homeless or potentially homeless men and women over 16 years of age, especially those with a history of offending or substance misuse or a combination of these. The project will  work with people from all backgrounds who may be experiencing housing related problems, Young people who are not in Education - Young people who have previously been in care - Lone parents - Parents who are not in work who need help with parenting skills - People with a physical disability or sensory impairment - People who have a learning disability - People who have mental health related problems -  People who are affected by disadvantage and who lack confidence and self-esteem - People who have been workless for a considerable time for various reasons - People from ethnic minority groups -  Homeless young people - People  who are homeless and / or have been affected by domestic violence.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pan Convergence and Competitiveness

What might the outputs(activity measures 1. Qualifications, 2. Employment

What might be the results of the project: Increase in skill levels of the beneficiaries, improved self esteem and self confidence.Individuals who complete this project will gain the confidence to apply for employment and/or enter full time education or training.  They will have clear ideas about what they would like to do with regard to work and learning, and have improved self-worth and self-belief and be motivated towards work or further learning. They will understand what is available to them and, If appropriate, be able to identify courses and pathways of learning and development in order to achieve these goals.  There would be a decrease in the numbers of individuals in these geographical areas with no qualifications and an increase in those participating in employment, education and training opportunities.  The people who take part in this project will become economically active and positive members of their community, having addressed and overcome their individual barriers to work and development and have gained the motivation to work towards work or further development. They would understand what would be available to them and have identified courses and pathways of learning and development in order to achieve these goals.  There would be a decrease in the numbers of individuals in these geographical areas with no qualifications and an increase in those participating in employment, education and development opportunities.

What would its impact be Increase in levels of active participation of those currently on low incomes, the majority of whom are on State Benefits, thus reducing the need for financial support and breaking the cycle of benefit dependency. Increased participation in employment and education and training by those currently excluded from mainstream society and in doing so impacting on the economic activity rate in Wales.Significant reduction in numbers of people from disadvantaged groups who are workless - Development of stronger and sustainable economy - More people taking a full role in the economic and social life of their communities - Higher participation of people in the labour market - Less social exclusion and greater opportunities for disadvantaged groups - Jobs created within the project itself - including jobs for existing members of staff whose jobs are threatened - Raising levels of economic activity and employment - Reduction of poverty and ill health

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This would be a collective project throughout the Convergence and Competitiveness area, involving a partnership of support organisations, linking to existing networks, delivering to young people and the economically inactive. Wales wide, but focusing on severely disadvantaged and deprived groups and individuals with the objective of facilitating movement out of poverty, economic inactivity and benefit dependency.

Estimated Cost: To be calculated

Where might the match funding come from: TDG Cymru was set up with funding from the original DELLs Welsh Assembly Learning Community Accounts pilot and managed by Cymorth Cymru.  Aim of the original pilot project:The TDG project's aim was to offer learning provision to its clients in recognition that the provision of housing support alone does not in the longer term alleviate the other problems that many of its clients face which have prevented them from engaging, or re-engaging in learning/training or work activities.  Between the four original organisations, the LCA programme was delivered in over 20 individual projects across Wales, under the 'Learning and Work' programme.  Independent evaluation of the pilot project reported results exceeding those originally set at the start. The pilot evaluation evidenced that the project did not duplicate any training already in existence, because many of the learners had already tried and failed at existing mainstream provision.  For learners within TDG, the provision was often a last port of call for those wanting to undertake some form of learning.  The evaluation also reported that the Project had also made a significant contribution to the organizational capacity   Through the pilot, staff skills and expertise were developed, housing support workers were able to offer and refer on their clients to more formal learning activities within the safe confines of the same organization, and the organization was able to offer a fuller portfolio of support to clients to enable them to progress. The partnership is currently in discussions with DCELLs for match funding. Each of the Joint Sponsors will match fund in kind (20%) and applications for funding will be submitted to charitable trusts and grant bodies. However, should the project be unsuccessful in securing ESF funding, the project will not take place.

Date: 01/05/2008

Organisation Name: Deeside and Yale Colleges

Project Description: This project will contribute to the strategic development of Wales by engaging, in particular, but not exclusively, young people in considering entrepreneurship and enterprise as legitimate and desirable attributes. In this way, it will add to their employability, as well as their self employability, beyond that which has been routinely included in further and higher education courses. This project will also enable partner institutions to further develop, support and drive the interest and take-up of enterprise and social enterprise from “Awareness” of all institute members, to “Trading” for those for whom it is most appropriate.

This will include supporting the growth of small enterprises, but also recognise the importance of enterprise as a driver in large organisations.

An important part of this project will be to integrate full-time learners and relevant staff across the partner institutions to engender “real and innovative” partnership working.

Email Address: barwisv@deeside.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Further Education

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Colleges and Local Business

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young adults in further education

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North East Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): Number taking part in Entrepreneurship, number of placements

What might be the results of the project: Learners achieving skills to support future employment

What would its impact be: Ensuring skills transfer to enable the growth of nascent

and small enterprises.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Three years

Estimated Cost: £400000

Where might the match funding come from: Colleges

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