£1m fund set to help local people get on pathway to employment
Eleven community groups from across Wigan Borough have been successful in achieving funding to help local people find a ‘path to purpose’ and get into employment.
From boxing and employment classes to woodworking accreditations, the funding will help to empower local people in their neighbourhoods to help them back into employment.
The Department for Work and Pensions’ trailblazer funding has come through Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to Wigan Council. The funding has gone out to the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector through our lead infra-structure organisation Wigan Borough Community First.
Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “We’re proud that in Wigan Borough, we’ve taken a really innovative approach to delivering this trailblazer funding and that, in line with our Progress with Unity approach, we’re focusing on the strengths that we have in our communities.
“We know that our community organisations know their residents best, the strengths they have and how they can help them to achieve their goals.
“There are already so many stories of how this work is making a huge difference to people’s lives and I’m really looking forward to seeing the clear results of this project as time goes on.”
The funding news comes as the publication of GMCA’s Get GM Working strategy is approved by council leaders across the city-region.
Rachael McEntee is venue operator at The Snug in Atherton, one of the organisations successful in gaining funding.
She said: “Path to Purpose is about meeting people where they’re at and creating gentle, supportive routes back into confidence, skills and work.
“At The Snug, we see every day how powerful a welcoming, creative space can be, especially for people who’ve been out of work, feeling isolated, or unsure where they fit.
“This project gives people time, encouragement and real, hands-on experience, whether that’s through hospitality, events, creative activity or simply being part of something again.
“We’ll support people to build confidence, learn practical skills and take steps towards employment or volunteering at a pace that works for them.
“Our hope is that Path to Purpose doesn’t just open doors to work, but helps people reconnect with themselves, their community and their sense of purpose.”
