Connect to Work Programme officially launches in Cambridgeshire

The Connect to Work Programme officially launched in October and the Connect to Work team hosted three Roadshow events in St Neots, Peterborough and Wisbech.

We really enjoyed sharing about the Connect to Work Programme in the St Neots Community. The need for the programme is clear – a local St Neots resident walked into the Citizen Hub St Neots in search for employment during the talks. The Connect to Work team were on hand to offer 1-1 support and guide people through the new programme.

Finding work, returning to work or staying in work can be challenging, particularly when health, disability or other circumstances create additional barriers.

Connect to Work is a new free and voluntary employment support programme helping people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough overcome these barriers and take steps towards finding and keeping employment.

Grace Marsh, Managing Director at the Citizen Hub, reflected on the launch event and said, “Connect to Work in Cambridgeshire is really valuable and expands on the work taking place in the Citizen Hub. The collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council and other partners enables more people to see the impact of grassroots support. We are really excited to work in partnership and to be a referral partner on the Connect to Work Programme.”

The programme is funded by the UK Government and led locally by CPSL Mind and Cambridgeshire County Council, with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority overseeing the programme and working with specialist providers.

Greatest Hits Radio also attended the event to showcase the programme with its listeners and explored the challenges facing young people and the factors affecting people to remain in work.

James O’Rawe, Connect To Work Delivery Partner Contract Manager, said, “It’s been a fantastic opportunity for us to explain to local residents, businesses, and communities about what the programme is about and how it helps people with barriers to employment get back into meaningful and sustainable employment and what employment means to local people and the local economy. We are looking forward to our next event taking place in Peterborough next week.”

Image caption: James O’Rawe, Connect To Work Delivery Partner Contract Manager

The Peterborough Connect To Work – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Roadshow took place at The BRDG and it was fantastic to connect with the team at Peterborough City Council, local community groups, and businesses.

We would also like to thank the team at The BRDG for inviting us to connect at the new community space in central Peterborough, developed by Inspire Education Group (IEG) to support young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.

We caught up with Sadie Carnichan, The BRDG Youth Hub Coordinator at Inspire Education Group (IEG), who told us more about the Hub’s work. Sadie said: “We work with lots of different people within the community. We have worked alongside the Job Centre with delivering workshops in relation to CVs and we have been working with other education establishments, such as Nacro. We are really looking forward to working with the Connect to Work team because we feel this is going to really benefit some of the young people who come to us with additional needs, and other barriers to employment, to help them get the job that they want.”

Michael Schneider, Commercial Director at Steadfast training has already seen the impact of the Connect to Work Programme.

At the Peterborough Roadshow, Michael said: “We have been working with the Connect to Work Programme over the last couple of months since its launch and we have to say it’s a great scheme and it’s really complementing the partnership in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire in terms of helping people into employment. We have been receiving quite a number of referrals and the Connect to Work coaches have been very good liaising with our client services and tutors and making sure that people are on the right course to move through to guaranteed interviews for employment. I think Connect to Work will be great for Peterborough and will complement other programmes and will help make Peterborough and Cambridgeshire a great place for people to progress with their career aspirations.”

We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Wisbech, Councillor Lucie Foice-Beard, who took the time to meet with the Connect to Work team and shared her support for the programme at Wisbech Library.

Tim Deer, Work and Health Programme Lead at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, attended the Wisbech Roadshow and reflected on the Wisbech Roadshow. Tim Deer said: “I’m really pleased to attend the Connect to Work Roadshow outlining the superb work that can be delivered for our residents and support people that are in work and need additional support, or those who are out of work and wish to return to work. It’s really important for more rural communities to be able to access local work and have employment support tailored to that area, such as the farming and manufacturing industries. Our Access and Inclusion teams and Business Engagement Officers will work with businesses and local communities across the local area to support the communities. The teams will also help to identify jobs that are specific to those individuals to get people back into work or retained in work.”

Carl Suckling, a Community Coordinator in the Community Service at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I’m really pleased to be invited to the Roadshow to see the launch of the Connect to Work Programme. I’ve been involved from the very beginning and the Connect to Work Programme makes a world of difference to people. It enables people to build their confidence and consider doing things that they wouldn’t normally consider doing and all in a supportive manner, which is so important.”

If you are looking for employment or if someone you support is out of work, do get in touch with CPSL Mind to find out more about the Connect to Work Programme. We also have a handy blog on the CPSL Mind website:
https://lnkd.in/ebSrjagE

For more information and to refer someone into the Connect to Work Programme, visit: Connect to Work

Image credit: Harry Hubbard