[M]illom Network Centre has been awarded a £9000 grant by Cumbria Housing Partners Fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, to support a new employability project ‘Opening New Doors’. The programme aims to help people in South Copeland create better life chances by helping them open doors to new opportunities and find success in their lives.
Millom Network Centre offers a variety of activities to support local people improve their life chances. Work and Skills Officer, Carol Pugh and the team offer free, one to one, bespoke support to help people access training and qualifications they need to find voluntary or paid employment. In addition to key subjects such as English, mathematics and science they can help people access practical skills training in construction and horticulture. They also offer support to overcome personal hurdles which may be barriers to work – improving social skills, CV writing, job searches and interview techniques. Carol is always happy to have an informal chat with anyone who might be interested in finding more about the support on offer, people can call her on 01229 719650.
Advocate for lifelong learning, Centre Manager Paul Stewart said “Achieving success in life is a different measure for everyone. ‘Opening New Doors’ aims to support people overcome their personal barriers to success by offering learning opportunities which not only increase their employability but importantly help to improve their self-esteem.
One of our participants, Pauline, has just completed an online course which has increased her personal confidence and digital skills; she said “Thanks to the Opening New Doors programme and passing my recent qualification, I really feel on top of the world!” By helping people to grow in confidence they are better able to deal with the challenges they face in day to day life, raise their personal aspirations and become valued members of the community.”
John Clasper, Chair of Cumbria Housing Partners, said: “We are delighted to support this project. People living in rural communities, like Millom, can experience additional barriers to employment including access to training and employment opportunities due to their location. By offering local training solutions Millom Network Centre provides a vital link to the future success of individuals and the whole community.
Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, said:“Millom is rurally isolated with residents having to travel 45 minutes to the nearest large towns. It also has higher unemployment that the national average but with the injection of funding, Millom Network Centre is working hard to encourage enterprise and improve life-long training provision.”
Over the past year Cumbria Housing Partners Fund, administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, has provided grants to individuals, community and voluntary organisations for training and projects aimed at improving people’s employability or education. The £100,000 fund has also supported projects which provide advice and guidance, support and engage people in their local community, and improve community facilities.
