Wyre Forest's Brighter Futures gets year two funding

The scheme run by UNITY at Community Housing, was established to support individuals seeking to gain employment but faced challenges such as lacking confidence, life skills, or the necessary training to secure a job.

Carrie-ann Carroll, the programme’s project manager, said: "Our ultimate goal is to help individuals of working age move towards employment by helping them to overcome their current barriers into the workplace."

She also explained: "We start by meeting and talking with the individual to understand their current situation, what they want to achieve, and looking carefully at what their barriers to working may be.

"We then put into place one to one coaching, training or classes to address these challenges.

"The support can continue until the needs have been met, our goal is to see that individual empowered to succeed in the workplace, and in their everyday lives."

One beneficiary of the programme, Michael Demulder, returned to the workplace after major surgery and several years out of work.

His life skills advisor, Sanjay Mistry, said: "From the start, Michael was determined to re-gain control of his life and in particular his ability to participate in work to help support his family. "

Mr Demulder said: "This programme has been life changing for me."

Councillor Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for economic regeneration, planning, and the green agenda at Wyre Forest District Council said: "It’s great to see how funding through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund is benefiting residents."

Caroline Caldwell, operational manager at The Civic, where Michael volunteers said: "His ‘can do’ attitude is a breath of fresh air and we’ve felt lucky to have him on our team."

For more information, visit www.communityhousing.co.uk/housing/unity or call 01562 733133.