Long term unemployed young people aged between 18 to 24 living in Norfolk and Suffolk will continue to receive support from the Big Lottery Fund ‘Talent Match New Anglia’ project after a recent two year review. This will allow the continued investment of £2.5 million in disadvantaged young people who need support into employment.
Talent Match New Anglia supports long-term unemployed young people in Ipswich, Waveney, Norwich and Kings Lynn by matching them with a dedicated advocate to help boost their confidence and skills, and supports them back into the workplace. So far, Community Action Suffolk has been responsible for the delivery across Ipswich, Waveney and the surrounding areas. Following the successful completion of two years, CAS has succeeded in maintaining the contract for a further three years.
Richard Broom, Senior Development Officer for Talent Match at Community Action Suffolk, said:
“I’m excited that we have kept the expanded Talent Match Team here in Suffolk. This year has seen an increase in staff with the team more than doubling in size. This is fantastic news, not just for the young people of Suffolk but for the wider Suffolk community.”
The Talent Match New Anglia project will continue for a further three years up until December 2018, and will, by its end, have supported 1,300 young people, of which an expected 395 will get into meaningful employment opportunities. The New Anglia partnership expects a further 525 young people to enter other positive outcomes such as education, apprenticeships and other training opportunities.
The project, delivered by a consortium of organisations from across Norfolk and Suffolk, has shown itself to be one of the highest deliverers of employment opportunities out of the 21 partnerships set up by the Big Lottery Fund in January 2014.
The first two years of the project have highlighted the barriers facing unemployed young people across the region including mental health problems, few qualifications and lack of confidence and experience. The project supports young people with a dedicated advocate who provides the much needed one-to-one support and helps them access the appropriate services that lead them towards employment.
Sue Buffin, Project Manager, Talent Match New Anglia, said:
“When a young person is work ready, we work closely with local employers to make sure the role and young person are well matched. Employers can feel confident that a Talent Match young person will have an interest in the role and, experience has shown us that, when given a opportunity in an area of interest, and with the bespoke support provided by our advocates, these young people quickly become a skilled and valued member of staff.”
All Saints Cafe in Norwich have offered work placements for young people wanting to work, but lacking experience or qualifications. Jane McCall from the cafe, said:
“It is difficult for young people to make a start towards employment, if not impossible sometimes. If they have never been in a work environment before, we can offer close support as a small employer with the boss on hand. We offered work experience to a young lady who had previously experienced issues, but worked very well and was a big help to us on busy days. I saw her confidence level rise and she learnt a lot. I will be offering future work placements to Talent Match participants, and this will include the same level of training we give to any employee.”
Chloe is one of the young people who has benefited from Talent Match:
“In this generation, you don’t get that kind of help, from anyone but Talent Match has done it. They are not just a placement and they don’t just help you get them, but they are friendly and supportive. They are there for you no matter what. It’s just amazing to be here, and without them, I wouldn’t have been on the youth panel which helps young people like us in various situations, find work placements, jobs and work on their CVs.”
If you are, or know of, a young person interested in receiving support from Talent Match Ipswich and Waveney, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
In addition, if you are an employer who could offer an opportunity to a local young person either for experience or as paid employment then please contact us as above.
