Connecting Choices secures contract extension until 2023
We are pleased to announce the successful extension of our Connecting Choices programme until June 2023 with additional funding of £1.23m. The programme is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund which supports those furthest from work who live in and around the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Since its launch, the Connecting Choices programme has supported over 2,000 participants on the programme. The programme helps participants to enter training, education, volunteering or work. The extension of the programme will transform even more lives for the better with additional funding.
About the Connecting Choices Programme
The Connecting Choices programme launched in late 2016 to help those furthest from work who live in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands areas. The programme is targeted in areas with high levels of multiple deprivation as well as rural communities. The goal is to help participants move forward in life into training, education, volunteering, or employment by breaking down barriers including social isolation, financial needs and digital skills.
Natasha Church, Connecting Choices Head of Service said “This is fantastic news for those who live in and around the Stoke-on-Trent area. Unfortunately, the pandemic has widened the gap further for those who were already out of work and with this extension we can continue to support people to move closer towards work. The contract extension demonstrates that my partnership is working hard to support those hardest to reach and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for the work they are doing.”
Samantha Banks, Connecting Choices Team Leader added “Following the programme’s success, the extension is excellent news and recognition for the work the programme achieves by opening doors to opportunities. There was a lot of work behind the scenes to secure the new extension which really has been a team effort. The bid was approved as Connecting Choices are one of the highest performing programmes in the area.”
If you have a goal or an idea of where you would like to go, this is a great place to start. The specialised support on offer is excellent! It is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with and be as open as possible. The access to resources is second to none-due to the extensive partner network we work with and each partner has their own specialist provision.
About Building Better Opportunities
The Building Better Opportunities project has received £10.13m of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations.