Routes 2 Work works across West Cumbria, one of the most deprived communities in the UK. West Cumbria has been in economic decline for more than 30 years with many households experiencing second and third generation unemployment.
Derwent & Solway’s Routes 2 Work initiative acts to tackle the unemployment problem within the local community. Its clients include people with mental health problems, homeless people, ex-offenders and people with drug and alcohol addictions.
Offering bespoke training packages to individuals as well as helping with the hidden costs of returning to work, amongst them travel costs, work clothes and toll that may be required.
In recognition of Routes 2 Work’s approach to tackling worklessness, Derwent & Solway has been awarded by the Housing Corporation a prestigious Gold Award for tackling worklessness. The award recognises Routes 2 Works commitment to breaking through the unemployment barriers in West Cumbria.
Derwent and Solway Housing Association are the accountable body for Routes to Work but the initiative is unique as it is overseen and directed by a Strategic Steering Group made up senior representatives of partner organisations. These being Bill Pennington - Jobcentre Plus Manager, David Ingham of Cumbria County Council, Nik Hardy of Britains Energy Coast West Cumbria, Robert Porter The Director of Derwent and Solway Housing Association, Julie Wedgwood Routes to Work Manager, Cllr George Scott of Allerdale Borough Council and Cllr John Kane of Copeland Borough Council and Chair of the partnership
How has Routes 2 Work changed lives?
Since Routes 2 Work opened its doors in 2005, they have helped over 3000 people back into employment.
Part of the Routes 2 Work success is down to tackling and overcoming social and economic exclusion by:
* Helping lone parents find work and leave benefit dependency
* Helping disadvantaged residents into employment
* Helping local people secure local jobs
* Helping small businesses train and employee local people.
Routes 2 Work believe that everyone is an individual with their own barriers in returning to employment. We offer bespoke packages of support, setting achievable aims for the individual wherever possible. Unlike many mainstream programmes, Routes 2 Work works with the individual to ensure that the funding they receive meets their requirements and assists them to overcome their barriers.
Councillor John Kane, Chair of the R2W Strategic Steering Group.'I am very proud to be the Chairman of the Routes 2 Work Strategic Steering Group, as the whole aim of the group is to develop a strategy for seamless partnership working. I believe that any business is only successful to the extent that it provides a product or service that contributes to happiness in all of its forms. I cannot think of a better contribution to people's happiness than to provide assistance back to employment and social inclusion'
Michelle Gregg Executive Director of Service Delivery
'I think that Routes 2 Work is a splendid project that has delivered clear outcomes for our customers in Cumbria. The scheme has helped many people to overcome the barriers that make it difficult to get back into work. Learning from this project has enabled Harvest to move forward and improve the employment opportunities of customers for many areas of the Group. In particular we have been successful in obtaining over £750,000 from the DWP's Future Jobs Fund to create 90 work placements aimed at young people.'