Special Projects
Debt Management Programme
The Debt Management Programme is being delivered by a partnership lead by Stoke-on-Trent CAB and including Biddulph CAB, Cannock CAB, BRAN CAB (Tamworth & Bedworth), North Warwickshire CAB, Newcastle-under-Lyme CAB and Kidsgove CAB.
The Debt Management programme aims to reduce the problems experienced by residents in coalfield communities as a result of mounting money management and debt issues and to encourage residents to access cheaper financing routes in the first instance.
The main objective is to help people deal with the many debt related advice issues from the local communities, helping them to maximise their income, help re-schedule debt and take forward money management strategies having identified priority and non-priority creditors.
The initial feedback from the CABs is that the demand for their services has been high, but given the additional resources made available through the funding of the Debt Management Programme, all appointments have been met.
A very successful case in the West Midlands involved two clients that were given advice on their Council Tax arrears and as a result saved £664 and worked out an acceptable payment arrangement with the Council. Both clients were extremely relieved and grateful to have the situation resolved.
Furthermore the CRT has recently approved funding for Stoke-on-Trent CAB to make some improvements to their facilities (Advice House) which will help with the delivery of the Debt Management Programme.
Aspire Group Apprenticeship Programme
The Aspire Group Apprenticeship Programme will enable The Realise Foundation to increase its impact in terms of improving skills and helping people to get jobs by offering employment and training opportunities to local young people. Due to the economic downturn younger less experienced people are finding it exceptionally difficult to find employment and compete against older, more experienced people. For those individuals who are NEETs (not in education, employment, or training) or unemployed these Apprentice opportunities can be life changing, by offering paid employment and nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships engage with those who have maybe found traditional education disengaging, through providing on the job training and work related training.
The Apprentice roles will tackle worklessness and give employment ambition to young people who may reside in households of generational benefit dependency which is key to the national and local government agenda. For the community, the Apprenticeships will create paid employment opportunities, therefore decreasing NEET numbers and benefit dependent youngsters and the numbers of young people who have nothing more to do than be inactive at home or on the streets. The opportunities may also reduce antisocial behaviour and crime in the areas due engaging young people into employment.
The project will be targeted at young people with a number of the apprenticeships specifically for 16-18 year olds and some for 19-24 year olds. NEET young people residing in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle CRT wards will be particularly targeted for these opportunities.
Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent - Sports Volunteer Development Programme
The aim of this project is to develop a volunteer pathway that will create new sporting opportunities and improve the employment prospects of the volunteers involved through the provision of structured volunteering placements, training and access to qualifications.
The project aims to tackle below average sport and physical activity participation rates in Staffordshire and Warwickshire and increase the number of skilled volunteers which will in turn provide more sport opportunity in coalfield communities.
The target age group for this project (16-24) are amongst the hardest hit by the recession with disproportionately high rates of unemployment. There will be a specific focus on engaging young people that have NEET status. The provision of alternative vocational training and qualifications alongside structured work experience is an effective mechanism for improving young people chances of either gaining employment or staying engaged in education.
The project will contribute to Sport England’s community sport strategy; Grow Sustain Excel and its participation programmes, Sport Makers and Sportivate. Through increasing the number of volunteers, creating pathways to employment and increasing the number of people taking part in sport or active recreation this project will directly contribute to the aims and objectives of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust Healthy Lifestyles programme.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, and Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport.
For further information about the programme please contact – Andy Lock (CRT Assistant Director – Programmes and PR) on 01709 765 584
