EVOLVE launches on 1st July and will be available to people living in rural communities and those currently unable to work due to long term unemployment or barrier such as disability, parenting, criminal record, or a general lack of work or life skills.
Run by Independence Matters through our Norwich-based disability employer, Norfolk Industries, which manufactures pet bedding from recycled materials at our factory in Oak Street. We have a long history of employing people with disabilities and supporting people into the workplace and operate this as a successful business – our products are sold across the UK and abroad under the banner “Think Workability, Not Disability”.
Funding for EVOLVE has been secured through the Local Investment in Future Talent (LIFT) programme, a skills and employability grant scheme for rural Norfolk and North Suffolk available to voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE). LIFT is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and administered by Norfolk County Council. The Norfolk and North Suffolk Local Action Groups award the grants – local people funding local projects – and we are delighted to have been selected!
EVOLVE has been developed with the aim of supporting motivated individuals who are actively seeking work to become more employable. It offers a programme of work experience, development and training to help bring people closer to employment over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. It is being supported by Jobcentre Plus, who will be making customers aware of the scheme through their Work Coaches, and promoting the voluntary work experience element where it is a suitable match for them and their circumstances.
EVOLVE has been designed to support individuals by offering the following:
• a work placement in a factory setting, carrying out lightweight packaging work for at least 8 hours per week • option to complete a range of development opportunities and training courses based on existing skills and abilities • travel training and development of life skills and/or work skills through the Gateway Assured Programme passport system • build confidence and develop soft skills such as accepting instructions, team working and timekeeping • provide structure and give a feel for working in a commercial environment • a portfolio of achievements including training certificates to take away
We are working collaboratively with other organisations including Shaw Trust, MINT Norwich and Norfolk County Council (the programme includes access to their TITAN transport training) and will be actively supporting individuals in finding employment on completion of the programme.
We were visited earlier this year by Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, who met workers on the production line and was very supportive, describing us as ‘blazing trails of how employers can be confident in welcoming people with disabilities into their workforce’ and saying we ‘bring a refreshing approach to disability and health in the workplace’.