The Accelerate and Progress projects have previously been funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the National Lottery Community Fund but that funding will expire in just 3 months, in March 2023.
The ESF provided £500m worth of employment and skills support to disadvantaged communities in the UK annually, much of which went to the voluntary sector. As a result of Brexit, the funding from Europe will be replaced by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Unfortunately that will not take over directly, there will be a year’s gap. There is also an absence of clarity around the Fund which threatens the future delivery of support services and the sector as a whole.
Voluntary Action Coventry’s Chief Executive Sue Ogle said: This is a precarious time for the voluntary sector and the vital ‘joined up’ services we offer should not be taken for granted. This news has arrived at a time during a cost-of-living crisis when people are facing huge financial pressures and are most in need of being listened to and provided with specialist person centred support into their next step. We may also face losing two compassionate and hardworking members of staff who have shown such dedication to their roles.
Accelerate
The Accelerate project enables participants to have access to holistic advice and guidance; upskill, train for new jobs, gain meaningful employment and improve their mental and physical health.
The Accelerate project is managed by Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency (CDA). Accelerate has been running at Voluntary Action Coventry since 2016 and has helped hundreds of local people.
Tia is our Journey Guide and she helps break down participants’ barriers into work and give them the confidence to succeed. Voluntary Action Coventry has worked with the VCSE, accessing volunteer roles, social groups and key partners across the City leveraging in specialist support to increased value for participants; Orbit Training for Employability skills, Optima Training to help with targeted health and well-being goals, Volunteer Friends for Independent Living and cooking, Foleshill Women’s Training and WATCH . We also provide support to participants who need help with cost of living and benefit support.
In 2021 to 2022 - 34 Participants have been supported by Voluntary Action Coventry and all reported that they feel happier than when they started and they felt that they were listened to. 22 Participants have been supported into employment, training and job search activities. 12 participants were in receipt of ESA or Personal independence Allowance therefore they required additional time and support with mental health, lifestyle support and financial assistance. 10 participants were supported into volunteered in charitable organisations.
"Accelerate is so important to our community. Even in the dark days of the pandemic, Accelerate was there to help people in most need, to build their confidence and give them the tools to become a valuable part of the community. We need to find a way to ensure their wonderful work continues in the years ahead.” Deputy Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi.
Accelerate can adapt to help anybody. Since its creation in 2016, it has supported 2,054 individuals (a 50/50 split of men and women) towards gaining employment. Those clients include 892 people with disabilities, 688 from ethnic minorities and 538 aged 50 or over who are ineligible for many other sources of similar support which are aimed at younger people.“ For more information about the Accelerate Project, please visit https://www.accelerate.org.uk/
Susan joined the Accelerate programme in 2021. She was very experienced in administration with 20 years of work history. Susan started the Accelerate programme having the aim to return to work after Covid pandemic. Initially, she contacted Voluntary Action Coventry to access volunteering opportunities and heard about the Accelerate employment programme that gives flexible, personalised pre-employment support to those who are disadvantaged and get them back into work or training. Due to the support Susan received by Accelerate after 7 months on the programme, Susan was successful and found employment in customer service/administration.
Progress
Progress is for 15-24 years who feel furthest away from getting work, training or back into education. Young people work with Anusree – she encourages them to set positive goals, inspire a positive work attitude and help them navigate their own personal plan towards employment. The programme aims to increase confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing, boosting social and personal skills as well as employability personalised, one-to-one support to young people who are most in need of a helping hand.
We worked with 22 young people 15-24 not in Education, Employment or Training. 61% of the young people felt more confident. 43% went on to employment or training.
