New Government funded service will help struggling jobseekers “Move Forward”

A new service that aims to support residents in Pendle and Preston who have complex employment issues into work has launched this month, with Preston City Council and Pendle Borough Council approving its delivery with funding sourced through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The project, called Move Forward, is set to run until March 2024, and aims to empower residents who are currently facing multiple barriers to employment. It differs from other services, such as those delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, in that it aims to provide tailored support to individuals who are facing a more complex range of barriers. 

These include having limited work experience, physical or mental health issues, caregiver responsibilities, a lack of aspiration, substance abuse issues, language barriers, experience of domestic violence, homelessness and more.

Move Forward will work with each participant to meet their needs and challenges. It will provide them with access to job seeking support, volunteering and workplace opportunities, free training – including maths, English for speakers of other languages and digital skills - and optional free lifestyle activities to boost confidence and wellbeing of participants. 

The new service is managed by two major social businesses, Selnet and the charity Active Lancashire, alongside a network of delivery partners who will provide tailored mentoring, employment support and more. 

In Pendle delivery partners will include Positive Action in the Community, New Era and Child Access North West. In Preston these will include Lancashire Women, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Onward, Beanstalk, the Foxton Centre, Integrated Care Board, Lancashire Community Finance and PHX Training.

Both organisations managing Move Forward have experience delivering very similar projects in the recent past across Lancashire with funding from the European Social Fund, including Selnet’s Building Better Opportunities and Active Lancashire’s MPT Steps.

Move Forward is set to support 88 people in Preston and 21 in Pendle.

Adrian Leather, CEO of Active Lancashire, said, "Move Forward embodies our commitment to helping individuals in Lancashire reach their full potential. We believe that personal and professional development are intertwined, and this initiative reflects our dedication to fostering growth on all levels. As with employment and skills projects that we currently manage on behalf of other councils, activity sessions will be used to support the skills and motivation of those we work with.”

Alison Davies, Programme Manager at Selnet, said, "We have always been dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to overcome the  difficulties they face. Move Forward embodies this commitment, offering a comprehensive support package and guidance for those who need help to get into work. We are excited to be part of this collaborative effort."

Councillor Jennifer Mein, Preston Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said, “Preston Council is proud to work with Selnet and Active Lancashire, as well as a range of local partners who have been engaged to deliver the Move Forward project. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to support and uplift our community members facing various challenges in their job search journey. This initiative will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of many residents in our area."

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Council, said, Move Forward mirrors our unwavering commitment to supporting residents who find it challenging entering work. We are proud to support this new initiative and confident that Selnet, Active Lancashire and the project's local delivery partners will have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of many residents within our area.”

Move Forward has received £232,413.12 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with most of the funding being allocated to local delivery partners, which in turn is also supporting local business growth. £52,413.12 of this total has been awarded via Pendle Council and £180,000 via Preston Council.

Find out more about Move Forward at www.moveforward.org.uk