Cornwall Works

Delivering for Families

Being out of work affects not just individuals and their opportunities in life, but also those of their family – such as the ability to provide for children and to care for family members. In turn this can affect a whole range of other issues such as the self esteem, health and future prospects of family members, both adults and children alike.

It is important that employment and skills provision, including delivery through the European Social Fund (ESF) works alongside and adds value to other help for families to ensure that the right package of support is in place for all members of a household. Simply providing back to work support to an individual in isolation without looking at the needs of the household is unlikely to have a sustainable impact. Success is far more likely if support is targeted in a joined up way, whether that is from the Work Programme, ESF or Local Authority support for families.

Supporting people into work increases economic independence, broadens opportunities and positively changes people’s lives and the lives of their families. The  ESF Convergence programme is positively impacting on families and people in workless households in a range of different ways:

Neil Woodside went into care when his mum couldn’t cope and ended up getting into drugs and in jail but through Fifteen Cornwall is looking forwards to full time work and setting up home, back in touch with his daughter – for more visit Fifteen Cornwall....



Cornwall Works WISE Award winner (http://www.cornwallworks.org.uk/cornwall-works/wise-awards.html) Jeff Davies lost his job following a back injury resulting in his marriage breakdown and becoming homeless. With support from Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities and its delivery partners Jeff is now employed for 16 hours a week, off benefits, has financial independence, security and self confidence and looking forward to playing a key role in his children’s futures – for more visit Cornwall Convergence.....

Jack Latham Byrne was not in education, employment or training (NEET) when he discovered the XtraVert programme. Now he is part of a social enterprise building skate ramps, bespoke furniture and wooden surf boards. Jack is now running learning programmes in schools with young people, introducing them to woodwork first hand. “It’s great to see kids, naughty kids like I was, really get into something,” he continues, “they relate to us, because we’re not teachers, because we’re like them.”  Read Jack’s story here: Jack's Story..... 

To maximise its impact it is vital that ESF Convergence is used alongside and adds value to wider family support provided through local authorities and their partners. Providing support for people moving into work within the wider context of the needs of the family as a whole will help improve the opportunities for the entire household as well as help tackle the specific employability issues being faced. Children’s’ Centres play a vital role in joining up services for families. To find out more information about Children’s Centres in Cornwall click here.

Delivering for Families Case Study – Real Baby Milk CIC

Real Baby Milk CIC is a social enterprise based in Bodmin, who work very closely with the NHS and Cornwall Council (Children’s Centres). They have recently completed a project with the Community Grants Programme, Accreditation for Peer Support Volunteers in Cornwall, with some excellent results for supporting women wanting to return to work.

The project has equipped women with a recognised qualification and volunteering experience that has assisted them with their confidence and skills for their return to work. Most of the women are now volunteering at their local breastfeeding support groups and supporting more mums to breastfeed for as long as they want to. Since the project, 52 existing volunteers attended a one day course to convert their training to the new accredited course; the volunteers really valued the accreditation.  8 trainees have gone on to get employment with Real Baby Milk, 3 have gone on to become maternity support workers and others have gone on to further related education and jobs.

The trained peer supporters are also benefitting their local communities by providing local peer support for women who are in need of breastfeeding support.  For women who live in rural isolation, this project has enabled them to network and become an active volunteer in community activities in their area.

The project was delivered by four trainers who completed a PTTLS course and are employees of Real Baby Milk, with most of the courses being delivered in Children’s Centre venues across Cornwall.

One mum in North Cornwall, a young mum of 22 when she gave birth, was breastfeeding and out of work claiming benefits.  Her partner left her and she came along to do the peer support accredited training.  Through this training her confidence improved and she began to volunteer on a regular basis and undertook further related training.  When a position became available at Real Baby Milk she applied for it and was successful.  She now works for the company 20 hours per week and is off most benefits.  She has gone on to complete several other training courses through her employment and has developed her skills and confidence.

Through contact with healthcare professionals, children’s centres and via word of mouth the project has helped over 190 women, and now has a waiting list for their training.

Click here to visit the Real Baby Milk website, where you can find information on breastfeeding and related issues, or here to see the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly page on their site.  

Delivering for Families Case Study – Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise

The East Cornwall Citizens Advice Bureau – ECCABI, which was part of the Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise project, has seen success with young mum Laura Sawicz. Laura, mother of a 4 year old son, had no previous experience of working but is now training as a receptionist for ECCABI in the Helston bureau and is helping others in the process.

When Laura first got in contact with ECCABI she had very low self esteem and confidence. Her lack of previous work and skills was proving a struggle to find employment.

Laura joined the Gateway Assessment Training programme, where she developed a variety of skills in customer service, including telephone, communication and IT skills. This led to an opportunity for her to train as a receptionist, where she is now dealing directly with members of the public who are sometimes distressed and in need of support.

ECCABi offers training and work based experience. The two main roles offered are Gateway Assessor, which involves using an electronic script to answer office telephone calls in Redruth and Saltash, developing telephone reception and customer service skills; and the role of Advice Worker which involves problem solving for participants, developing research and communication skills.

Since 2008, almost 1500 people were supported via the Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise programme and 572 of those helped into work.

Click here to find out how you can volunteer with the CAB in Cornwall.

Delivering for Families Case Study – Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise

Carole Carlisle works as a tutor for the Community and Hospital Education Service. After suffering from ill health she wanted to return to work. She got involved with the arts community in Newlyn who put her in contact with the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO).

Through the ESF Convergence programme Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise, RIO set Carole on a programme which runs workshops on rebuilding confidence and provided her with counselling. When a job arose they supported her with job interview technique, CV and the application process. Carole got the job and is happy in her return to work, stating:

“I really forgot what a normal life was, my children said to me ‘Mum, you’re back to being Mum!’ which is wonderful”. 

Click here to find out more about the Real Ideas Organisation.

Surf Action and Families

Surf Action, the community interest company that supports veterans through surfing, is also having a positive effect on the families of the people it works with.

Click here to view a video of what Surf Action does and how it brings families together.

For more information on Surf Action click here to go to our Surf Action page, or here to visit the Surf Action website.

Young Mums Will Achieve

An award-winning project that offered further education and personal support to teenage mothers and pregnant teenagers in Cornwall, Young Mums Will Achieve had a big impact on the Mums involved and their families. Click here to find out more about Young Mums Will Achieve, or here to find out about their award-winning success.

Young Mums Will Achieve ran from November 2009 until July 2011.