Springboard into work

 In a bid to get more people into work and reduce poverty in its neighbourhoods, social landlord Riverside is launching a new project to support jobless residents in Liverpool.

The Springboard project, funded by Liverpool City Council, is targeting some of the most deprived areas in the country, to help the long term unemployed, or those in and out of work, back into the jobs market.

A team of four, based at Riverside’s Netherley office, is working with residents in the Belle Vale, Speke, Garston, Kensington and Fairfield areas of Liverpool.

 The team has already secured employment and training for 61 people and provided information, advice and guidance to over 150.  As well as this, they have met around 300 people at local community events and talked to many tenants about the project.

Phil McNabb is Springboard team leader.  He said:   “As a social landlord Riverside is in the unique position of having direct contact with some of the poorest in society, who for a variety of reasons are trapped in the benefits cycle.  Our project is bridging the gap between workless residents and existing agencies that provide welfare to work programmes.  Not only to help people back to work, but also to impact on economic growth in some of the most deprived areas of the country.”  

The Springboard team is available at Job Centres, JET offices, Sure Start Centres and Job cafes.  For more information contact Riverside’s 24 hour Customer Service Centre on 0845 111 0000 and ask to speak to a Springboard officer.