A scheme supporting local people to move forward with their lives held their first meeting of the New Year recently.

The Inclusion Cornwall Village Works event was held at Helston Methodist Church – a chance for people to drop in, grab a pasty, and have a chat.

Village Works is an initiative that has been running for more than ten years in Cornwall, at a local level, to get the most economically excluded and unemployed better skilled, more confident, improve self-esteem to get into, or back into, work.

It is funded by the European Social fund (ESF) and run by Inclusion Cornwall and Disability Cornwall.

The main aim of the scheme is to get stuck in locally, to meet up and engage with the people, and then team them with the right local help so they can live and work independently and well.

At the event Natalie Goldsworthy of Inclusion Cornwall told Nub News:

"We invite the customers in for a cup of tea and a Pasty. There is not really a set time limit right now, we just let them come in, have a chat. I think people find it easier to come in and speak in person instead of over the phone because it is more personal. We can give them some sort of action plan to go off with, so they know what to follow up with over the next month.

"We do a lot of work with employment, CV's and getting people back into work. There is also the wellbeing side of it, we host walking groups, trying to come up with new ideas to help people get out and meet others.

"We get such a wide range of people, somebody could come to us as they have no heating, or the ability to go out and get food. You've got to think, when people are in that situation, how can you expect them to go and get a job? You've got to make sure people are comfortable and ready to be able to get themselves into work."

Some of the other upcoming activities include a Dungeons and Dragons group and Wellbeing Walks from Porthleven into Helston. Inclusion Cornwall are at The Methodist Church regularly on a Thursday morning.

Adele Nankervis of Disability Cornwall added:

"This time is always a difficult one, but it is a chance to start a new and look into the future, get people in and start looking at what's around. The beauty about this project is that it's very individualised. There is a lot out there, but it might be set between 6 weeks or 12 weeks, whereas Village Works helps people throughout the process. Once you've got a job then we will carry on supporting you for six months afterwards. If you want to get involved, there is a drop-in session every Thursday between 10am and 12pm."

A spokesperson for Village Works added:

"So if you, or someone you know, lives in Helston or the Lizard, are out of work or unable to work through ill health; perhaps you are retired, and looking for something else to do. Maybe you are a student thinking ahead or a carer or parent with some free time. Ring us on 01872 326440 or email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you."

Click here to see more news and updates from Village Works.

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