The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is delighted to announce the arrival of a new partnership project dedicated to improving lives for people living in Meir.
Since 1999, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) charity has been committed to building prosperity and opportunity for the 5.7 million people living in former coalfield communities in England, Scotland and Wales.
Today (18th November) the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is proud to launch CRT Engage programme, working in Meir with existing partners to remove wellbeing and skills barriers and support people into work.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has funded and employed Jenny Ellis as a Health & Wellbeing Activator and Jake Rafferty-Ford as Community Employment & Skills Coach. Together they will work to provide intensive one to one support to remove the barriers the people furthest from the job market can face, these can include anxiety, depression, skills training and travel costs. There will also be a number of community activities including coffee mornings, exercise sessions and quizzes to bring people together.
The CRT Engage programme has been operating successfully in the Five Towns area of West Yorkshire for the past two years. In that time, 978 people have taken part in the CRT Engage programme. Between March and November 2022, 55 people were given improved skills, training or helped into a job.
This is the latest investment into Stoke-on-Trent by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust as part of its continued commitment to building prosperity and opportunity in the city. It comes after Richard Stevens was appointed CRT Regional Development Manager for the West Midlands just over a year ago with the aim of supporting local community organisations and helping them to secure additional funding as well as provide networking and training to help local charities thrive. Richard will manage Jenny and Jake and lead on the CRT’s operations in Stoke-on-Trent.
Richard Stevens, West Midlands Regional Development Manager for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said:
“We are incredibly excited to be expanding the work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Stoke-on-Trent.
“Our CRT Engage programme has already been in operation in Knottingley, West Yorkshire and we know the difference it can make.
“I’m thrilled that we are now able to roll out our CRT Engage Programme in Stoke-on-Trent with our partners and I know Jenny and Jake are really looking forward to meeting people in Meir to help improve their lives and reach their full potential.”
Jack Brereton MP, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South said:
“I am pleased to see the launch of the CRT Engage programme in Meir.
“I have been working closely with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to support these programmes and I look forward to seeing the difference it can make here in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Councillor Faisal Hussain, Councillor for Meir South on City of Stoke-on-Trent Council and Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent said:
“Meir is a fantastic community, but it has well known challenges when it comes to meeting the skills and wellbeing needs to enable local people to access their fair share of opportunities.
“This is why I am delighted to welcome the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to the family of local organisations dedicated to improving our community and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
If you are wanting to access the project, please email Jenny Ellis, Health & Wellbeing Activator at:
[email protected]
