Projects working with People
Economic Participation
For the financial year 2009/10 funding from
the East of England Development Agency that was formerly packaged
as “Investing in Communities“ (IIC) funding, has been rebranded as
“Economic Participation” (EP). Whereas the IIC funding was
previously administered by the Bedfordshire and Luton Economic
Development Partnership (BLEDP) over the whole Bedfordshire and
Luton area, this organisation has now been disbanded. The funding
will now be managed by Bedford Borough Council over its area,
providing an opportunity to tackle local needs where they are
found.
The main purpose of the programme is to tackle
worklessness, and to ensure that individuals realise their
potential within the workforce. The priority areas for activity in
Bedford have been highlighted as supporting enterprise and
developing skills.
Seven packages of activity are to be delivered
in 2009/10, and are as follows:
- The i-Create Incubator Project – This facility
is currently being developed to offer 8 studio spaces for local
artists and creative businesses. This will be linked into support
from partner organisations such as Bedford College and Bedford
Creative Arts.
- Bedford Skills Bank – A skills development and
advice centre in a High Street location. The centre offers services
to individuals suffering from worklessness or wishing to
retrain.
- Enterprise Support – A number of local
providers, to include Exemplas, Wenta and the Princes Trust have
combined to deliver a package of services offering support to
businesses.
- Skills Development – A packages of services will
be delivered offering various courses in Bedford. The aim of these
services will be to increase levels of community based learning and
to help individuals get on to some of the large schemes already
available in Bedford, such as Train to Gain .
- Learn to Earn – A programme where
representatives from Young Enterprise will hold group sessions with
13-16 year olds in locals schools, mentoring and supporting pupils
to ensure that upon reach 16 they either remain in education, or
enter training or employment.
- Healthy Steps – This will be a project with the
NHS Primary Care Trust, offering support and opportunities for
those accessing Incapacity Benefit to return to work.
- Enterprise Markets
For further information contact Lindsay Mitton, Economic
Development Manager (Regeneration) on (01234) 276918 or at
Lindsay.Mitton@bedford.gov.uk
Future Jobs Fund
The Future Jobs Fund was a part of the Young Person’s Guarantee
Fund. To find out how successful the contract, awarded in late 2009
was, visit our Future Jobs Fund
page.
Art in Empty Shops
There are plans in place to display artwork in
the two vacant retail units and the two vacant restaurant units in
the new Castle Quay Development in Bedford, complimenting the Art
Gallery, Museum and rich cultural surroundings of this area. The
scheme will give local artists, creative networking groups, schools
and Bedford College an opportunity to showcase their work in the
public domain and will also bring vibrancy to units that are
currently unused, improving the shopping experience and overall
appearance of the area.
We hope to extend this scheme into the Town
Centre, including High Street, Silver Street and Midland
Road.
The scheme has been advertised through local
artist’s network groups, including Creative Bedfordshire, in order
that individuals could also apply to display their work.
Application forms are available by contacting Lindsay Mitton in
Economic Development on 01234 276918 or at Lindsay.Mitton@bedford.gov.uk
Jobs, Skills and Enterprise Events
In partnership with employers, training
providers and business support agencies, The Jobs Hub and
Jobcentre Plus are developing a programme of
activities in order to support residents who are seeking work,
wishing to improve their career prospects or start-up their own
business.
Events and activities will take place in
community and Town Centre locations. For further
details or to request a local event, please contact
Lindsay Mitton, Economic Development Manager on
01234 276918 or at Lindsay.Mitton@bedford.gov.uk.
Commitment to Working in the Community
Working with target communities through local
groups and utilising the Street Rangers wherever possible enables
the Regeneration Unit to gain an in depth knowledge of Bedford’s
communities. This helps to shape the services that are delivered in
that area. Recent activity includes Pathway to Work advice
sessions, which have been held in Kingsbrook and Cauldwell
wards.
For information on Physical Regeneration Projects in the Borough
please view our Regeneration
Projects page.