Study Visit to Liverpool

21 October 2009

On 21st October 2009, Unlocking ESF Potential took 9 London third sector organisations on a study visit to Liverpool where there has been extensive ESF investment in the third sector to develop sustainable employment schemes as part of major regional regeneration. The focus of the visit was on third sector ESF providers and their initiatives to deliver employment-related outputs and outcomes.

The day began with a visit to the regional third sector ESF network, Merseyside Network for Europe (MNE), which uses Technical Assistance from the European Structural Funds to provide third sector organisations across Merseyside with information and representation on the European programmes.

The group then heard about the work of East Liverpool Economic Community Trust Ltd (ELECT), a community regeneration company based in East Liverpool. Representatives from ELECT described how they provide tailored support to individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to enable them to gain sustainable employment or self-employment though a range of vocational schemes. Their ELECT2WORK scheme provides real job and work placement opportunities, one to one coaching and flexible skills training.

Later in the afternoon, the group visited CREATE Community Recycling and Training, a charity and social business based in Speke in Liverpool. The group toured CREATE’s premises where they recycle or refurbish white goods like fridges, freezers, cookers and washing machines as part of their scheme to provide training and real work experience and learning opportunities for long term unemployed adults or those with a disadvantage in the workplace. CREATE’s aim is to give these adults 'employability' through personal support, training, work experience and support with job search.

What came across strongly from the contact with both ELECT and CREATE was the importance of providing individual support to achieving sustainable employment outcomes. Both organizations stressed the need to recognise people’s individual circumstances and to tailor the support to address the particular barriers that they face. Both also described the need to have very good links with employers, and to provide ongoing support to their beneficiaries even after they take up employment.

The director at CREATE also talked in detail about their formula for running a sustainable organisation that would continue to be financially viable. He was able to draw comparisons between the operation of their organisation and a similar organisation in London that was forced to close down.

The participants in the study visit were very positive about the day and provided feedback including:

‘The visit enlightened me about the whole idea of job placement and apprenticeship.’

‘Both visits were very informative, particularly because CREATE is such a relevant project enabling unemployed/ex-offenders to get back to work (social inclusion).’

‘Very informative. Gained great insight into issues and operation of projects.’

‘Good examples of how to approach the challenge of delivering social and economic outputs in the present economic climate.’

‘Picked up some useful ideas and learnt more about other funded projects and what works and what doesn’t work.’

For more information contact ingrid.babcock@lvstc.org.uk

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