Last updated 15:44, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

THE Return to Work programme has proved an outstanding success for national training provider Routes to Work.

welcome aboard: Paul Lee, development manager, welcomes Lisa Thompson to the Rising Sun Trust as the new Know Project facilitator

The county-wide project, launched in January, offers tailored, flexible support and training for people who have claimed incapacity benefits for six months or more.

It has seen clients of all ages and abilities access training and development to help them return to work.

Lisa Thompson had been off work with depression when she sought help from Routes to Work in August. After numerous interviews and discussions with the team she was placed with the Rising Sun Trust, a drug and alcohol abuse service.

Lisa, 21, of Workington, began taking on administrative tasks for the Know Project for an initial period of 16 weeks. “The project enables us to work in schools with young people aged 13-14 offering advice and information on drug and alcohol misuse,” Lisa said. “I’m now the project facilitator for the project and I’ll soon be looking to go into the schools with the rest of the team.

“To help me with the job – and for my own benefit – I’m taking an adult education counselling course at St Joseph’s School.”

Paul Lee, development manager at the Rising Sun Trust, said: “Lisa has been doing really well; she’s become a valued member of the team. With getting more involved in the project she has been able to take further training and development with the likes of courses in safeguarding children and drug awareness.”

Lisa added: “I was very nervous before I started working at the Rising Sun Trust and didn’t leave the house much but now I’m much more confident.”

IN MAY Linda Graham was referred to the Return to Work programme from Jobcentre Plus. Linda wanted to get back into employment after having a son and spoke to the team at Routes to Work.

“I had mentioned that I enjoyed arts and crafts so when they called me to suggest a place at Home Interiors, I couldn’t wait,” she said. “I started working at Home Interiors in June and my initial role was office jobs and shop work. It was a great step back into employment as the business was family-owned so it was an easy working environment. I really enjoyed it.”

Linda, 38, from Maryport, had always enjoyed art and design and so the nature of the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen design business suited her perfectly. She now helps put rough designs for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms on the computer and is in the middle of an ECDL course.

“Working in this environment has really given me back my confidence. I can access help and support from the Return to Work programme whenever I need to.

“It’s definitely something I would suggest others to do as the opportunities are endless. But you have to make that step and access the help because it is out there available for you.”