Funding awarded to Stepping Stones NI to secure employment for 56 adults
February 14, 2019
The awarding of £400,000 over four years (2018 – 2022) to the ‘Stepping Stones to Employment Service’ from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will result in a minimum of 56 adults with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, a learning disability or learning difficulty gaining employment and 387 participants across the Council area progressing through its service.
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council funding was provided to match-fund Stepping Stones application to the European Social Fund Funding Agreement. The total annual cost of the Stepping Stones NI project (£946k) is also part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Department for Communities.
Speaking about the funding Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee, Alderman William Leathem, said: “For the last 20 years Stepping Stones NI has been at the heart of our local community providing essential services and delivering social enterprises that support people with learning disabilities and learning difficulties in order for them to realise their full potential. The funding for their latest project will ultimately mean a better future for those who face barriers to employment. The project will deliver its services across four council areas with the most concentration of project delivery to participants in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area (62%).”
Chairman of Lagan Rural Partnership, Alderman Allan Ewart, MBE, commented: “The Council is delighted to fund the Stepping Stones NI project as it will contribute so much value to several of the strategic themes of our Corporate and Community Plan. It will bring about tangible results that will change the lives of so many in a way that they may have never imagined. As a result of increased employability people will have more spending power so the local economy will also feel the positive effects of the project. We look forward to working in partnership with Stepping Stones NI on this project and wish Paula and her team continued success with the great work they do”.
Chief Officer of Stepping Stones NI, Paula Jennings commented: “We are delighted that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council have continued to support us in our work and that they can see the impact of our work throughout the council area over the last 20 years. We know that our model of support works with proven results in skills attainment, qualifications and jobs. We are also extremely proud of work in changing perceptions and in proving that people who experience barriers to employment can get a paid job and stay in that job”.
The Stepping Stones to Employment initiative, will run for four years starting April 2018, to upskill and increase employment opportunities for people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, learning difficulties. Project targets within the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area that are linked to the match funding offer are to support 56 people with disabilities into open employment (14 people per annum) and to support 387 people with disabilities to undertake accredited NVQ and OCN courses or non-accredited courses tailored to meet the demand of people with different learning needs.
The funding will also ensure the continuing development of four Lisburn based social enterprises which serve as a realistic training platform for clients. These social enterprises include The Courtyard Café, The Avenue Café, Pink Elephant Wedding Stationery and a guild commended picture framing business. Stepping Stones NI has also recently acquired new premises in Antrim Street providing an exciting new facility for its youth, training and employment service.
For more information on Stepping Stones NI please visit: https://www.steppingstonesni.com/