Member Article

Easington pilot gets people back to work

A pilot project to test new ways of helping people to move off incapacity benefit and into work is to see some of its findings rolled out across County Durham after successfully getting more than 150 people into jobs.

Aim High Routeback was launched in Easington in 2005, with the task of making it easier for those on incapacity benefits to get back into work. Jobseekers were offered support from GPs and other health professionals as well as more tailored advice on writing a CV and completing job applications.

County Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trusts now plan to use the pilot’s findings to launch a new countywide programme.

Aim High Routeback’s co-ordinator, Joanne Benson, said: “The remarkable thing about this project was the changes clients were able to make to their lives which surpassed the original expectations of the project, in that clients achieved more than a return to work.”

Graeme Greig, Public Health Partnership and Performance Manager from County Durham PCT said: “Aim High Routeback has demonstrated that there is much scope for targeted health interventions both to improve health and support people back into employment. It is the intention of the PCT to roll out an employability health support programme in County Durham with our key partners in the coming year.”

Easington, described as one of the most deprived communities in the country, was featured on this week’s episode of Channel 4 programme The Secret Millionaire, which focused on the town’s community spirit and the residents’ eagerness to improve their lives through hard work.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .