BIG Lottery Funds Head 4 Work Project
Lottery fund improves life for people with mental health problems in Harrow
People in Harrow with mental health problems can get help to gain qualifications and find jobs with the support of an award announced today by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
With the grant of £209,483 from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme, Mind in Harrow will develop its training and employment project for the next three years.
The Head 4 Work project is the new Mind in Harrow training and employment project, which brings together Expert Perspectives in Training (EPIT) and TrainAware and will introduce a new project called FutureProspects. These projects will increase employers' awareness of mental health issues and develop the skills, confidence and employability of people with mental health issues.
In this project, people with mental health problems help develop and deliver TrainAware courses for health professionals and local employers on the practical problems of mental health issues. Volunteers join accredited EPIT training , helping them find employment. Each volunteer also gets a personal action plan to guide them into further education, training or employment, according to their particular needs and desires (FutureProspects).
Mark Gillham, Acting Chief Executive, Mind in Harrow, said: “Mind in Harrow is delighted to have been awarded this Big Lottery Fund grant. Without it Head 4 Work would not be taking place in Harrow. Now, through our project, people who experience long term mental health problems and who are unemployed will gain confidence, skills, accreditation and work, all concrete steps towards further employment and education opportunities and better mental health.
“In addition, through the TrainAware mental health awareness training courses they will deliver to local employers, they will reduce discrimination and stigma related to mental health, thus making it easier for even more people with mental health problems to get into and stay in work! We would like to say a big thank you to the Big Lottery Fund.”
Debbie Pippard, Head of Region for London for the BIG Lottery said: “This project will make a real positive difference to the lives of Londoners who struggle with mental health issues. With this Reaching Communities grant from BIG, Mind in Harrow will provide practical help and guidance to these members of the community to learn new skills and improve their life chances. We are delighted to support this project to help some of the people most in need.”