Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust kicks off landmark project to help local people get jobs in health and care
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are spearheading a landmark project to help eligible people in Southend get the skills they need to secure the jobs they want.
The Trust has been awarded just over £400,000 to deliver the programme, which aims to support people most in need to secure quality work at Southend Hospital - or in another local health or care organisation.
The Southend 2050 Ambition project is funded by the government’s UK Community Renewal Fund to support people and communities most in need.
It will invest in local organisations, who will provide support to people living in some of the most deprived areas of Southend, to help residents gain new careers in the healthcare sector.
The project is part of the Trust’s Anchor Programme, Charlotte Williams, Chief Strategy and Improvement Officer explains: “This is a first for Southend Hospital, we’ve always been there to make people better, but thanks to this ground-breaking project, we can now help people live healthier and happier and more rewarding lives, by reaching out, upskilling and getting residents into new careers.”
She continued: “We’re one of the largest employers in the region and this ambitious programme will enable us to understand how our Trust can be a force for good, by using our assets and influence to bring about change.
"By teaming up with health and care partners, local councils and the voluntary and education sector, we can create exciting and innovative employment, volunteering, internship and network opportunities for those we serve.”
The Trust’s Anchor Programme focuses on healthier and wealthier communities, creating brighter, greener and more prosperous futures.
The concept is central to achieving the NHS’ ambition to support social and economic wellbeing.
The Trust has partnered with A Better Start Southend (ABSS) to help parents and families with young children consider healthcare work via free access to childcare and a series of training events to upskill and inspire residents to embark on a career in healthcare.
Generation Medics will provide an online healthcare academy and immersive virtual work experience to support those considering making the switch into the sector. Online learning providers, PAVE and HALO, will offer courses focused on getting people into clinical and supporting healthcare roles.
Whilst South Essex Community Hub (SECH) will provide one-to-one IT training and digital assistance to help residents to develop confidence and skills. Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust will provide intensive individual support to those wishing to gain employment in the health sector.
To discover more, or sign-up, visit www.mse.nhs.uk/anchor-programme-at-southend.
Or contact the programme by email at; mse.ukcrfsouthend@nhs.net.