Grants available in Portsmouth to help people into jobs

A £300,000 pot of grants is available to help Portsmouth residents into employment.

Local community and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged by Portsmouth City Council to apply for a grant of up to £60,000 to support individuals facing complex barriers into employment.

The Solent Supporting Employment programme is offering grants for organisations in the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area with a proven record in employability to deliver new and innovative projects.

£300,000 is available for organisations in Portsmouth for projects which must focus on getting people closer to, or into, employment and be aimed at those from BAME communities, people with disabilities, long-term unemployed, or individuals marginalised by factors such as mental health issues, age and homelessness.

The £1.76 million programme has been launched by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF).

Cllr Steve Pitt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, said: “In the wake of the pandemic and unemployment significantly rising, this is more important now than ever before.

“These grants will allow our community organisations to help people in our city as they move towards employment.”

Portsmouth City Council will be working closely with HIVE Portsmouth to ensure organisations supported by HIVE are aware of the grants, but applications from all voluntary and third-sector organisations in the city are welcomed.

Louise Wilders, CEO at HIVE Portsmouth, said: “The grants offer a vital resource to support our community organisations and I hope that many groups will be thinking of new and exciting projects to support employability in the city.”

Organisations wanting to apply are encouraged to register for one of two online briefing sessions in the next few weeks and submit their application before Wednesday, September 16. Grants of between £30,000 and £60,000 are available.

Find out more on the HIWCF website.

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