Remploy Cymru, the leading employment and skills specialist for people with disabilities and health conditions, has been awarded the contract to deliver the UK Government’s new Work and Health Programme in Wales. The programme is set to launch in Wales on 1 December.
The Work and Health Programme is an employment support programme providing specialised support for people who have been unemployed for more than two years and, on a voluntary basis, to those with health conditions or disabilities. It replaces two existing employment support schemes, the Work Programme and Work Choice.
The programme will support 16,000 people across the country to develop the skills they require to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives.
Delivery of the programme will be supported by Remploy’s Community Partnership Network comprising more than 40 organisations offering specialist advice and support across a range of issues including mental health conditions, drug and alcohol addiction and homelessness.
Gareth Parry, Remploy Chief Executive said: “For more than 70 years in Wales, Remploy has been supporting disabled people and those with health conditions into work. We are delighted to have been chosen to deliver the UK Government’s Work and Health Programme, supported by the Welsh Government.
“We have developed an innovative approach to deliver the programme, offering people who are looking for work additional support through our online customer portal, as well as local community support delivered in collaboration with our Community Partnership Network.”
Remploy Cymru will deliver the service through more than 75 delivery locations in every spread across all local authority areas in Wales, including three multi-disciplinary community hubs at Swansea, Newport and Wrexham. These delivery locations bring together specialist providers, charities and services in one location delivering personalised and integrated support to job seekers.
Gareth Parry added: “Since 2010 Remploy has found jobs for more than 18,000 disabled and disadvantaged people in Wales.
We are passionate about our commitment to Wales and we will continue to work closely with partners, including the Welsh Government and Jobcentre Plus, to ensure that we support the developing Working Wales strategy.”
