Work scheme aims to give individuals in recovery a fresh start

A new city council service has been launched in Portsmouth and surrounding areas to help people rebuild their lives through employment after recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.

RE:WORK is based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment, which research has shown is effective in helping people back into sustained work as part of their recovery.

The new service, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and backed by the Department of Health and Social Care for three years, has been established to take referrals from Hampshire NHS Inclusion teams at Fareham, Gosport and Havant and from the Society of St James in Portsmouth. The health teams will refer to RE:WORK people who have shown the courage and commitment to go through recovery treatment programmes to recover from their addictions and who now want to get a job.

The partnership between Crowdfunder UK has been renewed for another year by Portsmouth City Council to support business and community projects over the next year.

than ever that our start-up businesses and community organisations can get access to funding support in order to deliver on great ideas that benefit our communities and economy in Portsmouth.”

The four-strong RE:WORK team will work with employers and clients to set up sustainable employment opportunities across the south Hampshire area. RE:WORK Team Leader Stephen Hogan said the new project was focused on building sustainable employment opportunities for people - a key part of the city council's regeneration programme for the region.

He said: “We want to reach out to employers to work with in partnership. Clients we will work with and support will come from a variety of previous employment backgrounds and now want to move forward into work as part of their personal rebuilding and recovery journeys.

“Our clients will have shown commitment and motivation to change their lives for the betterqualities we feel employers are looking for. Reporting back to government, we will celebrate success and highlight employers who have worked with us to help clients change their lives.”

For further information on RE:WORK, contact: IPS@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Or visit: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ips

The partnership helps to make great ideas happen through a combination of match funding, expert crowdfunding coaching and events. Monies raised through crowdfunding can be match funded up to the value of £5,000.

‘The Crowdfunder partnership benefits local business and community projects’

The council launched the Crowdfunder partnership two years ago. Crowdfunder Portsmouth has supported 34 projects in the city including Natty's Jerk who raised funding for a fixed premises, new equipment for the Portsmouth Golden Gloves Boxing Club’s, Octopus Story a multimedia arts project and Cumberland Infant School's green spaces. £212,068 raised on the crowdfunding platform by qualifying community projects was matched by council funds of £105,730 over the duration of the project.

Portsmouth City Council are able to continue funding Crowdfunder following approval from councillors to support businesses through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Jane Lamer, Head of Economic Development and Skills at Portsmouth City Council, said: “The Crowdfunder partnership benefits local business and community projects. It is more important

There are currently two funds available; Portsmouth Small Business fund which supports new business startups and existing small businesses to grow and Portsmouth CIL Transformation Fund which support community projects that have a wider community benefit. This funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy fund (CIL), which allows local authorities to raise funds from developers who are undertaking new building projects in their area.

The latest business to launch a Crowdfunder campaign is The Portsmouth Distillery. After winning ‘Best Rum’ in the Great British Food Awards 2022 this start up business are ready to grow to the next level to reach a national market.

Marcus Wilson, Crowdfunder Programme Lead at Shaping Portsmouth, said: “This is fantastic news that Portsmouth City Council have made such a positive decision to renew their agreement with Crowdfunder. To continue to have the council supporting investment in businesses and community projects, utilising Crowdfunder, is so enabling, and really helps to keep an upward trajectory on the benefits across Portsmouth. A big thank you as this is a very meaningful contribution for the future.’’

For more information visit portsmouth.gov.uk/cil or call the Business Helpline on 023 9284 1641