Press Releases

November 25 2005

East Manchester project scoops employment award

For the second year running, an East Manchester project has scooped a prestigious employment award at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's New Deal for Communities and Neighbourhood Management Awards 2005. Having beaten off stiff competition from other employment projects across the country, East Manchester's Intensive Support Project (ISP), which has supported nearly 400 residents and helped over 70 local people to find, secure and keep jobs, was presented with the award by Baroness Andrews, Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, at a special ceremony in London.

Now in its third year, the Intensive Support Project (ISP), jointly funded by NDC and ERDF, has had a positive impact in East Manchester. Part of the Employment and Regeneration Partnership, the initiative supports long-term unemployed residents with mental health issues, residents with drug and alcohol problems, people with criminal records, the homeless, single parent families, people with disabilities and refugees and asylum seekers.

Baroness Andrews, Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "The purpose of the ODPM awards is to recognise the achievement, dedication and hard work of individuals and groups in delivering real change. It is the hard work of projects like ISP that will achieve the sustained changes that we all want, to improve life chances for all - both young and old."

Sean McGonigle, New Deal for Communities Co-ordinator commented: "Its really pleasing that we have been recognised in this way two years running. To get this second national employment accolade is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Employment and Regeneration Partnership who tirelessly work to improve employment opportunities for the most disadvantaged groups in our community."