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New training and volunteering opportunities available to help Exeter's unemployed move closer to work.

Exeter CVS has been selected by Job Centre Plus as a partner in its Flexible Fund to help people who are unemployed and face additional barriers to working to move closer to the job market in the city. The pilot project is funded until March next year, and will link closely with another project at Exeter CVS funded through the BIG Lottery Fund that promotes volunteering as a means of returning to the workplace.

The ambitious project will use a combination of community learning and targeted volunteering opportunities to help up to 90 people who are long-term unemployed, single parents, carers, over 50, or returning to work after ill-health.

Participants will be able to develop personal confidence, employability skills, numeracy & literacy, and IT skills as well as receiving more practical help with job-seeking skills including CV writing and interview skills.

Von Mathieson, Project Manager who is working on the partnership project with Job Centre Plus said:

"We are very excited to have this opportunity to partner with Devon's Job Centre Plus on this project. Exeter CVS have long demonstrated that the voluntary sector is able to be innovative, responsive, and offers outstanding value to the public. A small investment in a project like this can reap great rewards for local people, and will be a boost to the community."

"This announcement comes at a very timely moment, as January will see the start of our Volunteering for Stronger Communities project, which will particularly promote volunteering as a means of helping unemployed people improve their skills, try roles in new sectors, and improve their chances of finding work, while at the same time bringing benefit to the local community."

Exeter CVS would like to hear from anyone who would like to participate in the project. Participants should be unemployed and currently in receipt of benefits. They are particularly keen to hear from people who are over 50, single parents, returning to work after ill-health or carers.

For more information call Emily McCarthy, Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator, on 01392 202055 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .