Funding from the National Lottery will support a High Peak charity's effort to help the long term unemployed over the next three years. 

Zink support people into jobs, education, training, or other activity like volunteering to help them move into work through their Spring - Towards Work Programme.  

The grant funding from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund will replace previous European Social Fund (ESF) programmes which end on Friday (31 March). 

Paul Bohan, CEO at Zink, explained: "When ESF ended, support for long term unemployed people to get into work wouldn’t be available, the lottery funding will plug that gap." 

He said they had learned from ESF programmes and made some improvements to make the project meet the specific needs of the High Peak.  

Paul added: “For example, eligibility conditions include people geographically isolated and there is special provision for women experiencing problems getting work because of the menopause.” 

Zink's qualified work and careers coaches work one to one with participants to help them to move into the job or course they want.  

Any High Peak or Derbyshire Dales resident can arrange to meet a Zink work coach in Buxton, Glossop, New Mills or Bamford. If these locations are not suitable, alternative arrangements can be made. 

“When people have been unemployed for some time or something like health or childcare stands in the way of getting a job, it can be difficult to figure out what to do,” said Paul. 

“Zink’s work coaches will help people take steps towards a job they want at a pace that suits them. We’re grateful to the Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting this project.” 

To get help towards work, you can contact Jane Kirk Bagshaw, senior work coach at Zink, by calling or texting 07507 937554 or emailing jane@zink.org.uk. To find out more, visit www.zink.org.uk 

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