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September 2008
> D&S To Share Best Practice At National Conference
Derwent & Solway Housing Association’s groundbreaking Routes 2 Work initiative has received much recognition since being introduced in 2005, most notably having been named winners in the Tackling Worklessness category at the Housing Corporation Gold Awards 2008 earlier this year.
D&S, a member of Harvest Housing Group, is due to share knowledge regarding the issue of tackling worklessness with other housing providers at the Gold Award Conference at the Royal Armouries, Leeds on Thursday 2 October.
The conference is aimed at housing providers who are looking to improve their performance or who are unfamiliar with the area. Delegates will have the opportunity to gain an insight into what Gold Award winners have done to earn their Award and will be able to explore innovative and practical ideas for their own work programmes regarding tackling worklessness.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in themed workshops that will enable the identification of common issues, the development of shared solutions and strong peer networks. Discussion topics will centre on; Making funding work, Partnership working, Identifying and removing barriers and Tailoring training to individual needs.
The successful Routes 2 Work project, delivered by Derwent & Solway Housing Association with support from Harvest Housing Group, aims to address the unique employment barriers and challenges facing the community in West Cumbria. Since it began it has successfully assisted 2000 people into employment through bespoke packages of support including; Classroom Assistant courses, Retail Training Initiatives and personal development activities aimed at helping participants overcome the psychological barriers to gaining work that can arise from long term unemployment.
The scheme helps to support individuals, groups and whole communities in overcoming social and economic isolation; reducing unemployment, the negative social impacts it can fuel and bringing community-wide improvements.
The Housing Corporation launched the Gold Award to identify and share best practice in order to support improvement in the sector. Attending the Gold Award Conference is just one way in which D&S have been involved in information sharing activities with other Registered Social Landlords and Local Authorities since being awarded the prestigious accolade.
Continuing their commitment to sharing best practice, the Housing Association will be holding their own conference on 2 December entitled: ‘Working Together to Tackle Worklessness’ at the Wave Centre in Cumbria. Individuals wishing to attend should contact Helena Banfield at Harvest Housing Group helena.banfield@harvesthousing.org.uk.