Black Country Futures project launch

Zebra Access is delighted to announce that they are one of the delivery partners of the newly launched ‘Black Country Futures’, an outreach project that will run over the next 2 years to help local people across the Black Country region and surrounding areas to overcome barriers and move closer to employment. The service, for those Deaf and Hard of Hearing people aged 16 and above, aims to raise aspirations, develop personal and employability skills, and enable participants to achieve their true potential by improving their economic stability.

Through a collaborative approach with 14 specialist delivery partners, ‘Black Country Futures’ will offer holistic support services that meet the specific needs and requirements of individual participants. Delivered on both a one-to-one and on a small group basis, topics include employability and skills training, digital inclusion workshops, volunteering opportunities, activities focused around confidence and motivation, as well as advice and guidance relating to benefits, housing, healthy living and practical life skills. 

The project will advocate an inclusive approach with dedicated support available for those who may be in need of extra assistance. This will include; individuals aged 50+, members of the BAME community, refugees, migrants, people with mental and physical health issues, those with hearing impairments, ex-offenders, lone parents, care leavers, the long-term unemployed, people at risk of redundancy or on zero hour contracts, and those who are unable to access support elsewhere, or are at risk of fuel and food poverty. 

Chris Beech, Zebra Access’s Project Development Manager commented, ‘This project presents a fantastic opportunity for local Deaf and Hard of Hearing people to access specialized support in their personal learning and employment journey, removing communication barriers along the way.’

We will be advertising for a specialised Employment Officer within the coming weeks.

Black Country Futures is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.