Last year Rosie’s* mental health issues meant she was unable to leave her house and had lost confidence in carrying out day to day tasks such as having an eye test. She had given up all hope of completing her education or finding a job.

Twelve months on Rosie has got new glasses, has enjoyed learning how to cook healthy, low costs recipes and to manage her money, has taken part in a range of different creative workshops, and is about to start an Access course at her local college – all thanks to the support she has received from her key worker provided through the EU funded Working Together Atlantic and Moor project.

The aim of the £2.98m three year project, part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth programme, is to help unemployed and economically inactive people from North East Cornwall and Bodmin Moor who are facing poverty and social exclusion to improve their self esteem, confidence and skills and encourage them into education, training, job search or employment.

Led by The Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Ltd, a specialist organisation that works with more than 100 partners, including training providers, schools, businesses, public sector organisations such as Cornwall Council and health partners, and the voluntary and community sector, the European Social Funded (ESF) project will see up to 750 people receive support to improve their health, wellbeing and finances by 2020.

Focused at individuals with mental and physical health issues, those suffering from sexual and domestic violence, substance misuse, offenders and victims of crime, people with learning disabilities and difficulties, and those with housing needs, the project involves 56 specialist organisations working together to provide participants with targeted support which meets their needs.

This support, which can be provided on a one to one or group basis, either in a person’s own home or at a community hub, includes practical advice on managing budgets, help with managing mental or physical health issues, volunteering, work taster days and interview skills, as well as the chance to try activities such as fire fighting, sports, working with horses and creative activities to help build self confidence and self esteem.

One of the providers involved in the project is the CSW group, whose key worker Nikki Speer has been providing Rosie with both practical and emotional support. The not for profit organisation provides a range of services which support businesses, young people and adults through key transition points in their lives.

Following an initial meeting at Rosie’s house to discuss her long term goals, Nikki worked with her to identify the steps she needed to take to achieve them. From helping her make an appointment with an optician and then accompanying her on the day, and sorting out her benefits, to finding courses to improve her skills and self confidence and then encouraging her to attend them, Nikki has supported Rosie at every stage of her journey.

This support has made a huge difference to Rosie’s life.  “After I picked up my glasses from the optician we went through the to-do list that Nikki had drawn up, and checked off everything. This made me feel a huge sense of achievement,” she said.

“My lifestyle and attitude to everything had already done a complete turn, and I was feeling the most motivated, confident and happy that I had been since before leaving college. I was starting to feel like a completely new person.”

Since then Rosie’s confidence has continued to grow and she is making plans for her future.  “Although my ambitions for the future have and still are changing, Nikki is still behind me with every choice I make, and is there to offer the same advice and guidance that she has been since we first started working together.

“My confidence in myself has sky-rocketed, and I feel so much better equipped to deal with anything life (or Nikki!) throws at me. Every single person I have spoken to this year has told me that I’m like a completely different person and I feel like a completely different person. There’s never anything that I don’t feel like I can deal with and I know that even if I am feeling a bit wobbly or worried about something, I can always count on Nikki to motivate and restore that confidence in me.

“I’m really looking forward to the next steps, and whatever I’m going to be doing.  Working with Nikki has opened up so many doors for me, and I now feel so much more ambitious. I am so grateful every day for everything that Nikki has helped me to achieve, and finally feel like I’m living the life that I was meant to be living, and that it’s only going to get better from here!”

Louisa Jenkins, Senior Contract Manager, for The Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Ltd, is thrilled with the success of the project which has supported more than 300 people since it was launched in March 2017. She is keen to hear from anyone who feels they would be interested in taking part.

“The Atlantic and Moor Working Together project is a great opportunity for anyone who is looking for help and support to get back into work or access training,” she said. “We can offer one to one support to help people on their journey as this can be scary for some people, and the variety of activities on offer is really broad.  We can even support with travel and childcare as well as other things like sight tests and clothes for interviews.”

For more information, Louisa Jenkins can be contacted on lcjenkins@cornwall-learning-partnership.org

*Name has been changed for this article.