One-to-one support and advice is vital to help disabled and disadvantaged people, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed to seize new opportunities and work towards getting a job.

Portsmouth Craft & Manufacturing Industries, part of the City Council, has been working for 25 years to make a difference for people in south east Hampshire.

Together with the European Social Fund, PCMI can provide employment in screen printing, textiles, sign making and brush making for individuals who would like work experience or placements at its premises in Cosham. It also links with partners including the Shaw Trust, Vosper Thornycroft Enterprise and Southampton City Council on a range of other projects

Richard Foster is one of many unemployed people now looking forward to the future. Richard had a complicated past and had reached a point where he required new direction. Needing support to overcome anxiety and depression, he found PCMI a lifeline. A Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Adviser arranged six weeks of work preparation, then 40 weeks of mentored support with a key worker, Dee Shaw.

Although he found it difficult even to enter the building on his first day, Richard made good progress and, supported by his tutor and Placement Adviser Steve Hogan, eventually ended up helping other people on the course to increase their confidence.

Racheal Efford from JCP’s European Social Fund Team was delighted to see him do so well. "I saw him present a session to more than 20 people. The difference in Richard’s confidence levels is remarkable. You wouldn’t have known it was the same person."

Following a work placement with Portsmouth City Council, and with continued support from Nicky Sharp (Work Step Employment Adviser), he now has a job with the local authority.

"The European Social Fund has been a large factor in enabling me to turn my life around," said Richard.