Launch of CRUMBS Phase Three: Making Connections, an Outreach Programme courtesy of the Big Lottery Fund, will further support our trainee workforce in their first encounter with employment opportunities in a variety of differing settings.  This will be linked into a Drop-In Club designed to allow feed-back and further support to identify problems and seek solutions.  Our Mentor, the Development Manager post now being funded, will offer support to members of the workforce and employers alike.  Target, more sustainable employment.  We expect to increase the numbers in training as this service is up and running.

The Big Lottery Fund released this statement on 16^th March

In Bournemouth, an innovative community cafe and bakery operated by The Crumbs Project, will use its £161,296 award to expand work placement opportunities for people with mental illness, disabilities and substance abuse problems. The funding will also allow the group to open a drop-in club.  The successful CRUMBS Project already provides vulnerable people a unique opportunity to gain work experience in its local cafe and bakery. The grant will allow for the extension of placements into other local organisations and events in the wider community. Participants will have the chance to work in different hospitality settings, expanding their experience and opening up new opportunities. The planned drop-in centre will provide additional peer support, mentoring, advice and assistance in managing income and personal budgets.  Anne Gardner, Secretary and Chief Executive of The CRUMBS Project, said: “We already provide some wonderful workplace and pre-employment training to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. This grant allows us to further extend these opportunities. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the everyday lives of the inspiring individuals we have the privilege of assisting and supporting through the CRUMBS project.” 20th March 2010