Marvin OnumonuNorfolk County Council has launched Connect to Work to support over 4,000 people facing barriers to employment.
The scheme will help those with disabilities and long-term health issues, building on previous Working Well Norfolk and local supported employment projects.
Connect to Work is aimed at people aged 18 and over, and 16-17 in some cases, including those with mental and physical health challenges, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, care leavers, carers, military veterans, ex-offenders, the homeless, refugees and victims of domestic abuse.
People at risk of leaving work due to health or complex issues will also be supported.
The programme is funded by the UK Government.
Norfolk County Council has been commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions to run the scheme, and it will be rolled out in partnership with five delivery partners (Future Projects, Norfolk and Waveney MIND, Seetec, Shaw Trust and Standguide) to more than 4,000 people.
Councillor Fabian Eagle, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “Although the number of people in Norfolk who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness is higher than the national average, we have far more in that group who want to work than in other parts of the country.
“We want to give them that extra help they need to get back into employment or to continue in the job they may be struggling to hold on to due to health difficulties.
“Working Well Norfolk has already delivered some great outcomes and proved a success so I’m delighted we are now going to be supporting even more people.”
