Community Grants Project Focus: Rise

Rise, who received funding through TCHC’s Community Grants project, is a new service-user led social enterprise. Through the funding RISE is able to offer, 12 people affected by mental health problems who are looking to return to work, job-skills training and practical work placements, at its offices at The Old Free School in Watford. A further 12 people will follow the University-accredited Recovery In-Sight training to enable them to manage their mental health condition.

Individuals who are affected by mental health problems often find it difficult to participate in a working environment. Many have a lack of confidence and self-esteem. The project aims to assist these individuals overcome these difficulties and manage their mental illness more effectively so that they can find sustainable employment or participate in volunteering opportunities.

The training provided aims to improve the lives of those affected so that they can become economically active. Drawing from the best of clinical therapies and lived experience, the training is delivered by people with firsthand experience of mental health issues.

Through the project clients receive soft skills training and take part in supervised voluntary placements, which enables them to return to fully functional work environments.

Anna, who participated in the project, previously experienced bullying in the workplace due to her mental health condition. She added “This project was excellent – it has already made a big difference to me. It is great to build up confidence and improved my office social skills within an understanding and supportive environment.”

Chris who suffers from clinical depression had two major breakdowns in the last six years. He has undertaken various therapies that provide some relief, but the training he received through this project has assisted him to manage his condition more effectively within the workplace. He commented “This project has made me understand that there is no cure to this condition, but it can be managed with changes to my way of life.”

Community Grants is a programme is financed by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency.