A new project has launched in Somerset to help 500 people not in work to get fit.

Residents in three Somerset towns; Chard, Highbridge and Glastonbury, are among the first to benefit from a new wellbeing initiative funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund and delivered by health and wellbeing specialists, Pluss.

The funding has been awarded by the UK Government and ia administered by Somerset County Council. The project, called Engage Somerset, aims to help 500 people currently not in work, to become more physically active and equip them with the skills they need to move closer to employment.

The project will run from January 2022.

Emma Westcott, Pluss Operations Manager said: “This is a partnership-led project, drawing from the valuable skills and experience from Somerset-based partners, who we’ve worked with previously. This allows us to hit the ground running.”

The partnership includes Pluss, SPARK Somerset, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) and digital specialists, Cosmic. The overall aim is to promote social inclusion and combat poverty, with an underlying aim to support people towards and into employment.

At its heart, Engage Somerset will be a community based social prescribing service. SASP will help people who would like support with their self-confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing, both physical and emotional as they work on the skills they might need to move towards employment. Other planned support will address developing employability skills, such as CV writing, interview skills and effective job searching.

Tailored digital skills training, and support, will be delivered by digital inclusion partner, Cosmic. Topics covered will include the use of smart phones, online banking, social media and using the internet to search for jobs. Digital skills coaching is a fundamental element of this project, allowing participants to become more digitally independent and develop the knowledge and skills that help them make smart choices and take control of their digital lives.

Community Coaches from Pluss will work with people to offer 1:1 coaching and motivational support with topics that include money management, accessing benefits, housing needs, healthy eating and leading a more active lifestyle.

This project is grateful for the support from Somerset County Council and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

For more information and how to get involved, email engage.somerset@pluss.org.uk.