Coastal project helps over 300 people to build a better quality of life  

Over 300 people have enrolled on to a programme which helps them break down their barriers to employment and training.

The COASTAL project, a European Social Funded scheme, was introduced in the south Wales region to address the problems faced by people who find it difficult to secure employment opportunities or access training as a result of illness, disability or other work-limiting conditions.

A recent review has revealed that in Carmarthenshire, 335 people have participated.

Of those, 297 have achieved a variety of positive outcomes, 38 have achieved a qualification, five have entered into further learning, and four have gained employment.

Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, said the results are pleasing.

“Finding a secure job, especially in a recession, is tough enough for anybody,” he said. “When a person has other hurdles to overcome, whether it be because of disability, illness or other problems, then the outlook can be quite bleak.

“We are so pleased that we are able to provide tailored support, through COASTAL, for people who find themselves at a disadvantage. To hear that four participants have gained employment already is testament to the project, and how it can help people to make their own living and succeed for themselves.”

Carmarthenshire County Council secured over £4m to address economic activity in the county as part of the COASTAL project.

The investment has allowed the development of a range of services to deliver training and employment schemes for working-age adults with high levels of needs, including mental health, substance misuse, learning disability, physical disability and chronic health.

They include the flagship catering and customer service training facility Café SA31, based in Carmarthen, as well as the regeneration of Coleshill, in Llanelli, which will become a Centre for Economic Inclusion when it opens its doors later this year.

Cllr Pat Jones, Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, said: “The COASTAL scheme has made a real impact in Carmarthenshire, and is already making a difference to many people’s lives.

“We are supporting people to have the satisfaction of working and bringing home their own earnings. This project is giving people a better quality of life, and also improving the prospects for the county as a whole.”

Carmarthenshire’s COASTAL Project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), as part of the 2007-13 West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Programme.