Schemes launched to tackle social exclusion in Tonbridge

Three schemes to help people facing social exclusion have been launched in west Kent.

They will provide training to help people find work, learn life skills and get online.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council secured £200,000 funding for the projects, in partnership with charities and other local authorities.

The council said it hopes this will "open doors to employment" for those taking part.

A volunteering and enrichment scheme, being delivered with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, will provide incentives for employers to give work experience to young people with special educational needs (SEN).

A life skills project, in conjunction with Sevenoaks District Council, will give one-to-one support to people struggling to find work because of a lack of literacy, numeracy or digital skills.

A third initiative, alongside Kent County Council, will spend £75,000 providing lap tops and the training to use them to around 225 people.

Robin Betts, cabinet member for economic regeneration at Tonbridge and Malling, said: "These schemes will help overc ome the barriers to work which all too often lead to long-term unemployment and people feeling excluded from the jobs market and wider society.

"By equipping them with training, work experience and digital skills we can overcome these obstacles, open doors to employment and help those taking part lead full and productive lives."

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