About Us | Building Better Opportunities | Stafford & South Staffordshire

A tailored service to meet your needs…

Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire is a bespoke programme, meaning each and every person that joins us has an individual action plan that aligns with their personal needs.

The programme is completely free for all participants, meaning you’re able to focus 100% on improving your personal, financial and employability skills. Our programme is made up of a network of partners across Stafford and South Staffordshire offering a wealth of specialist support that you can take advantage of. This could include animal therapy, work placements, yoga, meditation, anxiety and mental health workshops, confidence building activities, debt recovery, IT skills, access to computers and the internet, support with housing and benefit queries as well as so much more.

All participants are also assigned a dedicated support worker, also known as advocate, who works closely with you to ensure you are fully supported every step of the way. It’s their job to get to know you and to support you throughout your journey with us. We will help you to overcome the barriers you may be facing and support you to move closer to being able to apply for a job. Some people may not be looking for full-time work, but would like to work part-time or to do volunteering in the community.

Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire can also support you to find a volunteering opportunity or some work experience to improve your skills, your CV and most importantly yourself. The journey to get to that point will be different for every person and that’s what makes our programme special; we treat you as the unique individual you are, we respect that everyone’s story is different and we empower you to live your best life.

We listen to you, support you and put you first.

Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire is a jointly funded project by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund, aimed at supporting people who are not currently in work. Click here to read more about how we’re funded.

How do I apply?

Applying for the Building Better Opportunities programme is really easy, you can refer yourself online or by telephone. If you meet the criteria and join the programme, you’ll have an initial assessment meeting with an advocate. Don’t worry, it’s not a scary meeting, in fact our advocates are a real friendly bunch. It’s their job to get to know you and to support you throughout your journey with us.
Where do Building Better Opportunities work?

We serve residents in Stafford & South Staffordshire who are over the age of 18, unemployed, and looking to achieve balance in their lives. Whether that’s learning new skills through training, gaining confidence, getting financial advice and welfare support, or finding employment. All of the support services and partners we work closely with also provide help to residents in this area too.

We help individuals in areas such as Codsall, Wombourne, Perton, Penkridge, Huntington, Hatherton, Featherstone, Bilbrook, Great Wyrley, Stafford, Doxey, Rising Brook, Holmcroft, Brewood, Essington, Cheslyn Hay, Pattingham, Hatherton, Gret Wyrley, Acton Trussell, Eccleshall, Baswich, Forebridge, Rowley Park, Burleyfields,Weeping Cross, Castletown, Castle Bank, Medowcroft Park and Beaconside.

You will find our Advocates at drop in sessions across Stafford available to help. So, if you are a person living in Stafford or South Staffordshire, please contact us or come and see us at your nearest drop in sessions.
How much does the programme cost me?

The programme is completely free for all participants, meaning you’re able to focus 100% on improving your personal, financial and employability skills.
I need help but I'm not ready for work yet

That’s fine! The fact you recognise that you need some help and support is a big step. Our programme puts you, your health and your wellbeing at the centre of what we do. You will not be pressured into employment. We work with you to agree an individual action plan that aligns with your own personal needs.
What's an Advocate?

All participants are assigned a dedicated support worker, also known as advocate, who works closely with you to ensure you are fully supported every step of the way. It’s their job to get to know you and to support you throughout your journey with us. Your advocate is there for you and will help you to set up a personal action plan. The targets in your action plan will be decided by you, and your advocate will offer support to help you achieve them. This will involve your advocate referring you to other partners within the programme. For example, if you set a target to improve your confidence and team working skills, you could be referred to Upper Moreton Farm to join one of their hands-on outdoor courses. If you need practical support with computer skills, you could be referred to a free IT class. If you are being held back by anxiety, your advocate can help you to access support to improve your mental health and wellbeing. You can take a look at our friendly team here on our website!
How do I become an Advocate?

Changing lives is what we are all about. And if you feel the same as us and would be interested in becoming a BBO Advocate we’d love to hear from you. To enquire about current Advocate opportunities with Building Better Opportunities please contact us by calling us on 01902 696 228.
Who delivers your services?

Building Better Opportunities (BBO) Stafford and South Staffordshire is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Skills Fund (ESF), and headed-up across Stafford and South Staffordshire by Business Enterprise Support Ltd in partnership with 8 local organisations. The 16 partner organisations are BEAM, South Staffordshire District Council, South Staffordshire Housing Association, University Hospital of North Midlands, Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Support Staffordshire, Upper Moreton Rural Activities and University Hospital North Midlands.
How is the project funded?
Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire is a jointly funded project by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund. The project was awarded £2.3m and aims to help those who experience multiple barriers to move closer to employment. The three-year project will focus on key groups who typically find they have multiple barriers to overcome when finding suitable employment. These are:
- People aged over 50
- Lone parents
- Those with low skills or qualifications
- People with long-term health conditions or disability
- Those from an ethnic minority group
- Those living in ‘low employment demand’ areas
- Those who experience more than one of the following; homelessness, substance misuse, history of offending and mental ill-health.
- The project will tackle the barriers that prevent these groups of people from accessing support with more opportunities for education and training, improved health and wellbeing services, better financial help and new programmes to build people’s confidence.
Support will be provided to help people build self-confidence and develop or acquire new skills in key areas where they might be experiencing difficulties. These are:
- Work skills – gaining of key skills e.g. team working, problem solving, numeracy, IT and communication skills. Attitudinal skills – increased levels of motivation, confidence, feelings of responsibility, levels of self-esteem and higher personal and career aspirations.
- Personal skills – improved timekeeping, personal hygiene, greater levels of self-awareness, better health and fitness, greater levels of concentration and engagement.
- Practical skills – ability to complete forms, ability to write a CV, improved ability to manage money and improved awareness of rights and responsibilities.
To find out more about Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire, call us on 01902 696 228 or complete the green form at the bottom of this page and we’ll be in touch.
How can I get in touch with Building Better Opportunities?

You can get in touch with one of our Advocates by giving us a call on 01902 696 228. Alternatively, you can come to one of our Drop In Sessions in Stafford. You do not have to make an appointment, simply come in and say hello!

Should you wish to request a call back from a member of our team, you can submit an application form at the bottom of this page. One of our team members will then be in touch to book an initial appointment.

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A tailored service to meet your needs…

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