Wolves Foundation showcases Futures Hub programme supporting residents into work
Wolves Foundation welcomed a host of local dignitaries to Molineux to showcase a project which is successfully helping residents of Wolverhampton into training and employment.
Working alongside the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council, the Foundation are delivering a weekly ‘Foundation Futures Hub’, a multi-faceted offering which offers support in an open and positive environment.
Foundation staff from the Building Brighter Futures project are joined by representatives from local employers and other organisations in providing a range of employment, mentoring and financial wellbeing support, free of charge to all visitors.
Pat McFadden MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was joined by fellow Wolverhampton MPs Warinder Juss and Sureena Brackenridge, the Leader of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Steven Simkins, and high-level representatives from the DWP, West Midlands Combined Authority, Premier League and other organisations to showcase the first six months of the project and plans for the future.
Will Clowes, Director of Wolves Foundation, said: “So much of the strength of the Wolves Foundation’s work comes through partnerships, and we were delighted to welcome so many of our key stakeholders to showcase the Foundation Futures Hub.
“One of our commitments to Wolverhampton within our 2030 strategy centres around economic prosperity and employment, which we support via our Building Brighter Futures project, delivered thanks to funding from the Premier League and PFA, and City of Wolverhampton Council.
“As part of Building Brighter Futures, we have been able to work with the DWP to launch the Foundation Futures Hub, using the power of the Wolves badge to engage as many local people as possible.
“It has already enjoyed considerable success in helping develop skills and improve employment prospects across the community, helping more and more people back into work or closer to work via training opportunities or clearly defined pathways.”
A short presentation outlined the concept of Foundation Futures before guests headed over to see the project in action and meet both current and former participants.
Pat McFadden said: "The Wolves Foundation are doing fantastic work to promote employment and training opportunities in Wolverhampton.
“I was delighted to be able to visit the Foundation Futures Hub at the Molineux alongside my fellow Wolverhampton MPs Sureena Brackenridge MP and Warinder Juss MP.
“In working with local businesses and the DWP, the Wolves Foundation has built a welcoming space to seek new opportunities.
“Initiatives like the Foundation Futures hub are particularly important in helping young people in our city build confidence and take positive steps towards successful careers."
Overall, the Building Brighter Futures project, funded by the Premier League and Local Authority, aims to help improve physical health and wellbeing and financial wellbeing, and increase employability across Wolverhampton.
Councillor Steven Simkins, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We are committed as a council to supporting our residents when they need us most and the work of the Building Brighter Futures initiative really embodies that approach.
“It’s about helping people of all ages and at all stages of life develop skills and confidence and improve their physical and mental health, as well as their financial wellbeing.
“We have worked with Wolves Foundation on many different initiatives around skills and employment, and it was great to see the new Foundation Futures Hub in action and having such a positive impact.
“It’s helping people be the best they can be and create brighter futures by offering chances to develop themselves in many different ways. I wholeheartedly support it.”
Alongside the Foundation and DWP, other organisations regularly represented at the weekly hub on Tuesdays include the National Careers Service, Wolves at Work and the NHS.
Other activities are also involved such as gaming or pool as staff find it is helpful in encouraging participants to open up more away from a more formal environment where they might find discussion difficult.
The Foundation Futures Hub is open every Tuesday from 10am-4pm in the North Bank Bar and acts as a drop-in service at Molineux. For more details email [email protected] or [email protected].