Councils in the Black Country have expressed an interest in bidding for Building Better Opportunities Funding and are currently looking for local partners to support their proposal.  They will be making contact with specific organisations in due course and in particular those organisations that represent or support groups who are aged 25+ who are economically inactive and perceive the following issues as a barrier to taking up training or employment:

• Poor Health (mental or mobility)
• Lone parents
• Black Minority Ethnic Groups
• Over 50s
• Disabled
• A summary document is attached for information. For further information about Building Better Opportunities please use these links: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/-/media/Files/Programme%20Documents/Building%20Better%20Opportunities/building_better_opportunities_prog_guide.pdf

• https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/building-better-opportunities/black-country

• At this stage we are looking for interested delivery partners to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) which I have attached to this email. In order to include providers within our application we would like EOI’s back by 5pm Wednesday 15^th July 2015

• If you have any questions feel free to contact Adele Smith at Sandwell Council Think Sandwell, Sandwell Council, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DEW: sandwell.gov.uk

• Tel:           0121 569 2187  07977 583808

• or otherwise complete the expression of interest.

• You may also wish to contact myself or Parveen Sangha if you have any specific question regarding whether the opportunity is appropriate for your organisation.

Jane Kaur-Gill| Employment & Skills Manager   Strategic Regeneration, Economy & Environment Walsall Council, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall. WS1 1TP Email: kaurgillj@walsall.gov.uk  Tel: 01922 654352  Mobile: 07983 612618  Website: www.walsall.gov.uk/regeneration/people