UNEMPLOYED resident’s living in Southend’s most deprived areas will be trained to work in the NHS or across the care sector under a new scheme.

The council has secured £1,059,165 of Government 'levelling up' funding as part of a £200 million nation-wide initiative to back back 477 locally-led projects.

The cash will fund two projects in the borough; one of which will see people struggling with joblessness trained to bolster the area's health and care workforce.

The project, Anchoring the Southend 2050 ambition, delivered by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded £430,882.

The trust, which runs Southend and Basildon hospitals, will focus on “moving” people living in the most deprived wards in Southend who are unemployed or economically inactive, towards work at either Southend Hospital or Southend’s broader health and care sector.

Charlotte Williams, chief strategy and improvement officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is fantastic to have been part of the partnership in Southend to secure this funding.

“We are committed at the trust to our role in creating opportunities for local people, and I know that this funding will allow us all to support so many in our community through our anchor programme.”

The Southend Opportunities project has been awarded £628, 283 and will be delivered by the council.

This project will promote employment opportunities, increase work experience opportunities and boost alternative pathways into employment such as volunteering.

“We are delighted to have helped secure just over a £1million package of investment from the Government which will transform careers guidance, training and job opportunities as well as improving skills and productivity in the local economy especially of those in our more deprived areas,” Cllr Ian Gilbert, leader of the council and cabinet member for economic recovery and regeneration, said.

“This funding is very welcome as we continue our drive to invest in recovery and support our community and we look forward to getting moving on these projects working closely with our partners.”

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove added: “We are levelling up in every corner of the United Kingdom, backing locally-led projects that will make a real difference to communities and help to deliver our net zero commitments.

“There is incredible talent spread right across our great country and this investment will unlock the opportunities to match.”