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Fife Employment Access Trust, Scotland:

FEAT staff members Duncan Mitchell, left, and Tracy Brown, right, pictured with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Big Lottery Fund backs Journey to Work programme

The Fife Employment Access Trust [FEAT] has been awarded Big Lottery funding over five years to deliver the ‘Journey to Work’ programme and support people with experience of mental ill health to find and sustain work, as well as develop a range services aimed at Fife employers.

Sallie Anderson, FEAT manager, said: “Wide–ranging research has shown that mental health problems are the reason for up–to half of all staff absences each year, and the average time lost per year through stress–related illness alone is 29 days. Resultantly, we have developed a range of awareness–raising measures to enable employers to support and manage an employee through any mental health problem and maintain a confident and motivated workforce, significantly reducing staff absences.”

FEAT offers individuals with mental ill health needs a wide range of options to regain work. Sallie explains, “We offer one–to–one support, personal development training, specific skill workshops, work placements and also counselling if required. Every individual will be able to participate in some or all of these options, depending upon their needs.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is a supporter of the work of the Trust, recently met with members of the FEAT team.

The Prime Minister said: "I want to congratulate Fife Employment Access Trust on the important work they do in helping to challenge the myths and stereotypes around mental health. FEAT can bring about lasting social change by being part of the concerted effort to challenge attitudes, to enable people to fulfil their aspirations, and to significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for people with mental health problems. FEAT has a key role to play in enabling the people of Fife to have choices to improve their quality of life and be included as equal members of society."

The Journey to Work programme will be launched as part of FEAT’s Annual General Meeting on 14 November 2007 in Rothes Halls. Sallie Anderson, FEAT manager, will present an overview of ‘Journey to Work’ as well as guest speakers from the private sector.

For further information about the FEAT charity, the Journey to Work programme and to attend the Annual General Meeting, telephone: 01592 749880. Also, visit website at: www.journeytowork.co.uk.

Factfile

FEAT, a registered charity, was formed in 1994 by a group of people who were experiencing difficulty in gaining work due to their disabilities and/or mental health needs. During the time the organisation has developed a keen understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities and mental health needs. It has also established a proven track record of helping clients to overcome such barriers and gain sustainable employment. FEAT also works closely with employers to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace and expand the range of employment opportunities available to those with mental health needs.

The charity also runs a number of public events each year, to further raise awareness of mental health among communities. In January 2008, visit the FEAT exhibition space in the Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes, Kingsgate Centre, Dunfermline and The Mercat, Kirkcaldy.

Wednesday 7 November 2007 is National Stress Awareness Day. The purpose of the Day is to educate businesses and individuals about the steps they can take to reduce stress, and so achieve benefits, such as improved productivity, job satisfaction and reduced sickness absence. FEAT will also feature twice daily on 95.2 and 96.1 Kingdom FM at 1115 and 1615 hours, Monday to Friday, 5–9 November 2007.

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