A unique new service to help people in West Dunbartonshire back into work whilst resolving any financial problems they may have was officially launched on Monday (March 26).

The £1.5million Building Better Futures (BBF) programme will improve the quality of life for people living in some of the most disadvantaged communities in West Dunbartonshire.

And the innovative approach is already proving successful in tackling the barriers preventing people from getting back into work or further education.

Des McNulty, depute minister for Communities, officially launched the project in Clydebank. He said: “Scotland has a record number of people in jobs now but there are areas – and West Dunbartonshire is one of them – which still have problems with worklessness and people face multiple barriers to getting into employment.

“We need to work together to ensure they receive a service that will get every individual into employment and take their lives forward. I believe that is the single most important thing we can do and programmes such as BBF are making this happen.

“People say that West Dunbartonshire is a place that has suffered, but it is also an area with great opportunities, people with excellent skills and geographically well placed with its proximity to Glasgow.

“I have an aspiration for West Dunbartonshire and that is that we can bring about the biggest rate of growth and change in this area through the work that organisations like BBF support.”

The integrated employability and financial inclusion project has established bases in Whitecrook, and Drumry in Clydebank and in Bellsmyre, Dumbarton. BBF’s Financial Inclusion staff are located in the Social Economy Centre, Clydebank.

John Bergin, BBF director, said the employability strand of the programme will engage with 745 clients over the coming year whilst the financial inclusion side will support 1750 people.

He commented: “We know there are areas where hard core unemployment still persists and West Dunbartonshire is one of them.

“By working in partnership we are able to deliver a unique, co-ordinated service which will address the problems of poverty, worklessness and financial exclusion which are experienced in many of our communities.

“I know of no other organisation in Scotland that is operating such an initiative in such an innovative manner. What BBF staff are doing is not simply finding jobs for people but they are ensuring this is sustainable employment by providing on-going support.”

To find out more about Building Better Futures call 0141 952 6900.

Case Study

The first BBF base was opened in Whitecrook last year and is already making a real difference to the lives of people living in a community once labelled ‘little Beirut’.

Nicola Clunie, 32, is just one of the people to notice the changes. Speaking at the launch she explained how BBF workers had helped her and her family.

She explained: “I had been unemployed for four months and after a couple of weeks had got used to sitting in the house watching the telly. I was bored but my husband was working so I just got used to it.

“Then two of the BBF folk knocked on my door one day and I had a chat with them and they left behind some information and said to pop into the office.

“So I went round and it was really relaxed atmosphere and everyone was very friendly. They asked if I wanted to go on to further education but I already have an HND and HNC so I wasn’t really interested in that so they helped me do my CV and sent it off to various places.”

Nicola’s new look CV instantly got her two job offers and she is now working as a chambermaid at The Pond Hotel in Clydebank.

BBF have helped Nicola get more than a new job. They also found a childcare place for her youngest son and a range of out of school activities for both her children.

Nicola added: “The childcare for Robert was essential or I wouldn’t have been able to work and Daniel, my eldest now goes along to the Dalmuir Youth Action group and Y Sort-It and I have got involved with various community groups as well.

“Before I barely knew people in the next six houses to me now I have friends in the next six streets. I even got a £200 tax rebate, which I have never had before and that was thanks to BBF helping me with all the forms. They have made a real difference to all my family.”

The main BBF funders are West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership and the Scottish Executive’s financial inclusion programme