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RHYL CITY STRATEGY GOING FORWARD TO 2011
Rhyl City Strategy has received continued support from the Department of Work and Pensions to tackle unemployment and economic inactivity in the town.  Secretary of State James Purnell announced in June 2008 that Rhyl will be among 15 City Strategy Pathfinders receiving continuation funding for a further two years until 2011.  Between them the 15 areas, which include Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Greater Manchester, Nottingham and East and West London, will receive a further £5 million to continue to build their capacity.  Rhyl and Heads of the Valley are the only two City Strategy Pathfinder in Wales.
Rhyl City Strategy has already seen positive outcomes since its inception in early 2007, with reductions in the number of unemployed, and with close working between partners in the private, voluntary and statutory sectors aimed at improving provision and services for local workless people.
In addition to core costs, an allocation of Deprived Area Funding is supporting a range of initiatives to help people into work.  The projects promise a wide and varied programme of activity providing opportunities for local people to gain valuable skills and experience that will hopefully lead to employment. 

Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl is running pre-employment retail training at the “Virtual Shop” facility in Wellington Road, Rhyl.  The 6 week courses are offering learners a chance to gain experience in customer care, cash handling, confidence building, employability skills, and an introduction to shop and counter work. There is also a chance to go on work taster days with local retail stores, find out information and advice on careers, CV writing and practising interview skills. 

Rhyl Football in the Community is training twelve people to gain a Level One football coaching award (including FAW Football Leaders Award, FAW Goalkeepers Award, FAW First Aid course, and FAW Welfare and Child protection award).  The programme will cover basic coaching principles, session planning, equipment and resources, communication skills, health and safety issues, diet and nutrition, and football and disability.

Denbighshire Enterprise Agency is setting up a Test Trading scheme, offering people a chance to try out their business idea while remaining in receipt of benefits for 13-26 weeks.  People interested in running their own business can come along to a first session to test out their ideas, before deciding to go on a “Being your Own Boss” course.  For those who decide to take the plunge, there is a mentoring and support, a start-up grant, and regular networking events. 

Princes Trust Cymru ‘Get Into’ programmes offer young people aged 16-25 a chance to develop employability skills and gain sector specific qualifications.  The course in Rhyl will include workshops on CV writing and interview techniques, and participants will have the opportunity to meet local employers in the relevant industry to discuss jobs, apprenticeships and interviews.  Following the programme, the young people will receive ongoing mentoring support aimed at increasing their chances of moving into work. 

Details of all of these projects are available on the Rhyl City Strategy website at www.rhylcitystrategy.co.uk

Rhyl City Strategy is supported locally by a wide range of organisations, including Denbighshire County Council, Arriva, Clwyd Coast Credit Union, Clwyd Leisure, Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl, Jobcentre Plus, Denbighshire Local Health Board, North Wales Women's Centre and the Welsh Assembly Government.  The City Strategy Consortium is chaired by Chris Ruane MP.
For further information or to find out how you can become involved with this key initiative, contact the team on 01745 343605.