Maria Miller visits Shaw Trust Enterprises

Mrs Miller visited Shaw Trust Enterprises, in Elizabeth Road, South Ham, to have a tour of the premises and to see how the organisation helps people across the borough.

The community project provides work experience and training and volunteering opportunities to people contending with a host of barriers to employment, including mental health difficulties, and they also run daily on-site activities in their project garden, offering an accredited certificate in horticultural skills.

During the visit, Mrs Miller spoke to people who have been supported by the project to help them improve their skills, gain invaluable experience and find work.

The centre enjoys support from a committed group of volunteers provided by the Shaw Trust national volunteering scheme as well as volunteers from local organisations and business across the borough.

Mrs Miller said: “It is important that people living with mental health conditions have the right support in the workplace. Employers have a critical role to play.

“Shaw Trust is doing a fantastic job, working with employers to break down barriers on mental illness. They help many unemployed and disabled people from Basingstoke to find work, some of whom have mental health conditions.

“I would like to encourage local businesses and organisations to work with the social enterprise sector, and support more people from the community to live full, independent lives.”

Stephanie Kaye, Shaw Trust head of operations for charitable projects and social enterprise, said: “Shaw Trust is committed to lifting the stigma attached to mental illness.

“Several of our clients have mental health issues, but they are turning their life around and gaining new skills.

“If we can encourage more local businesses and organisations to work with us, we can support even more people from Basingstoke to take full advantage of their talents and play active roles in their community.”