PEOPLE in Wiltshire finding it difficult to get jobs could benefit from £3.9 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Devizes charity Community First is leading a bid for the cash and has successfully navigated the first stage of the process.

It must now get through a second stage of bids for the Building Bridges programme to qualify for the grant.

Lynn Gibson, Chief Executive of Community First, said: "We have brought together an extraordinary partnership of local networks including major employers, local VCS organisations, learning providers and public bodies to support at least 1,920 participants. The range and diversity of partners gives us strong reach.

"The project aims to give those furthest from the labour market the tools they need to be resilient in the work place, ensure they have the skills and qualifications that employers are looking for and address the practical things which are barriers such as transport and confidence.

"We will work across Wiltshire and Swindon and adopt varied approaches to best reach the people and communities who most need support."

She said that 25 per cent of the population of Wiltshire live in villages of less than 1,000 people so the charity anticipate's a number from remote rural areas with poor access to services.

She said: "We will target the most deprived wards in Swindon and Wiltshire and also focus delivery on the wards which fall within those ranked most deprived 20 per cent nationally for income, employment and skills."

Plans also include the creation of work placements and employer support and engagement. As well as the appointment of an employer liaison resource, to drive cultural and attitudinal change amongst employers in order to develop more diverse workforces, representative of their local communities and contributing to economic opportunity for all.

People who could benefit are the following:

• Learning difficulties and disability- including autism/aspergers, and physical disability and those on Employment Support Allowance.

• Workless households, with a history of intergenerational unemployment and poverty, including targeting deprived wards across Wiltshire and Swindon.

• Vulnerable women, suffering domestic abuse, substance misuse, poor mental health, ex- offenders or lone parents.

• Those 50+, unemployed for more than 12 months and who may also have mental health issues

• 15 -25 year olds, NEET and at risk of NEET including care leavers, young parents, young carers, those with mental health problems, disabilities, bereavement, substance misuse

• Those above who are rurally isolated.