European Social Fund in England

News - Challenging the barriers

Richard Howitt, MEP, and LSC ESF

Contracts Manager for Suffolk, Julia Barrett.

Thousands of blue and yellow balloons were released above Ipswich as part of an event to celebrate the achievements of people from Suffolk who have benefited from ESF support.

The event was attended by Richard Howitt, MEP for the East of England, at the Suffolk Ski Centre in Ipswich on 15 July. Almost 200 former and current participants in Suffolk ESF projects took part in activities including tobogganing, climbing and skiing.

During the past six years, more than 17,000 people in Suffolk have taken part in ESF projects funded through the Learning and Skills Council. Some £22 million has directly helped people to improve their skills and work prospects.

Julia Barrett, ESF Manager at the Learning and Skills Council said: “It was a real delight to meet some of the people who the ESF programme has helped over the last few years.”

Releasing the balloons in the colours of the European flag, Richard Howitt MEP said: "This European money has given thousands of people new skills, so they can find a more rewarding and well-paid job. Often these people had been forgotten or left behind by other schemes but this European money was focused on helping exactly these people."

Want to know more? Visit www.lsc.gov.uk or email Julia Barrett, ESF Contracts Manager Suffolk, julia.barrett@lsc.gov.uk