Opportunity and Change supports people aged 16+ facing severe and multiple disadvantage to become socially and economically included, through access to education, training and employment.
By engaging with an individually-tailored and holistic package of support, training and therapeutic interventions, Opportunity and Change participants are supported to:
Develop social networks
Increase self-confidence and motivation
Improve health and wellbeing
Learn new skills
Increase employability
Engagement with Opportunity and Change is entirely voluntary. However, in line with the project’s aims, participants must be motivated to engage with support to address their complex needs, alongside support to move closer towards the workplace, education, training or job searching.
The referral period for Opportunity and Change ended on the 30th September 2022. Over the final 6 months of the project, we are focusing on our current cohort of participants, however if you know of an individual who may benefit from another project/service that we offer please do not hesitate to contact Opportunityandchange@frameworkHA.org or call 01158504086 for further information.
How can we help you?
Opportunity and Change participants can expect to receive regular, one-to-one support from their personal Navigator, for up to eighteen months. Navigators work with small caseloads so they can invest time getting to know participants and develop great working relationships built on trust, open communication and a good rapport.
Navigator support includes…
Regular Support Needs Assessments and Change Plans; to help participants get the most from their time with Opportunity and Change
Confidential and impartial Information, Advice and Guidance
Support to access education and training, volunteering opportunities, employment, and job searching
Signposting to a range of specialist agencies, including: counselling, drug and alcohol treatment services, domestic abuse support, specialist housing and financial advice
Great local knowledge and accessibility – Navigators located within the community
Advocacy – helping participants to understand their rights, get their voice heard and ensure they are treated fairly
Additional Provision:
As well as the one-to-one support from their Navigator, participants are encouraged to access a broad range of additional provision, group-based learning and therapeutic interventions, including:
Specialist counselling services
Skills Plus for Change (SP4C): small group-based learning in bite-sized, 2-hour sessions. Watch the video below / Download the SP4C Handbook
The Loudspeaker Programme: a ten week programme for female participants, run by Nottingham Contemporary art gallery . For more information, click here
Equine Assisted Therapy: a ten week therapeutic programme that teaches principles of self-care through equine assisted learning and group-based reflection exercises. For more information, click here
Care Act Team – Watch the video below
Participant costs met by the project:
Childcare
Interpretation and translation services
Travel expenses
One-off items to help the participant to move closer towards their end goals
To make a referral, click here.
Videos
Want to know more about Opportunity and Change? Watch these videos:
Skills Plus For Change – A video about the bite-sized, skills based, group and online learning they offer, to help participants build basic life skills and create positive life change.
Group Therapies – A short video on some of the group therapies available on Opportunity and Change, including Equine Therapy, Bushcraft and Loudspeaker.
Opportunity and Change – The Care Act – What it is, and how participants can access it through Opportunity and Change.
BBO Impact Event – A group interview session of participants and navigators held on June 17th 2022, hosted by the People’s First Alliance: Groundwork Greater Nottingham, Framework Housing Association, and the St Ann’s Advice Group, to showcase the impact made to participants by BBO projects across D2N2.
Our Partners
Acorn Training provides high-quality training courses across a number of subject areas ranging from Accounting to Hairdressing.
Acorn supports the participant into employment, by working with the individual and perspective employers
See more on Acorn’s website, click here
Derby YMCA provides support in a number areas including training courses, health and wellbeing, family work and hospitality.
The support provided aims to equip the individual with the resources needed to build confidence, gain skills, move towards employment and live independently.
See more on Derby YMCA’s website, click here
Derbyshire Law Centre offers personal advice and assistance to participants. Their objective is to achieve equal access to justice for all sections of the community by providing legal services in social welfare law in the Derbyshire area.
Derbyshire Law Centre also have specialist counselling services and programs of bite sized courses to develop confidence, independence and wellbeing.
See more on Derbyshire Law Centre’s website, click here
Derventio Housing Trust is a national housing association that assists people who are homeless or who are experiencing issues with mental health, learning disabilities or poor health, to provide them with the resources to lead stable and independent lives.
The support provided can range from pre-tenancy training, to emotional support, to one to one advice and mentoring.
See more on Derventio’s website, click here
Double Impact helps around 1000 people a year, specialising in supporting those that are experiencing drug addiction and substance misuse.
Double Impact offer a range of services encompassing educational groups, courses to build self-esteem and employment skills, housing support and safe places for people to socialise and support each other.
See more on Double Impact’s website, click here
Framework offers a range of support services designed to help people with mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol problems, offenders, vulnerable women and families in relation to homelessness.
In house support services range from education (to equip the participant with the skills to live independently), floating support, supported accommodation, one-on-one mentoring and street outreach work.
See more on Frameworks’ website, click here
NNRF works with and for refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
NNRF provide a welcoming community centre that offers specialised advice, support and friendship to refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, NNRF also offer advocating services in cases of injustice and hardship, as well as programmes to develop confidence, skills and knowledge.
See more on NNRF’s website, click here
Notts YMCA offer courses that encompass the passions of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
As well as courses, Notts YMCA provides housing services and activities to develop the mind, body and spirit of individuals, families and communities, and improve health and well-being for all.
See more on Notts YMCA’s website, click here
Women’s Work support over 750 women each year. Providing a range of support services to improve the lives of women and their children.
Women’s Work delivers the Freedom Program and a parenting programme to improve parenting skills, family and relationships.
Women’s Work also offers English and Maths courses with the hope of empowering women to develop resilience and practical skills, so they can move on, develop support networks and can live confident fulfilling lives.
See more on the Women’s Work website, click here