A PROJECT which support the unemployed has been handed £15,000 from an anonymous donor.

It comes just a year after another anonymous donation of £12,000 - from a different source.

The ASPIRE project - part of voluntary organisation BEST (Bridport Enterprise Supporting Training) - is now in its seventh year.

BEST co-director and ASPIRE manager Arthur Woodgate. “Last year the donation came from a local organisation that preferred to remain anonymous. This year the donation, which frankly came straight out of the blue, is from an individual who is aware of our work and wishes to see it continue. Thank goodness for such people.”

For a number of years ASPIRE, led by award-winning Charlotte Storey, focused on supporting the unemployed and under-skilled, and with some quite outstanding results.

Issues of mental health featured consistently throughout this work. When BEST was approached by the NHS with a request to work with mental health patients recovering in the community, the company was glad to devote its own resources in order to be able to offer support. 

Mr Woodgate added: "Immediately, and due entirely to the skills of Charlotte, the results were outstanding: within the first three weeks, three of the four initial participants were supported into employment for the first time in a long time, whilst the fourth went for a walk into town with Charlotte – the first time she had left her house in several years, and potentially a big step towards a more positive future."

Additional funding and co-operative work with the BYPAT (Bridport Young Persons’ Action Trust) charity has recently enabled Charlotte to work in partnership with staff from the Sir John Colfox Academy’s pastoral care and inclusion team.

“It is absolutely terrific to have the support of ASPIRE and to have Charlotte available to help work with some of our students,” said headteacher, David Herbert. “Supporting student’s aspirations and positive mental health is very important to us and this support will enable us to do this more effectively.  We are very grateful for the support on offer.”

For more information email a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com or call 01308 423767.

Charlotte will be speaking about her work with young people at the free showing of Disney’s Inside Out, part of Bridport’s first Mindfest. It takes place at 3pm on Sunday, October 8. All are welcome.