On Wednesday 29 September 2021, Seetec Pluss celebrated the opening of Launceston’s brand-new Restart Scheme office, located right in the very heart of the town.

MP for North Cornwall, Scott Mann, attended the opening and cut the Seetec Pluss blue ribbon to signify the opening of the doors to its participants.

At just a stone’s throw away from the local Jobcentre, the office stands to be a central and significant hub for the people of Launceston and the surrounding communities, to get valuable support and guidance on their journeys back into employment.

The Restart Scheme is part of the Government’s wider ‘Plan for Jobs’ to help people who have lost their jobs to get back on the road to recovery. The scheme is set to empower 106,000 people across the South West towards and into work over the next 4 years and is eligible to those who have been out of work and claiming Universal Credit for at least 12 months.

The office opening in Launceston was a chance to create some noise and awareness for the local community and to celebrate the hope and opportunity that this will provide for so many.

MP Scott Mann took the time to say a few words to those who attended the office opening about employment optimism in Cornwall. “I get the figures sent through about how many people are in employment in North Cornwall and over the course of the summer, those figures have been quite incredible, and that’s testament to the work that Seetec Pluss and the Jobcentres are doing.”

He continued, “I’m enthused, I see the fantastic work that you’re all doing here. I think we’re going to go from strength to strength and not just for young people, also for people that want to upskill as they get older. Cornwall’s employment market is buoyant and I’m looking forward to working with you over the next few months to ensure that all the people who want to retrain get back into the workplace and have opportunity.”

The Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Leighton Penhale, also stopped to acknowledge what the work of the Restart Scheme will mean for his community. “Following the pandemic, we expect a lot of unemployment, so any help that you and this scheme can give to address that problem, is great.”

Participants of the Restart Scheme began to make their way into the office throughout the morning, to attend their scheduled job search clubs and 1:1 meetings with their Employment Advisors. Team Leader of the Launceston office, Sandy Mottram-Hatch, shared a touching piece of feedback from one of their participants who has recently found work after being supported by the team. “Thank you Seetec,” she recalled on his behalf, “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have got the job that I love or the flat that I live in so that I can see my children.”

Sandy demonstrated how rewarding their jobs are when they witness first-hand how their support really can change someone’s life, “That job got him a home and got him a life again, and it’s all thanks to the team so thank you all.”

The Launceston Restart Scheme office can be found at 2-4 Church Street, PL15 8AP.

The Restart Scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

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