SUPPORT could be on the way to aid some of Worcester's long term unemployed.

The Big Lottery and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership have given the go-ahead for not-for-profit organisation Fusion to develop full proposals to secure £1 million of funding to help unemployed customers of Worcester-based Nexus Housing back into work.

Fusion, a consortium of 24 Worcestershire based not-for-profit organisations, of which Nexus is a member, will now have to opportunity to bid for the cash made possible through the Worcester Building Better Opportunities fund which brings together money from the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund 2014-2020 to provide joint investment in local projects that tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.

Karen Pritchard, assistant director at Nexus, said: “We are proud to be part of Fusion which has developed a new model for partnership working in Worcestershire. We hope that this initiative will help our customers and communities thrive by increasing chances and opportunity for employment.”

In Worcestershire the principal housing associations and Redditch Borough Housing came together with a range of local and specialist voluntary sector organisations, Heart of Worcestershire College and the Health and Care Trust to form Fusion. By working together, Fusion can help those needing extra support into work. This includes people with disabilities, adults with learning disabilities, long term unemployed, ex-offenders and young people with no work experience.

Clare Huyton, chairman of Fusion and executive director housing, care & communities with Fortis Living, added: "This further success is great news, as it will enhance the work already commenced by Fusion partners to help some of the most vulnerable people into employment. We are delighted the collaboration between the Worcestershire voluntary organisations and housing partners is being recognised as a model to receive external funding, which will allow us to help more people."