Project Performance
As a small VCS organisation, we have thought carefully about our ongoing sustainability. Our approach is to avoid having all our eggs in one basket by increasing diversity both in whom we work with and what we do. In practice, this means delivering multiple projects of various sizes simultaneously. We have developed the systems, skills and practices to be able to do this reliably. Below is a selection of the projects we have delivered and their impact.
Recent Project Highlights
Government Funded Multiply Initiative – Plan, Shop & Save and Financial Wellbeing Workshops
In March 2023, Signpost joined as a referral partner to promote enrollment in The Plan, Shop & Save and Financial Wellbeing workshops. These workshops are designed to help individuals build a healthier relationship with money and boost confidence in areas like maths, numeracy, personal finance, and budgeting.
Signpost’s centres in Greenstead, Tendring and Basildon, enabled the workshop delivery facilitators to outreach in some of the most deprived areas of Essex where poor numaracy skills needed addressing. Delivered in partnership with ECC and EnableEast, Signpost offered both workshops, covering practical topics such as budgeting, making informed spending choices, developing positive financial habits, and knowing where to turn for support when managing finances becomes overwhelming.
Past Projects
Funder | Project Title | Focus/Purpose | Target 1 | Achieved | Target 2 | Achieved | Comments |
ESF/Lottery | Building Better Opportunities – Community Connections Essex | Employability for People with Physical Health Challenges. | 173 Participants Moving into Employment | 187 Participants secured Employment (108%) | 200 Participants moving into Education/Training | 223 Participants enrolled on courses (111%) | Working in Partnership led by the Papworth Trust. It is noteworthy that this project was renewed three times. Signpost was one of the few partners involved at all stages. |
ESF/Lottery | Building Better Opportunities – HeadsUp | Employability for People with Mental Health challenges. | 126 Participants Moving into Employment | 201 Participants secured Employment (159%) | 134 Participants moving into Education/Training | 124 Participants enrolled on courses (92%) | Working in Partnership led by EnableEast. As with the CCE project, the HeadsUp project was extended from its original end date of December 2020 to December 2023. |
ESF / Education & Skills Funding Agency | ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) | To deliver ESOL courses tailored towards employability, aimed at refugees. | 13 Participants moving into Employment | 10 Participants secured Employment (78%) | 13 Participants moving into Education/Training | 25 Participants enrolled on courses (192%) | Working in partnership with the London Learning Consortium (LLC) as part of their Skills for Life program, the project aimed to help refugees who were disadvantaged from progressing into Employment and Education/Training due to language barriers. |
What our Funders and Partners have said about us
Here are some of the insightful appraisal comments from our Funders and Lead Partners.
“Signpost has been one of our Partners delivering the Community Connections Essex project since 1 April 2017. Signpost has been a very supportive and effective partner in delivering a high-quality service to participants with the participant being at the heart of everything they do to ensure they reach their full potential on their journey. Signpost staff are a pleasure to work with always ensuring they meet targets/performance and adhere to getting all necessary documentation required.” – Helen Stanley, Community Connections Manager at the Papworth Trust.
“Signpost has surpassed all expectations by translating its support for adults into referrals into bite-sized Multiply courses. Signpost has helped and empowered traditionally hard to hard-to-reach adults to take part in ‘Multiply’ learning. Maths is a hard sell, particularly when many still wear the psychological scars of poor educational experiences. The time taken by Signpost’s staff to build rapport with the people they have supported has broken down these barriers. In just over 6 months, this approach has yielded excellent results with 200 unemployed adults acquiring vital skills for life. Essex County Council is looking forward to building on this already fruitful relationship for Multiply and beyond. We highly recommend Signpost for its effective approach and supportive ethos.” – Dr Craig Elliott, Skills Development Manager, Essex County Council.