LCR CONNECT SCOOPS SECOND NATIONAL AWARD
Mayor Steve Rotheram’s flagship project to create an ultrafast, full fibre network across the Liverpool City Region has scooped a second prestigious national award. LCR Connect is installing a 214km gigabitcapable network that will generate an initial £105m for the local economy, eventually leading to an estimated £1bn boost. The £30m joint venture between the Combined Authority, ITS and NGE is part of Mayor Rotheram’s mission to make the city region the most digitally connected in the UK. LCR Connect has been named Best Project Roll Out at the Connected Britain awards, which recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions and programmes that are shaping Britain’s digital future. The award is for an organisation of any type that has been outstanding in enhancing the delivery of gigabit-capable broadband in the UK. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “A forward-facing city region like ours deserves to have modern and thriving infrastructure – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering through LCR Connect. “As we move towards an increasingly digital
“A forward-facing city region like ours deserves to have modern and thriving infrastructure – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering through LCR Connect.” world, ensuring that our residents and businesses are properly connected up to this 21st century necessity has never been more important. Thanks to LCR Connect, we’re well on our way to becoming the most digitally inclusive region in the country – and creating a better-connected future for our 1.6m residents.” LCR Connect is 50%-owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, led by Mayor Rotheram, in partnership with North West-based ITS Technology Group, who are the lead commercial partner on
the project, working alongside construction partner NGE, who are managing the build and roll out of the network. Alongside existing local digital infrastructure, the new fibre optic network is helping position the city region as a world leader in digital technology. Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS Technology Group, said: “We are delighted this game-changing digital infrastructure project has received industry recognition. As a gigabit-capable super-highway, LCR Connect is opening up the digital potential for everyone across the City Region. “Through future-proofed connectivity the network brings, we’re providing the platform for businesses and citizens to access digital tools that can make a real difference. “From enabling innovation and inward investment, through to digital inclusion, it’s a network that will benefit the whole area.”
INNOVATION IN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Employment rates for people with severe and enduring mental illnesses are unacceptably low. For many with a mental illness, gaining employment is still a desirable step in their recovery journey, yet only 8% of those who are interested in returning to work are in paid employment. That’s why Individual Placement Support (IPS), an employment service within The Life Rooms, take an innovative approach to supporting clients affected by mental illness to find meaningful paid employment and get back into the workplace. IPS Employment Specialists spend time getting to know their clients through vocational profiling, finding out what their skills and job interests are, building trust, and coaching them with confidence and interview techniques. The team then identify potential or existing employer partners who could offer the right job match for their clients, and they build a relationship that supports the employer through the process, as well as the employee. Ongoing support for both the client and the employer is provided by IPS, with regular check-ins to see how things are progressing, and what additional support if any is needed.
Liverpool Chamber
Working in partnership with local employers not only benefits business, but the local community as well, by identifying opportunities for people to return to work, supporting unemployment rates, and providing a service to the rest of the community. Clients who are under the care of a Community Mental Health Team or an Early Intervention Team are eligible for the IPS employment service. Employment Specialists work closely with these clinical teams to identify people who are interested in finding or returning to work, offering hope and optimism to clients about their next steps. IPS Service work across Liverpool, Warrington, Halton, and Wirral. They have job seekers who are ready to take the next step, and that could be with your business. The team have already had successful job starts for their clients with Liverpool Passport Office, Royal Liverpool Hospital,
Premier Inn Liverpool, Trespass Outdoor, B&M, and more. Many partner employers have returned to IPS to recruit to additional roles. If you’re interested in working in partnership with IPS for your business, and supporting local people and communities, visit liferooms.org/ support/IPS
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