A project to try and get unemployed people back into work or education has received a massive boost.

The Huddersfield-based Proper Job Theatre is one of four organisations in Yorkshire to share £1,258,400 via the Reaching Communities programme from The Big Lottery Fund.

The group, which is based in Byram Arcade, has received £350,400 for its Lab Project, which runs drama workshops for people who are unemployed. It helps unemployed adults boost their communication skills by acting out situations such as job interviews.

The participants also get the chance to go into Kirklees primary schools and run drama workshops during their two-week course.

James Beale, Proper Job Theatre art director, said it was a very welcome grant.

The money will be allocated to the project over two years and enable them to extend the courses to other areas of Kirklees.

He said: “We would hope to run 10 courses in each year and have 15 people on each course.

“It is for all ages but is is best suited to people over 25 who are not in employment or education.

“We run the courses to improve their confidence. They learn how to put on drama workshops and during the course they will go into a primary school to present the programme.

“We also invite employers and education providers along and it allows the unemployed people to connect with them. The funding will enable us to conduct more courses and hopefully expand into Dewsbury and Batley."

Dharmendra Kanani, Big Lottery Fund England director, said: “Today’s grants will go a long way towards improving the lives of hundreds of people and their communities.

“Some will become empowered to take control of their lives; others will gain the opportunity to meet old and new friends in a community space ending their loneliness and isolation.

“That is what the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme is all about - helping those people and communities most in need.”

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