Businesses in the district can help improve the employment prospects of hundreds of local young unemployed people with the launch of a new youth employment hub.

The East Surrey Youth Hub helps young unemployed people aged 18-24 claiming Universal Credit overcome barriers to finding work, while helping local employers find hard working, enthusiastic and innovative people to join their organisations.

The hub, which has now launched digitally, will provide access to a wide range of coaching, mentoring and soft skills development from local businesses, tailored to meet an individual’s career aspirations. When it is safe to do so, the hub will also be physically based in the district twice a week, in Quadrant House in Caterham and the Council Offices in Oxted.

Young residents identified as needing job support will be referred to the hub by their local Jobcentre Plus.

We are working closely with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, which is leading the project, with funding from the Department of Work and Pensions through its Flexible Support Fund.

To find out more about how your business can get involved, please e-mail Suzanne.carey@dwp.gov.uk.