A COUNCIL-FUNDED project to help people find work is expanding.

Durham County Council’s Employability Project provides one-to-one mentoring and guidance for jobseekers, including on searching for jobs, getting training and education and writing CVs.

The project is already available in Teesdale, Weardale, Bishop Auckland, Shildon, Crook, Tow Law and Willington.

It is now expanding to the mid-Durham area, covering Lanchester, Esh Winning, Brandon, Ushaw Moor and nearby villages.

Funding has come from the council’s Mid-Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP).

Councillor Neil Foster, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The Employability Project has already made a genuine difference in other areas of the county so it’s great news that residents in Mid-Durham can now benefit too.”

Paul Fitchett, chair of Mid-Durham AAP, said: “Local residents from across the community identified job prospects as one of their top priorities for the AAP to look at so we’re delighted to be bringing the Employability Project to the area.

“The support offered by the mentors has already helped many people into work and we’d urge residents in the Mid-Durham area looking for work to contact them now and see how they can help them.”

For more information on the Employability Project, call 03000-262-383.