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Employment and training support centre closing due to lack of funding
August 2009

It is with great sadness that I write of the news that The Richmond Fellowship employment support centre for people experiencing mental illness is having to close due to insufficient funding. For 15 years they have offered careers advice and guidance, job preparation, training opportunities and support in paid/voluntary work to both employees and employers. They have also run a commercial work project - a warehouse providing a structured work and training environment. Activities included contract packing and assembly work, reception and telephone skills. Despite their hardest efforts to keep the service running it is no longer possible.

One of the first things I was referred to when I had to be admitted to the mental health day hospital was Richmond Fellowship. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff I found it a relaxing and productive place to be. There I attended assertiveness and office skills courses, and received the encouragement I needed to do what I now do - design web sites, this being one of them. Without R.F. i'd never have got my first computer, learnt how to design web sites such as this one, and found work with Bucks Mind. Despite the presence of much smaller ventures in neighbouring towns, such as the Bucks Mind Supported Employment Service in chesham, because of the demand I have little doubt that for many people who are currently experiencing mental illness and those who will in coming years the outlook will be much poorer due to the disappearance of this organisation in Aylesbury.

The mentally ill have a RIGHT to work. And while charities promote campaigns encouraging employers not to discriminate against people with mental health issues, the powers that be, those who hold the purse strings, do away with the services that help the very same people to get to a point where they can apply for work and help them overcome any problems they have once in work. It's nonsensical. A service enabling people to get in to work, training or education is ESSENTIAL.

The Richmond Fellowship Aylesbury has been an important and pivotal part of my life and has without doubt been to many more people besides. I'd like to thank all the staff who have worked there for their good work, and I wish all the staff and clients the best of luck for the future.

Perhaps you could make your opinions known on the issue of employment and training advice locally by partaking in the poll below.

For people experiencing mental health difficulties I believe there is... More than enough employment and training services. Sufficient employment and training services. Not enough employment and training services. A severe lack of employment and training services. [View results]

• 08/04/2009

For people experiencing mental health difficulties I believe there is...

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