A 58-year-old Malvern man has been helped back to work by his local Jobcentre, whose support enabled him to obtain a pesticide training certificate to take up a gardening job. Richard Knight, of Knightwick, had been unemployed for six months before he decided to see a New Deal 50 plus adviser at his local Jobcentre in Malvern.

New Deal 50 plus advisers help older people overcome any barriers to work, discuss their situation and goals and agree what work is best for them. They can also help them claim an in-work training grant of up to £1,500 when they start work.

Richard started work with Worcester based gardening firm RE Daniel and Co. Limited in July this year, and is progressing well. He is about to embark on his second training course funded by New Deal 50plus, to get a JCB digger licence. Richard said: "New Deal 50 plus really gave me the help I needed to get back to work and pay for specific training I needed to give the skills required to do my new job. I'd recommend it to anyone who is aged 50 and over and is looking for some extra help to get back to work."

Tracey Harvey, New Deal 50 plus adviser manager at Malvern Jobcentre Plus, added: "New Deal 50 plus advisers are based in every Jobcentre Plus office and offer a range of specific services to help people aged 50 and over. For example, we can help you look and apply for suitable jobs, help you prepare your work history and letters of application, organise possible training opportunities that could improve your skills and support and reassure you throughout the programme."

For more information, including eligibility for New Deal 50 plus, people should contact their local Jobcentre Plus (telephone details are available in the phone book or by using the nearest office search on www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk) or ring 0845 606 2626 7am to 11pm, seven days a week (textphone number for people who are hearing or speech impaired is 0845 606 0680).