Cannock residents who are considering returning to work after ill health are invited to attend an open day being hosted by Jobcentre Plus on Tuesday 27th April 2004 between 10.00am to 3.00pm at Cannock Jobcentre in Beecroft Court, Beecroft Road, Cannock.

Jobcentre Plus in Cannock has arranged the open day, the first of its kind in the area, to enable local residents to find out about the huge range of services available to help them back to work or find suitable training opportunities.

Sue Summers, manager of Cannock Jobcentre, said:

"Jobcentre Plus has specialist advisers who will be on hand at the open day to offer people expert advice and guidance in finding and keeping a job if they have a health problem that affects the work that they can do. We can also provide advice and support to people already in work who are concerned about losing their job for a reason associated with a health condition or disability.

"We have several employment programmes especially designed to help them overcome, or remove, the barriers that they face when looking for a job, such as Access to Work. It can provide specialist equipment for the workplace or fares to work for people who cannot use public transport. Details of all the various services available through Jobcentre Plus will be on offer at the open day in a friendly and relaxed environment. There will be an opportunity to have a confidential chat to a personal adviser on a one to one basis to discuss their individual situation without any obligation."

There will also be the chance to view local full and part time job vacancies and training opportunities, as well as receive advice on in work benefits and other financial incentives that may be available when starting work. People who are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit may also be able do some approved part time work without their benefits being affected or as much voluntary work as they like. Advisers will be able to discuss local opportunities in more detail.

Work Assist Job Brokers, who work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to deliver New Deal for Disabled People, will also be at the event to offer specialist help all under one roof. New Deal for Disabled People is a voluntary programme delivered through a network of Job Brokers who have been chosen by Jobcentre Plus because of their experience of working with people with health conditions or disabilities.

Interested people can call into the open day next Tuesday at any convenient time between 10.00am to 3.00pm and no appointment is required. For further information about the open day, contact Sue and her team at Cannock Jobcentre on telephone number 01543 5142377.