WITH the highest number of people on incapacity benefit in the country, east Durham has been targeted for a £1.6m back-to-work scheme.

More than 11,000 people draw the benefit in the Easington district and the launch this week of the Aim High Routeback project aims to help them back to work.

An earlier Routeback scheme to establish details about those on long-term sick was piloted on Tyneside and Teesside and completed last year. It established that there was a real desire for people on the benefit to return to work

The two-year venture, which will provide assistance to find jobs for those receiving incapacity benefit, is being focused on the Easington area, which was recently categorised as one of the most deprived districts in the country.

The programme, which got underway on Tuesday, is being managed by Easington Primary Care Trust.

Those taking part in the initiative will be offered advice on how to cope with their medical condition and provided with help to find suitable employment.

They will also be encouraged to take part in further education, training and volunteering.

Cynthia Bartley, project manager, said: "There are 11,000 people in the Easington district receiving incapacity benefit. Many of these people may be prevented from returning to work because they have lost their confidence, or are worried about how they would cope in the workplace.

"Aim High Routeback aims to help people understand and manage their health condition on a day-to-day basis and, once participants feel confident enough, help them find suitable employment.''

Twelve health and employment professionals are based at Dawdon Community Centre, in Seaham, where they will help participants work through a programme of condition management and employment advice.

They will also be offering advice and support on such issues as money management, adopting a healthy lifestyle and overcoming obstacles to return to work such as lack of confidence.

Guidance will also be available on employment issues, from writing a CV to interviewing techniques and obtaining training.

The two-year project is being supported by the Northern Way, a partnership between the three regional development agencies based in the North.

Vince Taylor, Northern Way director of implementation, said: "A key aim of the Northern Way is to bring 100,000 people currently on incapacity benefit back into work by 2014.

"We are delighted to be able to support this enhanced pilot in Easington, which we hope will identify cost-effective methods for getting people back to work and which can then be rolled out across the North and potentially the rest of the country.''