The National Schizophrenia Fellowship has been awarded £170,000 by the Department for Education and Employment to help people with severe mental illness into sustained employment in London and Essex. It is believed to be the first time money from employment - rather than social care - has been used to back work for people with severe mental illness, and was welcomed by NSF chief executive Cliff Prior as a 'positive recognition' by government. The grant will be used in partnership with health authorities, trusts, social services and the private sector to help 140 people find jobs in open employment. There will be support on the job for new employees and their employers, and self-employment will also be supported.