The Growth Company to tackle barriers to employment with new Greater Manchester support programme

The Growth Company has won the contract to deliver the Working Well

The Growth Company has won a contract to deliver a new programme of support for people aged 19 and over with complex needs in Greater Manchester at risk of or experiencing long-term unemployment. 

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Support to Succeed offer will form part of the wider Working Well suite of programmes, which were launched in 2014 by GMCA to test and further evidence the relationship between work and health to pilot a case for devolution.

Working Well has since developed into a comprehensive employment and health offer, which provides wraparound support across a wide spectrum of need.

Launching in January 2024, Support to Succeed will engage economically inactive Greater Manchester residents who are not currently accessing support or seeking employment. There will also be dedicated support for residents over the age of 50 experiencing age-related challenges such as concerns about returning to work or developing new skills.

The initiative will offer person-centred, one-to-one support with work experience, life skills and employability skills, from CV writing to job application and interview preparation, with the aim of addressing and overcoming barriers preventing employment and progressing towards goals and aspirations.

Andy Roberts, Director of Employment for Greater Manchester at the Growth Company said: “This programme will support individuals in hard-to-reach communities who are not currently employed or seeking work, by addressing personal challenges and barriers to employment, from mental health problems to caring responsibilities.

“By highlighting the key benefits of being employed, such as a sense of purpose, increased income and social interaction, Support to Succeed will positively impact the lives of people across Greater Manchester by advancing equalities and improving prospects.”

Support will be offered flexibly over a timescale agreed between participants and The Growth Company dependent on their needs and aspirations.

In addition to people aged over 50, priority groups for the programme include:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Those with caring responsibilities
• Health and/or disability barriers
• Offenders/ex-offenders
• Survivors of domestic abuse
• People dealing with substance misuse
• Armed forces personnel and/or their partners
• People experiencing racial inequalities
• Individuals with low basic workplace skills

To pre-register your interest in this programme, please email: SupporttoSucceed@gcemployment.uk