A NEW project is helping to boost the skills of vulnerable and unemployed people across Tameside.
Almost 100 residents have taken part in a programme to help them make progress towards future employment, personal growth and independence.
It was commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is being delivered by Groundwork Greater Manchester.
The ‘Working Well: Support To Succeed’ programme – which launched in January and has funding until March 2025 – has supported people experiencing challenges such as addiction, poverty, homelessness and social isolation to help them to build trust, overcome anxieties and build skills towards a brighter future.
Participants have been able to access a range of activities through person-centred, one-to-one support from a Groundwork key worker.
Sessions include everything from money management courses to gardening workshops, as well as support accessing healthcare, housing, technology, skills training and even a driving licence.
Specialist employment coaches were also on hand to help people overcome barriers to employment, offering support with job applications, interview techniques and clothing suitable for a job interview.
Stephen, a veteran after leaving the military in 1998, reached out to the employment team at Groundwork to help him with motivation and confidence.
“After I left the military, I ran a catering business but this ended during Covid, which had a bad effect on my mental health,” he said.
“I attended one-to-one support sessions with my key worker at Groundwork to overcome these barriers, and I later started volunteering my time and expertise to help others learn how to cook.
“I helped in a veteran’s cafe and I am now leading on the Working Well: Support To Succeed cooking sessions to pass on my skills and help others learn how to cook.”
Groundwork Greater Manchester’s strategic lead for employment and wellbeing says projects like this can have a huge and positive impact on people’s lives.
“We are working directly with people who are the furthest from the employment market, or who may be employed in insecure jobs,” said Liane Kirk.
“They often find it very difficult to engage and move forward in their lives, due to the barriers they face on a daily basis.
“Our key workers are here to work with people at their own pace and to help them move forward in whatever way they want to.”