The Rise2Thrive programme helps adults in North Yorkshire and York who are either out of work or in work but struggling with barriers such as neurodiversity, physical health, mental health, and disabilities.
The scheme is led by Better Connect, a non-profit organisation based in Knaresborough.
It sees individuals work with keyworkers who can provide tailored one-to-one support and refer them to specific help such as therapy, counselling, debt advice, housing support, wellbeing activities and vocational training.
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It is designed to help participants overcome barriers, improve health and gain confidence and skills in order to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
The scheme, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, follows on from the successful Rise programme, which ran for one year from March 2023.
It too worked with economically inactive individuals with complex barriers to work. Rise supported 427 people, of which 77 people entered into work and was also funded by the prosperity fund.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, who is chair of the Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership Group in North Yorkshire, said: “It is fantastic to see the positive effect this funding is having in our communities.
“Projects like Rise and Rise2Thrive are making a profound impact, helping individuals overcome significant barriers and achieve their full potential.
“The support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been instrumental in enabling these transformative programmes.”
Selby dad-of-three Chris Wilson, who had been out of work since the Covid-19 pandemic, was supported by Up for Yorkshire, one of Better Connect’s partners delivering the Rise programme.
The 51-year-old enrolled in a Level 1 Health and Social Care course and was encouraged to take part in a weekly fitness group, along with other activities at his own pace.
It was through this course that he found work as a project support officer with Everyday Enable in Selby which offers benefit advice and support and disability awareness to businesses.
Chris said: “I can safely say this is the best job I have ever had. I love my job! If I had not met the team at Up for Yorkshire, I would probably still be unemployed, feeling sorry for myself. I’m so grateful for the Rise programme and all it has given me.”
The chief executive officer of Better Connect, Natasha Babar-Evans, said: “With millions of people across the UK struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, programmes like Rise2Thrive have never been more important as they help people to overcome barriers so they can move forward into sustainable employment or training and get the support they need to thrive in life and at work.”
To find out more about Rise2Thrive, go to: https://betterconnect.org.uk/our-projects/rise2thrive/ or contact the team directly at rise2thrive@betterconnect.org.uk
