A £2 million support programme to help people back to work has provided support for hundreds of North Yorkshire residents, helping to ensure they have the best possible career opportunities.

The Rise2Thrive programme which is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), supports 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, led by Better Connect, a non-profit organisation based in Knaresborough, 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.

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.

It follows on from the successful Rise programme, also funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which ran for one year from March 2023 and worked with economically inactive individuals with complex barriers to work. Rise supported 427 people, of which 77 people entered into work.

Council, leader, Cllr Carl Les, who is chair of the Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership Group in the county, 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."

Chris Wilson, who lives in Selby, was supported by Up for Yorkshire, one of Better Connect’s partners delivering the Rise programme.

The 51-year-old father-of-three 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, having been out of work since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

He 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."

Find out more about the Rise2Thrive programme or contact the team directly at rise2thrive@betterconnect.org.uk

We have supported a variety of business and community groups through different grant and support schemes via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Read more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.