Second-year funding will let six Stockport voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups continue and widen employment support for residents facing barriers such as mental health issues, isolation and caring responsibilities.
The programme, first run from November 2025 to March 31, 2026, uses community organisations to work at residents’ pace and prioritises confidence, connection and purpose before job outcomes.
First-year results included women creating a community café, young people turning lived experience into employable strengths, and some participants moving from volunteering into paid roles within the programme.
Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions via Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Stockport council, the scheme is part of Stockport’s Live Well strategy to widen access to work and push employers toward more inclusive hiring.
The model has also drawn wider regional attention, with Sector 3 commissioned to share lessons across Greater Manchester and one carers-focused workplace training project already helping an employer identify five unpaid carers in its workforce.