Furness Enterprise are working with Impact’s Social Inclusion department to better support the unemployed in their region back into employment.

Objective

Furness Enterprise are a not-for-profit job access organisation working with unemployed people in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK. The team already deliver a good personalised service but were looking to improve their overall success rate in getting people back into work. One of the major challenges faced by people who have been out of work for a long period is having the confidence and self esteem to start the process of looking for work.

Solution

Impact worked in partnership with Furness Enterprise to design a programme that allowed participants to develop the skills and confidence needed to work with others. The three-day event included a journey programme in the English Lake District, where participants took part in new activities in an unfamiliar environment. Whilst exploring and challenging their own boundaries they were encouraged to reflect and recognise their own transferable skills. Throughout the programme, participants were asked to take responsibility for their personal development, to recognise their abilities and successes. A key element of the programme was taking personal responsibility for their own decision-making, driving their own development and motivation. As an introduction to the journey Impact facilitated dialogue on teamwork and confidence and the event concluded with a final feedback session.

Result

The programme has been a resounding success. All the participants felt that they achieved more than they had believed they were capable of and could easily identify their next steps towards employment. Furness Enterprise is now able to demonstrate that a partnership with Impact enhances their ability to meet their targets whilst demonstrating that taking a fresh approach to worklessness pays off.

"Working with Impact has enabled Furness Enterprise to enhance the options that it offers to ‘harder to help’ clients on their route to work. The difference in the client’s attitude and thinking after three days with Impact is amazing."

Jon Lyons
Employment and Skills Manager

What the participants thought…
"I have learnt that if I push myself further I can achieve new things"
"I have learnt to push myself and that I am a good team member and can do things I didn’t think I could"
"It was a great experience"
"I have learnt that I can be part of a team more than I realised. I also learnt that I can take risks and come out of my comfort zone which I want to start making myself do"
"I have learnt to be more confident"
"I can do new things with a group of people I’ve never met before"

Read more about Impact's approach to Social Inclusion
Read another Social Inclusion case study: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council