This project aims to provide holistic support for disadvantaged people who are furthest from the labour market to overcome barriers to move towards and into sustainable volunteering, education, training or employment in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire.

• Ex-offenders (particularly those with convictions relating to violence) with a housing need who are unemployed or economically inactive
• Age 19+ or who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
• Legally resident in the UK and able to take paid employment in EU member states

Connecting Choices Personal Coaches will offer an intensive, holistic service to meet individual needs through minimum fortnightly community-based coaching, support and review sessions, local group/project and online activities.

The following activities will be available based on the individual needs of participants:

Accessing financial help and housing: understanding credit and how to get it; Better Off Calculation to ascertain correct levels of working hours vs earnings thresholds for Universal Credit; gambling and debt advice; money management; access to support via National Debtline, Money Advice Service and local partners.

Coaching: problem solving, decision-making, coping strategies and health management; resilience; careers guidance to develop realistic job goals; CV creation/tailoring; employer expectations.

Training: communication, employability skills, workplace behaviours; access to accredited training to address skills gaps including Basic Skills, ESOL.

Digital skills: workshops to assess and improve levels of online and digital literacy

Jobsearch: skills development 1:1 and group workshops including peer supported Work Clubs; proactive job-matching.

Personal development: health & well-being 1:1 and group sessions, including community sports, cycling/walking projects, substance misuse interventions.

Self-employment: IAG via Ixion’s Develop/Grow Your Enterprise programmes.

Signposting/advocacy: with existing services e.g. health, housing; use of our Childcare Database; making/attending appointments e.g. for substance misuse support, with joint working to boost confidence and engagement with local services.

Specialist support: specialist partners including Royal Association for Deaf People (hearing impairments), Genius Within (neuro-differences and chronic conditions), RE:Source (substance misusers) provide specialist interventions and support to breakdown most complex needs

Volunteering and work placements: aiming to build skills by means of career guidance and supported placements with volunteer mentors, tailored to meet participant needs e.g. people with disabilities, ESOL needs, women.

Into-work transition: action planning and three months’ practical support to promote sustainability including childcare.