University of Northampton-backed return to work initiative saw 170 people re-employed

The 'Working Progress' initiative has helped 170 people to get back into employment in Northampton and has injected a £1 million boost to the economy.

The university backed initiative, ‘Working Progress’, is a national project that provides funding to organisations, who steer people from ‘difficult to reach’ groups toward employment. This group can include people who are over 50 years old or have a disability and have struggled to regain the confidence to start seeking a job.

Between August 2019 and July 2020, Working Progress Northamptonshire has benefitted programme participants as well as partner organisations including local charities.

The social impact value for the project during that period was £1,110,876. This includes a £143,381.87 reduction in welfare payments and increases in £44,000 (tax) and £44,966 (National Insurance).

The project helped to improve relationships between participants and organisations to reduce social isolation; increased wellbeing by boosting confidence and self-esteem; increased individual self-efficacy and increased abilities in job searching and general employment skills in technology and English language as well as interviewing and building a CV.

One participant, who took part in the project’s evaluation, said: “It’s made me more outgoing. I’m not so much afraid to tackle things now because I know I’ve got people behind me to help me. They have time for you, that’s what I like about this programme, they have a lot of time for you. It doesn’t matter what time of their day it is, they’re there to support you.”

Working Progress Northamptonshire has been co-delivered by Northampton University’s Research and Innovation directorate and partner organisation, Commsortia, since 2016. Its funding is matched by the European Union and the National Lottery Community Fund.

The university has been helping local organisations - who are not used to working with the EU - to put in bids for Working Progress funding, thus building the capacity of these organisations.

Dr Claire Paterson, senior researcher in Social Innovation and Impact, said: “Aside from the obvious financial benefits such a scheme can bring, it's the real human stories of achievement that give Working Progress resonance and - we hope - a lasting legacy.

“For some, even getting to the point where they could ready themselves to re-enter the job market was an achievement and, to read their heart-warming stories of progress to that point, has been reward enough."

Working Progress is continuing to support participants in Northamptonshire until December 2021.

Find out more about our Institute for Social Innovation and Impact’s work.