- 13th May 2025
- Back to All News
• Government funding for five employment support trailblazers in the capital
• Young Londoners and people with health conditions set to benefit
• Designed to get more people back into work and boost economic growth
A new £30m investment will help young Londoners and people living with health conditions overcome barriers to employment through Get Britain Working trailblazers.
The UK Government funding will enable the Mayor of London and London boroughs to deliver five innovative new programmes in the city.
Three programmes will support unemployed Londoners who face barriers to getting jobs – including disabled people, those with long term health conditions and people from underrepresented groups – while the other two will support young Londoners not in employment, education, or training, including care leavers.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said: “With so much talent and potential across our capital city, we want to help all young people thrive and reach their potential.
“That’s why we are investing £30million in our Youth Trailblazers scheme in London to support more young people, including those with disabilities and long-term health conditions, into work.
“In addition, our Youth Guarantee will ensure all 18-to-21-year-olds will get the chance to study, train or work. This is a key part of our Plan for Change, which will put more money in people’s pockets and make everyone better off.”
Cllr Antony Okereke, Chair of Local London and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said:
“London is growing eastwards, and with a GVA of over £50bn per annum, Local London sub-region is an economic powerhouse. The opportunities are huge, but not all our residents benefit from what's available on their doorstep. We have more people who are out of work than the rest of the capital. The reasons for this are multi-faceted, but we know that women, people with disabilities and long-term health issues, and carers are disproportionately affected.
“I'm delighted that Local London will be leading one of the trailblazers in the capital as part of the Government's plans to Get Britain Working. Working with the Mayor of London and Government, we have secured £7million devolved funding for our boroughs to trial new approaches to help our residents overcome barriers to work and to transform their lives.”
⇒ Read about Trailblazers in Local London
The Get Britain Working Trailblazers focus on joining up existing local services in the employment, health and skills, and youth industries to get people into work. The five programmes will work with more than 5,000 Londoners over the course of one year and will use innovative approaches including:
- a new a digital resource hub providing young people with real-time access to local opportunities and wraparound support;
- providing care leavers with a ‘starter pack’ including a laptop, mobile phone, internet access and phone cards to support young people who have recently moved into semi- or independent accommodation;
- eliminating childcare cost barriers for parents looking to return to work, training, or self-employment through a new Childcare Support Fund for parents and carers who are unable to access existing Government support grants.
The schemes will support the London Growth Plan, launched by London Councils and the Mayor earlier this year to turbocharge London’s economy, and will form part of the Inclusive Talent Strategy that the GLA and London Councils are developing to build a skilled workforce in the city.
London boroughs working in four sub-regional partnerships – Central London Forward, Local London, South London Partnership and West London Alliance – and City Hall will also continuously evaluate the programme to significantly increase the number of Londoners getting into training, finding good jobs and progressing at work.
For London’s businesses and employers, this will mean more people with a range of skills and experience in the labour market – ready to fill vacancies, boost productivity and increase economic growth. This will also make it easier for employers to benefit from London’s diversity and champion inclusive practices to make work more accessible.
London’s Get Britain Working Trailblazers were launched at Toynbee Hall on Thursday 8 May with speeches by UK Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, London Councils’ Executive member for Skills, Cllr Peter Mason and London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber.
Cllr Peter Mason, London Councils’ Executive member for Planning and Skills, said:
“With 1.3 million Londoners currently economically inactive and 1 in 5 young people in the capital unemployed, it's vital we have high-quality local support in place to help remove barriers to employment and support people into jobs and training. Not only will this benefit our residents and improve living standards, it will allow us to make most of the untapped potential and talent in our city in order to drive inclusive economic growth.
“Thanks to the Government’s £30 million trailblazer funding for London, boroughs have the investment boost we need to test new and innovative approaches, working through our sub-regional partnerships to learn what works best. These trailblazers will help pave the way for long-term transformation of employment support services, ensuring they are more integrated, deliver better outcomes and ensure the best possible value for public money."
Howard Dawber, London's Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, said: “The Mayor is committed to getting more Londoners into good jobs.
“We have ambitious targets in the new London Growth Plan to not only create jobs but good jobs, where people can start real careers and can thrive. This funding will allow us to reach people who most need support and help them to train for good futureproof jobs.
“Working together with national Government and local boroughs will mean we can build a better-skilled workforce and a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Notes to editors
The Government-backed trailblazer schemes have been launched across the UK. The nine inactivity and eight youth trailblazers across the country, backed by £170m, are a key part of the Government’s plan to Get Britain Working to put more money in people’s pockets under the Plan for Change.
London is the only region in the country to receive more than one trailblazer; there will be 5 Trailblazers with a total funding amount of £30m. The five innovative new programmes will be led by Central London Forward, Local London, South London Partnership, and the West London Alliance Sub-Regional partnerships. Sub-Regional Partnerships (SRPs) groups of boroughs working together via a single organisation.
About London Councils
London Councils is the collective of local government in London.
Where shared ambitions are developed, agreed, championed, and delivered at London Councils by members working together.
Where boroughs speak as one and collaborate with the government, the Mayor of London, the London public sector, the third sector, business, and other key UK and international cities.
More about London Councils here: www.londoncouncils.gov.uk
Media contact
Gemma Kappala-Ramsamy
020 7934 9842
gemma.kappala-ramsamy@londoncouncils.gov.uk
Integration Hub Listening Exercise Report by Localis
Produced by independent think-tank, Localis, this report highlights key findings from conversations with frontline staff involved in helping people find work or training opportunities. This research has informed the direction of travel for the Local London Integration Hub, including the development of a sub-regional Local London Standard Framework setting out the level of service that residents should receive regardless of which borough they are in and their point of access.
We’re excited to announce that we will be launching two new programmes that will help over 16,000 people find work in our nine boroughs.
These new employment support schemes, representing around £60 million investment into the sub-region, will join our portfolio of programmes that have already helped more than 26,000 people get closer to the job market.
Both programmes will complement the services that are already available from council services and Jobcentre Plus, by helping people who may not otherwise get support.
Connect To Work
Connect to Work is a three-year* Government-funded programme that will be available to people with disabilities, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment in all nine of our boroughs.
The programme will focus on giving people the support they need to get into good work quickly and then provide ongoing support to the employer and employee to help them develop in that role.
We are working with the Department of Work and Pensions and our boroughs to finalise plans to go live this summer.
Trailblazers
Launching soon, Trailblazers, a one-year programme, will trial innovative approaches to support people who are economically inactive into work.
This will include a mix of self-employment or business start-up support, childcare contributions, and training to help people find and stay in work.
Don’t miss out
Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with Trailblazers, Connect to Work, and our other employment, skills and careers support.
Discover more about our employment programmes.
*with potential to extend for a further two years.
Our Work and Health Programme has helped over 21,000 people across our nine boroughs to either find work, training, or taken them closer to the job market.
While the programme is no longer taking referrals, our employment support team is working hard with our delivery partners to ensure people on the programme are getting the best support possible to find long-term work they enjoy.
This year already our partners have organised over 35 events and workshops to help people find work, and many more activities are planned.
One of the thousands of people who have been helped to find work and transform their lives, is Nick from Greenwich, who joined the Work and Health Programme in March 2024, facing an abrupt career change prompted by health issues. Nick was supported by Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB) who deliver our Work and Health Programme in Greenwich.
How Nick nailed his career change*
1. Rebuilding confidence
Having built a successful career in the retail industry, Nick’s forced career change due to health issues was not easy. It affected his confidence, but he was determined to rebuild his life.
Nick joined the Local London Work and Health programme and quickly received vital support from the team’s health specialists who guided him through the emotional and practical challenges posed by his health changes. This helped him adapt and foster a renewed sense of self-belief.
2. Being open to opportunities
The Work and Health Programme team referred him onto a Level 1 Digital Skills course at Lewisham College. This proved pivotal. He embraced the learning experience, excelling in the course to the extent that his tutor encouraged him to pursue a higher-level course. To facilitate his learning, partners at Greenwich’s GLLaB team provided him with a laptop, enabling him to practice at home.
3. Not giving up
It wasn’t long before Nick showed an interest in an ‘Assembly Technician’ apprenticeship. Nick actively engaged in CV reviews and mock interview sessions. His enthusiasm was evident, and his confidence grew daily. Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful. But Nick did not give up.
Nick continued to engage with the programme’s work club regularly, receiving support with job searches, CV reviews, and interview preparation. He also participated in recruitment sessions run by the programme, meeting with potential employers both in group settings and one-to-one sessions.
4. Getting out and meeting employers
One of the defining moments in his journey was attending the annual GLLaB jobs fair. This event gave him the chance to meet prospective employers and network with key industry contacts. Notably, he met the local Mayor and this lifted his spirits.
During the event, Nick connected with a recruitment agency offering ‘Manufacturing Operator’ roles. The position involved a high level of technical skill and precision assembling mechanical and electro-mechanical sub-sea and land-based telecommunications equipment. This appealed to Nick and put himself forward to attend an assessment. His enthusiasm and potential shone, and was offered an interview.
5. Making the most of all the support available
With the support of the Work and Health programme’s employer engagement team, Nick took onboard the one-to-one tailored interview preparation. This meant he aced the interview and was offered the job!
To ensure he was work-ready, the programme provided travel-to-work expenses and high street vouchers to purchase work attire.
Since starting his new role some months ago, Nick has been thriving. He is enjoying working with his hands, and methodically assembling complex items.
The Power of Tailored Support
Nick’s key worker at GLLAB said “Nick’s journey is a testament to his perseverance, resilience, and the power of tailored support. From navigating setbacks to embracing new learning opportunities, he has not only secured employment but also regained his confidence, self-belief, and passion for work. His ability to transition from a 20-year career in retail management to a hands-on technical role demonstrates his adaptability and commitment to personal growth.”
Find out more
Find out more about our Employment Support Programmes
*Name changed.
- 11th April 2025
- Back to All News
Test – Hundreds more people helped by Work and Health Programme Pioneer
We recently hosted the second in a series of webinars designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses in London to find and develop existing talent.
Over 70 people joined the online session which focused on Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), an initiative helping employers bridge skills gaps while providing jobseekers with essential training and employment opportunities.
Subheading
We recently hosted the second in a series of webinars designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses in London to find and develop existing talent.
Over 70 people joined the online session which focused on Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), an initiative helping employers bridge skills gaps while providing jobseekers with essential training and employment opportunities.
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The event was highly interactive. Attendees from businesses across London, public sector and education partners posed live questions to a panel of experts representing all perspectives of this collaborative approach to addressing employers’ skills needs, including:
- Roy Pearce and Lauren Rogers from L&Q, a leading housing provider, shared their perspective on using SWAPs to address skills shortages and enhance social impact in their business.
- Divine Bonsu, who joined L&Q through SWAPs, provided a first-hand account of her journey, offering valuable insights into how the programme has shaped her career.
- Adrian Gabriel-Lovell, Operations Manager, and Abigail Fernandes, Employer and Partnership Manager from Jobcentre Plus who explained how SWAPs connect jobseekers with training providers and helps employers to create direct pathways into work.
- Paul Mason Hughes, Community and Partnerships Manager at New City College, discussed how educational institutions can collaborate with employers to ensure training aligns with industry needs.
- Cathy Back, LSIP Employer Engagement at Local London, outlined how employers and training providers are addressing local skills gaps through SWAPs and other initiatives.
“It was an excellent webinar. My knowledge of SWAPs has increased, and it was great to hear the success stories of the SWAP” commented one attendee after the event.
Watch the webinar
The webinar was delivered as part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a pan-London strategy funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Business LDN in collaboration with London’s four sub-regional partnerships (SRPs): Local London, South London Partnership (SLP), Central London Forward (CLF), and West London Alliance (WLA).
The London LSIP aims to create employer-led training initiatives that address workforce development needs across the capital.
Sign up to the next event in the series
- 1-2pm
- 26 February 2025
Join South London Partnerships and South London Careers Hub to explore: How do we give young people meaningful experiences of the world of work and inspire the next generation? Book your place at the next FREE webinar in the series.
Sign up to the next event in the series
For more information on upcoming webinars and workforce development initiatives, explore our website or get in touch with lsip.locallondon@redbridge.gov.uk if you would like access to the webinar recording.
Discover our latest newsletter and Skills Special www.local.london/news/newsletter
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Hundreds of people are receiving support through Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer, part of the Government-funded specialist employment support for people in Wales, London and Southern Region who are looking for work.
Local London has been working with Maximus and JCP to improve collaboration, and month-on-month ensuring the programme reached the residents who needed its support.
Among the many people who have been supported through the programme, are Marcus and Pete. You can read their stories below.
Marcus is thriving with coffee and art
Marcus referred onto Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer in December 2023 and started the programme in January 2024. Prior to starting, Marcus had been unemployed for 3 years and had attempted to study at university.
When Marcus joined Pioneer, he identified his major barriers as being his learning disability and symptoms of depression which made rejections really difficult and often caused him to feel listless.
Helping Marcus to follow through on his goals
Straight away Marcus’ advisor began working with him to identify his interests and environments that would fit his mental health needs. Together they worked on developing his CV, interviewing skills, and overall confidence, helping to push Marcus to follow through on his goals. His advisor also introduced Marcus to ‘Well Grounded’, a training provider specifically oriented to the coffee industry and barista work.
In the same month as starting on Pioneer, Marcus began his course at Well Grounded. In May, after successfully completing his course, Marcus was placed into a coffee shop to put his skills into practice. During this time, his advisor continued to support him and liaised on his behalf to find a solution with Well Grounded when a difficulty arose regarding the location of his role.
Starting a full-time, permanent role he loves
In July 2024, Marcus started his first full-time, permanent contract at a coffee shop at the Royal Opera House. Marcus is thrilled with his new role as it provides generous benefits, is in a field he loves, and he has a schedule that works best for him. He sees this current opportunity as the start of what he hopes to be a long and successful career.
In addition to his recent full-time contract, Marcus has also been encouraged to continue his own artistic pursuits and has successfully sold several pieces in the time he’s been working with Maximus. Marcus has recently been invited to take part in an art showcase, where he will have even more opportunities to display and sell his artwork.
Marcus’ mother said “The support Marcus has received from Maximus UK has really changed his life. Marcus is so much happier now because he had people who listened and believed in his abilities.
I was initially worried that Pioneer would just be a programme that focused on putting people wherever, but that wasn’t the case at all. I’m so grateful to everyone who worked with Marcus and gave him the encouragement he needed.”
Pete’s confidence has been restored
Pete joined WHP Pioneer looking for help finding work, this is what he said:
“I joined WHP Pioneer, hoping for the guidance needed to secure employment.
When I joined, my assigned employer advisor from Maximus reviewed my CV and helped me prepare for interviews. Repeated rejections impacted my confidence, and travel costs for interviews were challenging. But my advisor’s continuous support and encouragement rebuilt my confidence, and financial support for travel for interviews was a relief.
With Maximus’s help, I secured a new job. My advisor’s consistent check-ins ensured I was happy and doing well, boosting my confidence.
Overall, the support has been transformative, helping me find employment and restoring my confidence in my abilities.”
Find out more about the WHP Pioneer programme
Across the Local London sub-region our Work and Health Programme has helped over 20,000 people find work or training to get them closer to the job market.
Delivered by Maximus, the Local London Work and Health (WHP) programme provides tailored support for up to 21 months to people who are out of the job market, many who have long-term health conditions and/or disabilities.
As well as providing wrap-around health, well-being and financial support, the programme helps with CV and interview skills and connects people to employers who are actively recruiting.
Interview successes at Bromley jobs fair
In October 2024, our delivery partner Maximus and the team at the London Borough of Bromley, organised a bespoke jobs fair for local residents on the Local London WHP programme and Restart.
Household brands including Lidl, Centaur and Placing People Direct were among the employers looking to find the right people for their vacancies.
Over 73% of Local London WHP participants were offered interviews!
Having arrived fully prepared with smart CVs, practiced and ready to interview, people on the programmes attended sessions with the employers to discover what it is like working in the business and the roles available.
Throughout the day the people on the programmes were reassured and reminded of their skills, chaperoned to and from meetings with prospective employers, and offered moral support by the Maximus team whilst they attended interviews.
The day reaped benefits. From the recruitment day over 73% of the Local London WHP participants were offered interviews, and some have now started work. Great result! Well done to everyone.
Aisha turns her life around in just two weeks
Everybody’s journey is different, and we are delighted that after being on the Local London Work and Health programme for just two weeks, Aisha* from Waltham Forest, began her career in the education sector.
Aisha, who is in her 20’s, was referred by her local job centre who thought she would benefit from the programme. They were right!
Understanding why Aisha was out of work, Shabana, her key worker, suggested that her health issues may be related to chronic stress and excessive strenuous pressure. Aisha immediately said “Wow! That sounds so accurate because I was going through a lot of stress during my postgraduate degree and my old workplace.”
They agreed that Aisha would benefit from specialist pain, health, stress management sessions, to help her manage symptoms and learn different coping mechanisms.
With Shabana’s support, Aisha made quick progress. Shabana referred Aisha to a CV specialist. After one meeting Aisha had an outstanding recruiter-ready CV. At the same time, Shabana spoke to her colleagues at Maximus who connect clients to suitable employers and agencies with open vacancies.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for your ongoing help!
The team reached out to potential employers and Aisha’s polished CV quickly secured her an interview with Qualiteach, a specialist teaching recruitment agency. Shabana immediately scheduled a mock interview for Aisha to make her real interview less daunting. Aisha’s CV, knowledge and interview conduct impressed the recruiter, and she has embarked on a new teaching career.
“I knew from the first meeting Shabana would be very helpful” Aisha said “She was so kind, caring and her positivity was absolutely contagious. Her own story inspired me and gave me the confidence to take that leap of faith and not let my health condition hold me back. I am so shocked that within 2 weeks I was successful in a job interview. I’m really excited and cannot wait to start my career in teaching. Thank you so much Shabana, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for your ongoing help!”
Funded by The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), we manage the programme on behalf of our boroughs to help more people get into and stay in good jobs.
- Find out more: maximusuk.co.uk/london
*Name changed.
UKSPF People and Skills is helping over 1,300 residents in our sub-region to find employment that works for them.
Many of the people the programme intends to help have mental or physical health issues, or other circumstances preventing them from looking for work.
Since starting in January 2024, over 1,300 people have been referred onto the programme, which is being delivered by our member boroughs’ employment brokerage services.
Through UKSPF People and Skills local people have been equipped with the understanding they need to manage their health and wellbeing long term, and locally-tailored employment support; including upskilling adults, particularly those with no or low-level qualifications.
As a result of the commitment of teams in our boroughs, the programme is helping people who were not looking for work consider themselves ready or closer to seeking employment.
- 55% of people on the programme are now actively job searching
- 26% have reported an increase employability skills
- 13% of people have gone on to successfully find employment
- Work Redbridge is the first borough to exceed expectations by supporting more people than it expected to be able to through the programme. Congratulations!
Who is UKSPF People and Skills helping?
Charlie*, a young care leaver recently moved to Havering was referred to Havering Works from the Leaving Care Team. Through the UKSPF programme, Havering Works helped him completed his L1 and L2 in bricklaying, and gain his CSCS card. With no relevant work experience, or connections, Havering Works supported Charlie to create a sector-specific CV, they put him in contact with local employers and helped him register for apprenticeships.
This is more than a job
With the support of Havering Works and a local college, Charlie secured an apprenticeship. After a successful work trial, Charlie’s employer decided he was more advanced than an apprentice and offered him a full-time role, subject to him being able to purchase a starter tool kit. The UKSPF grant enabled Havering Works to purchase the required tools and now Charlie is now a full time ‘Bricklaying Improver’. Charlie commented “This is more than a job, this is a career”.
Nina*, an Afghan refugee and now Waltham Forest resident, was supported to attend English language classes and with help from the team at Waltham Forest has secured employment at the Forest Cinema.
I really felt lost until I received the support
She said “The team have been incredibly helpful and I am so grateful for the support I received. I really felt lost until I received the support from Waltham Forest Council and I now feel like I am part of the community.”
*names changed
Find out about UKSPF People and Skills near you:
- Barking and Dagenham – find out more at B&D Works (formerly Job Shop)
- Bexley– find out more at BBE (Bexley Business and Employment)
- Bromley – find out more at Good Work Bromley Exchange at LSEC (London South East College)
- Enfield – find out more at STEPS (Skills Training Employment Pillar)
- Greenwich – find out more at GGLaB (Greenwich Local Labour & Business)
- Havering – find out more at Havering Works
- Newham – find out more at Our Newham Works
- Redbridge – find out more at Work Redbridge
- Waltham Forest – find out more at Waltham Forest Jobs
This programme is supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is providing £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The Local London Work and Health Programme has supported over 20,000 people across our nine boroughs, including many who were a long way from the job market to get more work ready and find sustainable jobs they enjoy.
Through the programme, Maximus UK provide tailored employability support, skills training, as well as health and well-being support to enable people to progress on their journeys back into employment, or into work for the first time.
Launched in 2016, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, and the European Social Fund (2016 – 2023), Maximus can take referrals from Job Centre Plus and from external referral organisations to enable people living in our nine boroughs who are unemployed, or have long-term health conditions and/or disabilities to access the programme.
Contact Maximus to find out more: whp.maximusuk.co.uk/london.
Hear how the Work and Health Programme is helping Shirley
One of the thousands of people we have helped through the programme is Shirley. Shirley spoke to us about her experience on the programme and how the team at Maximus is helping her. Watch the video below to hear her story, or read it below.
Read Shirley’s story
Shirley: “I’m Shirley Beard and I’m 59 years old.”
Interviewer: Can you tell us about the programme?
Shirley: “Well it’s a work programme getting [people] into work or training sessions or that sort of thing.”
Interviewer: What do you do in the programme?
Shirley: “At the moment I’m doing a workshop and an exercise class every week.”
Interviewer: How has it helped you, Shirley?
Shirley: “It’s helped me a lot, getting out of myself and out of my shell, and working with the work programme and them trying to get me into work, and I am very happy being on that course. And I’ve started walking a lot more now. The exercise classes have helped me. They are a lot of help.”
Interviewer: How has it been most beneficial to you?
Shirley: “It has brought all my health problems down a bit more and that’s one thing I do love about Maximus.”
Interviewer: Anything else to add?
Shirley: “I want to say thank you very much for helping me to get me where I am now.”
Find out more
Discover the Local London Work and Health programme funded by the DWP.
Related news
Discover more news from our employment programmes.
Local London’s Integration Hub has published the findings of its interviews and listening exercises with employment advisors from across the sub-region.
Produced by independent think-tank, Localis, the report highlights key findings from conversations with frontline staff involved in helping people find work or training opportunities.
⇒ Read the Listening Exercise Report
The findings have laid the foundation for the team’s approach to improving access and inclusivity of employment and skills services in the sub-region, as part of the No Wrong Door (NWD) programme, commissioned by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
With an emphasis on discovering the needs, barriers and aspirations of frontline staff, the research has informed the direction of travel for the Local London Integration Hub.
This includes the development of a sub-regional Local London Standard Framework setting out the level of service that residents should receive regardless of which borough they are in and their point of access.
The Standard Framework will continue to be developed with ongoing dialogue with boroughs, service managers and front-line staff, and embodied in the work of the Integration Hub.
The Listening Exercise report reflects upon the priorities identified in research published by City Hall and The Young Foundation and the similarities with findings from local stakeholder dialogue.
It outlines the primary observations and takeaways from the listening exercises, aligning the struggles of frontline workers with potential follow-up recommendations to address the obstacles to service delivery and ensuring the best possible access to services for residents.
Further rounds of listening exercises will take place annually to ensure the integration hub’s work supports frontline advisors across all nine boroughs in the Local London sub-region to achieve the same high quality of service for people looking for work or upskilling opportunities.
The team will be publishing resources to support frontline employment advisors, businesses and employers, and people looking for work and employment to help more people access the opportunities they are looking for.
Find out more
The Local London Integration Hub
Related news
Read latest news from our Integration Hub.
Building on strong performances year-on-year, our Work and Health Programme is helping thousands of people find work across our boroughs.
The Local London Work and Health Programme provides dedicated support to people who are furthest from the job market to find sustainable employment. Many of the people the programme supports have disabilities or long-term health conditions, are long-term unemployed, or face other complex barriers to finding work.
Despite the challenges these residents face, our 360-support delivered by Maximus UK across our nine member boroughs has helped over 6,700 people, who were a long way from the job market to find work they enjoy.
Our life-changing employment support
Part of a portfolio of programmes we manage on behalf of our boroughs, the Local London Work and Health Programme is transformational for people across our sub-region.
Around 75% of people who were economically inactive prior to joining the programme, between its launch in 2016 and December 2023, have been supported into work or are now job-ready and actively seeking employment.
An indication of the current economic climate, the programme remains in high demand across our nine member boroughs to provide circumstance-changing help to those facing the greatest challenges.
One of these many people is Javid whose dyslexia may have contributed to his difficulties getting interviews (story below) who said “Without the support of the programme I do not believe that I would have been successful in getting back into the retail sector, a sector I love working in.”
Read Javid’s story:
Javid had been working for the same high street retailer for 18 years. The pandemic struck and he was made redundant in 2020. Javid has Dyslexia, and despite his experience and efforts for three years, his applications were not getting him interviews.
Javid joined the Local London Work and Health Programme delivered by Maximus UK in spring 2023. His dedicated keyworker began by setting out a detailed action plan with Javid to get him back into work. This included meeting at Maximus’s offices almost daily for coaching on how to approach the job market, which Javid appreciated.
Very eager to find work, Javid remained positive in the face of setbacks and was encouraged and supported by his key worker. Javid’s keyworker referred him onto relevant fully funded courses to help him gain skills, confidence and find work.
As well as gaining confidence form meeting other people on these courses, Javid was paired with another person on the programme and together they supported each other to improve their English skills and apply for jobs. This had a really positive impact on Javid’s self-esteem and built up his self-belief that he would find employment again.
To complement his new skills and regained confidence, Javid’s keyworker supported him to prepare for interviews, taking into account everything from how he dressed and presented himself, to holding mock interviews to practice answering in those situations. His keyworker even sat in on one of his real interviews to give him the confidence he needed.
Although it took a couple of attempts, the breakthrough finally came. Javid was offered a position in an internationally renown household retailer based in Stratford, London.
Javid said “Without the support of the programme and this positive approach, I do not believe that I would have been successful in getting back into the retail sector, a sector I love working in.”
Find out more
- Find out more: maximusuk.co.uk/london
- Read more news about our Work and Health Programme
Funded by The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and European Social Fund (ESF) up to December 2023, the Local London Work and Health Programme provides up to 21 months support for people who have long-term health conditions and/or disabilities or have been unemployed for 24 months or more.
We work with Maximus to help more people get into and retain good jobs, and manage the programme on behalf of our boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Greenwich, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.