Economically-inactive people to be encouraged to RISE

A programme has launched in York and North Yorkshire providing specialist support to unemployed individuals who face barriers that significantly impact their ability to engage with employment.

Non-profit organisation Better Connect has secured funding from the UK Government, City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council to run the RISE (Reducing Inequalities, Supporting Employment) programme, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The programme comes at a time when the number of people who are unemployed and aren’t looking for employment – described as economically-inactive individuals – has been increasing.

Natasha Babar-Evans, chief executive at Better Connect said: “In many cases, individuals are facing serious barriers preventing them from accessing employment, such as physical or mental health conditions, debt, caring responsibilities or lacking qualifications. We hope to help as many individuals as we can in the region facing this reality through the RISE programme.”

The RISE programme is a successor to Better Connect’s Action Towards Inclusion programme which ran until June and worked with 2,000 people.

Joe McKenzie, programme manager on the RISE project, added: “We want to encourage anyone in North Yorkshire or York finding themselves in a situation where they are facing barriers to getting into employment or training to get in touch with us.

“Although the programme aims to ultimately help participants move towards a position of employability, the combination of support we’re offering is designed to help improve people’s health and wellbeing, confidence, skills and personal circumstances in their personal lives too.”