Supported employment service is making a difference for residents with barriers to work

Participants from the Salford Supported Employment Service have recently shared their personal experiences of moving closer to work with the help of the programme. Their stories highlight the impact of tailored support, confidence-building activities, and meaningful volunteering opportunities.

The service offers participants up to ten months of pre-work support and in-work assistance, ensuring success and fulfilment for those facing barriers to traditional employment pathways. The service has seen strong outcomes in recent months, with 55 participants starting their first jobs. 10% of participants had never worked before joining the programme, and 31% of participants had been unemployed for over a year, with a significant proportion identifying as autistic or having learning disabilities.

Joseph, a participant, said of the key workers who run the service, 

I just appreciate how they’ve gone out of their way to ensure that I get what I need when I need it. And I just couldn’t thank them enough.”

The testimonies are backed by a range of recent pre-work support activities that show how the service is helping people build confidence and skills in real-world settings. Participants recently visited the Little Nest Rescue Farm in Cadishead for a day, before they were due to start volunteering there the following week. The visit provided not only physical activities but also a chance for participants to open up and engage more confidently with an employer.

Other volunteering placements have included the Society for Abandoned Animals curiosity shop, where one participant is now thriving in a routine-based role. The team is now exploring practical support for the participant, such as providing wellies and even a bike to help the participant travel to their new job.
The service also hosts discovery days at various workplaces, comprising facility tours, Q&A sessions with staff, and breakout activities like designing a neurodivergent-friendly questionnaire and planning a community event.

Group support sessions are also expanding, with new monthly pre-employability workshops focusing on workplace readiness, including hygiene and dress codes. Additional sessions cover job searching, health and wellbeing.

The service will continue to support residents who are already on-programme into employment until March 2026.