EMPLOYABILITY END OF YEAR REPORT 2025/26
Project: Rise2Thrive & Trailblazer
Overview
We continued to be a delivery partner on the Rise2Thrive programme which aimed to provide intensive holistic support on a one-to-one basis, to improve customers’ health, confidence, skills and circumstances towards a place where they can thrive. In doing so, we helped enhance personal wellbeing and improved career prospects.
Alongside Rise2Thrive, we also delivered a new programme called Trailblazer. This was designed to support customers in new and innovative ways, helping to better their individual circumstances.
Both programmes included:
- Mindful monday session
- One-to-one support
- Wellbeing walks
- Counselling
- Training and development
- Confidence building session.
New customers received support from their employment support worker
People were supported to participate in education on Rise2Thrive
People were supported to access mainstream services on Trailblazer
- Case study - Finley's journey
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Background
Finlay joined the programme in September 2025. At the time, he was looking for support with his mental health and social isolation. He was spending a lot of time alone in his room, on his computer, and wanted more structure in his life. One of his main goals was to build his confidence and eventually find a voluntary or paid role in the retail or hospitality sector.
Finlay also lives with muscular dystrophy, which can sometimes make it more difficult for him to get around. Despite this, he showed great determination throughout his time on the programme.
Support
Finley first started attending our Mindful Monday sessions, where clients take part in relaxing activities such as mindful colouring, foil art and cross-stitching- he quickly became a regular at these sessions. When Finley first joined, he was quiet, shy and unsure of himself, but he kept attending and gradually began to feel more comfortable. Over time, he started joining in conversations more and building relationships with others.
Finlay also took part in other activities, including forest bathing sessions. Although the forest paths could sometimes be difficult for him, he attended every session. Each time he came along, his confidence continued to grow.
One of Finlay’s biggest achievements was attending a rock-climbing session. He complete the climbing wall not once, but twice – this was a huge personal achievement for him.
Outcomes
As Finlay’s time on the programme was coming to an end, we spoke about his future goals. Because of his interest in hospitality, we made a referral to Yorkshire in Business, where he will enrol on a hospitality programme to help him progress closer to work in that sector.
When speaking about his experience on the programme, Finlay said it has helped his confidence massively. One of the most noticeable changes he shared was that he used to stutter when speaking, but now the stutter has completely gone thanks to the confidence the programme has given him.
Finlay has made huge progress since joining the programme. From starting out as a quiet and unsure individual, he has grown into someone who is more confident, social and motivated to work towards his future goals.
- Rise2Thrive and Trailblazer demographic data
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Category Sub-category Count Percentage Total customers 41 100% Gender Male 27 66% Female 14 34% Age 15–25 10 24% 25–49 20 49% 50+ 8 20% Prefer not to say 3 7% Ethnicity BAME 2 5% Disability Disability 10 24%
