I support someone who needs help to find or stay in work.
You know your community. We’re here to help.
If you work in the community, you’re already doing amazing work to help people overcome challenges. Whether you’re a community group, charity, health service, or other support organisation, referring someone to Connect to Work can help them into employment.
We work with adults who are:
● Out of work and want to find a job
● In work but struggling to maintain work
● Living with a health condition, disability, or other barriers
● Looking for one-to-one support to build confidence and take the next step
As we begin rolling out Connect to Work across Lancashire, our goal is to offer the highest quality support to everyone who wants to get involved.
To ensure we deliver this effectively, we’re taking a phased approach and expanding the service over the next few months. This means that, initially, some individuals or areas may not receive the full level of support straight away.
We’re working hard to reach every community, and we expect to have the full offer of support in place soon.
Our team of friendly Employment Specialists can:
Meet people where they are – in the community, at home, in a safe space, or online
Match individuals to a job that meets their wants and needs
Support people in work to help them stay and thrive
Work alongside health and care teams to offer joined-up support
By referring someone to Connect to Work, you’re helping them:
● Get personalised support
● Build skills and confidence
● Find and keep a job that works for them
● Improve their wellbeing and independence
Connect to Work supports people who need intensive support to find and stay in work. This could be due to a disability, long-term health condition or having multiple barriers to employment. Participants can get one-to-one support for up to 12 months from expert Employment Specialists.
WorkWell supports people with mild physical or mental health problems to get back into work or stay in work. They offer short-term support from specialist coaches for those who need a little extra help.
People who have a severe mental health condition can get help to find paid work through IPS. Support is available for those who want to work but whose mental health has a significant impact on their lives.
This is a free one-to-one service funded by the NHS. Support is available for people living anywhere in Lancashire or South Cumbria.
Talking Therapies is a free NHS service designed to support individuals experiencing anxiety, stress or low mood, including OCD, PTSD and panic disorders. They offer different types of therapy depending on the support needed.
Individuals can self-refer and talk to someone via phone, online or in person. Employment Advisors work alongside therapists to assist individuals in returning to work or maintaining their current employment.
Social Prescribers support individuals in finding community-based resources to improve their health and wellbeing. They take time to understand what matters to each person and can connect them with activities, groups or services such as exercise classes, mental health support, or assistance with financial and housing issues. They can also help people access support related to employment or skills development.
Although this support is not medical, it can have a significant positive impact on day-to-day wellbeing. To learn more, individuals are encouraged to speak with their GP or search online for available services.
Still not sure? Escalate is a simple tool designed to help individuals who are unsure about the type of support they need. It connects people who are not currently working with appropriate services in their local area.
This support may include help with job searching, developing new skills or accessing other relevant resources.
Our programme of Skills Bootcamps has been refreshed for 2025/26! Choose from over 50 training courses to turbo-boost your career. Find Out More