New targeted employment support in Sheffield through Connect to Work

• Sheffield City Council is launching Connect to Work, a new nationwide employment support programme for people with health conditions and disabilities.
• The Growth Company will deliver the programme’s specialist strand for refugees and migrants.
• This builds on our established work in Sheffield and our strong track record in supporting displaced communities into work.

Sheffield City Council is set to launch Connect to Work, a new Department for Pensions and Work-funded programme designed to help residents with health conditions find, stay in, or return to work.

As part of the programme, the Growth Company will deliver a specialist element focused on supporting refugees and migrant, including Ukrainians who have settled in the UK.

This targeted provision will offer tailored one‑to‑one employment support for people facing additional barriers to entering the labour market.

This builds on our successful delivery of Pathways to Work in Sheffield over the past year, which has helped economically inactive residents take steps towards employment.

It also draws on our extensive experience supporting displaced communities through initiatives such as United for Ukraine, the Refugee Employability Programme, and Jobs for Hongkongers.

Beyond the steel city, we deliver Connect to Work in Staffordshire, Stoke‑on‑Trent, and Burnley and the Ribble Valley as part of our wider portfolio of IPS and specialist employability services.

Kate Liddle, service manager at the Growth Company, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering Connect to Work for refugees and migrants in Sheffield.

“This work allows us to continue our commitment to helping people build new lives and secure meaningful employment, while continuing the outstanding success of the Refugee Employability Programme.

“We are fortunate to have an exceptional team member whose lived experience brings invaluable insight to the task at hand. He is ready to begin his role on 1 April, and we are proud to have him supporting participants from day one.”

Find out more about Connect to Work.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 35-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health support across the North of England and beyond.

Learn more about the health and wellbeing support that we deliver.