Sheffield employment scheme gives young people a chance to grow

• Young people aged 18 to 24 in Sheffield recently took part in a nine-week pilot designed to build confidence, develop employability skills, and improve their prospects of finding work.

• Delivered by the Growth Company through the Restart Scheme, the programme combined personal development, employability support, employer engagement, and practical experience with local charity Grow UK.

• Many participants reported increased confidence and stronger workplace skills, highlighting the positive impact of hands-on, nature-based learning on their wellbeing and confidence.

A new initiative is helping young people in Sheffield develop the skills and confidence they need to get on the career ladder.

18 to 24-year-olds from the city were recently offered the opportunity to take part in a unique nine-week pilot aimed at boosting their job prospects.

Delivered by the Growth Company through the Restart Scheme, the pilot combined personal and professional development with a practical element overseen by Grow UK, a local charity that works with young adults who are not in employment, education, or training.

Building confidence for the world of work

The first week focused on intuitive thinking skills, from confidence building to challenging negative mindsets.

In weeks two and three, participants received intensive employability support, including guidance on CV writing and interview preparation.

The next couple of weeks were reserved for employer engagement and connections. This entailed meeting employers on-site to learn about different kinds of roles and the expectations of the modern workplace.

Finally, the cohort undertook a four-week placement at Grow UK, giving them hands-on experience with gardening and other nature-based activities.

Planting the seeds of future success

Grow UK’s approach has been shown to increase the wellbeing, social connectedness, and employability of the young people who take part.

One member of the group explained that the programme had boosted their confidence, “especially around communication and teamwork.”

Another reflected on planting a seed in the first week, saying “I didn’t know how to do it before, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment.”

Rebecca Smith, a Restart Scheme service manager, was equally impressed by the outcomes: “It was great to see the positive impact that Grow had on our participants.

“Not only have some of them secured interviews and started work, but we've also seen an increase in their confidence and social skills.”

Sarah Herrett from Grow UK said: “Working with the Growth Company on this project has been wonderful.

“We have been able to give young people more opportunities outdoors, which has had not just an incredible impact on their employability, but also their overall wellbeing, their social relationships, and their mental health.

“We hope we can continue this partnership into 2027 and reach even more young people with Grow Programmes.”

Supporting people into work through the Restart Scheme

Commissioned and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Restart Scheme provides up to a year of tailored, intensive employment support to people who have been on Universal Credit for more than 6 months.

The Growth Company delivers the Restart Scheme in South Yorkshire on behalf of Maximus UK, the lead provider for the region.

Find out more.

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 services across the North of England and beyond.

Learn more about the job support that we deliver.