A major new employment initiative backed by £10 million in government funding has officially launched in York and North Yorkshire, aiming to help thousands of people with health conditions return to or remain in work.
The programme is part of the government’s Get Britain Working Inactivity Trailblazer scheme and sees York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority selected as one of only eight regions to lead the national pilot. Over the next 12 months, the initiative will support 1,500 jobseekers, 500 workers requiring additional help, and 150 local businesses.
The trailblazer will focus on individuals impacted by long-term sickness, particularly in a region where economic inactivity due to health issues has risen 72.2% since 2019 — significantly above the national average. With over 150,000 people in the region currently working while managing long-term conditions, the programme is designed to deliver tailored interventions and test new approaches to employment support.
On Tuesday, Mayor David Skaith visited the first commissioned service under the scheme — Rise2Thrive, delivered by Better Connect, a not-for-profit based in Knaresborough. Skaith said the launch was a vital step towards building “healthy and thriving communities” and praised the region’s strong partnerships and appetite for innovation.
“Government has put their confidence in us to test new ways of working,” he said. “Our delivery will not only benefit York and North Yorkshire, but also help shape national policy.”
Employment Minister Alison McGovern said the initiative was part of the wider Plan for Change to “Get Britain Working”. She added: “For too long, people have been left on the scrapheap and locked out of work. This investment will support people back to health and back to work while helping boost living standards.”
Plans include launching a Work, Health and Skills Interchange — a centralised hub offering advice, resources and signposting for individuals and businesses. It will be supported by a new online platform, and community grants will be available to grassroots organisations developing initiatives aligned with the programme’s goals.
Better Connect CEO Natasha Babar-Evans said the programme would bring together a wide network of VCSE organisations to offer “holistic support” and remove barriers to employment.
“Our focus will include 16–24-year-olds, the over-50s, and those in rural or coastal areas dealing with long-term sickness,” she explained. “We’re proud to be the first live Trailblazer project in York and North Yorkshire and look forward to the impact we can make.”
Referrals will come via health and wellbeing hubs and other regional access points, with a focus on flexible, community-driven support.
The initiative is expected to serve as a blueprint for future employment policy, with learnings from York and North Yorkshire influencing future schemes across the UK.
