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inspire
Inspire was a life coaching and employment support project working with long-term unemployed people with convictions, to help them overcome barriers to securing sustainable employment.
Where?
Tees Valley
Age Range:
18+
Funded By:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
About The Project
Inspire was an innovative life coaching and employment support project designed to help long-term unemployed people with convictions overcome barriers to work and rebuild confidence in their future.
Recognising that many people face challenges that extend far beyond finding a job, Inspire combined accredited life coaching with practical employability support, employer engagement, work placements, volunteering opportunities and specialist signposting. The project worked with each participant as an individual, helping them identify their goals, develop their strengths and take positive steps towards sustainable employment.
Support was tailored to individual circumstances and delivered over a period of up to ten weeks through one-to-one coaching, group workshops, training sessions and ongoing contact via telephone, text and email. Participants received help with CV development, job searching, applications and interview preparation, as well as advice on managing the disclosure of offending histories to potential employers.
For many participants, barriers to employment extended beyond skills and experience. Inspire provided practical support to address wider challenges including housing instability, financial hardship, transport difficulties, confidence issues, access to training, digital skills and employer perceptions surrounding convictions. By taking a holistic and person-centred approach, the project helped individuals overcome obstacles that might otherwise have prevented them from progressing.
The impact of the project demonstrated the value of this approach. Over a nine-month period, Inspire supported 49 learners with convictions, secured 15 work placements, and helped 14 participants progress into sustained employment lasting at least 12 weeks. Alongside these employment outcomes, participants achieved a range of personal milestones including securing stable accommodation, gaining qualifications, accessing volunteering opportunities, rebuilding family relationships and improving their overall wellbeing and confidence.
Through a combination of encouragement, practical support and belief in people's potential, Inspire helped participants move beyond their past and take positive steps towards a more stable and independent future.
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Project Partners and Funders
Our Approach
At the heart of Inspire was a belief that everyone has the potential to make positive changes in their lives when given the right support, opportunities and encouragement.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, Inspire worked alongside each participant to understand their individual circumstances, aspirations and challenges. Support was shaped around personal goals, recognising that the journey towards employment looks different for everyone.
Many participants had experienced long periods of unemployment and faced significant obstacles that had affected their confidence and self-belief. Through regular one-to-one life coaching sessions, participants were encouraged to identify their strengths, explore future ambitions and take practical steps towards achieving them. By focusing on what people could achieve rather than their past experiences, Inspire helped participants build confidence, resilience and motivation for the future.
Employability Support
Alongside life coaching, participants received hands-on support to help them progress towards employment. This included assistance with CVs, applications, job searching, interview preparation and accessing training opportunities.
Where barriers existed, support extended beyond employability to help individuals navigate the practical challenges affecting their progress. This could include accessing housing support, resolving benefit issues, developing digital skills, securing transport for interviews or connecting with specialist services.
Inspire worked proactively with employers, training providers and community organisations to help participants access opportunities that matched their skills, experience and aspirations. This included arranging work placements, identifying volunteering opportunities, supporting access to qualifications and helping participants communicate their skills and experiences positively to potential employers.
While employment was an important goal, Inspire recognised that lasting change often begins with smaller steps. For some participants, success meant securing work. For others, it meant finding stable accommodation, completing training, gaining confidence, accessing volunteering opportunities or becoming better prepared for future employment. By taking a holistic approach and focusing on long-term progress, Inspire helped participants build the foundations for greater independence, stability and wellbeing.