Local organisations are being invited to an event that will showcase how they can support a new Cumbria-wide scheme that will help people with complex needs get into employment.
Connect to Work is a new government-funded programme to break down barriers to employment.
Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are collaborating through Enterprising Cumbria on the new initiative which is set to launch in January 2026.
Organisations interested in helping the councils’ to deliver Connect to Work are invited to attend an in-person market engagement event on Friday 18 July, between 10am and 12.30pm in Carlisle.
Attendees will receive an overview of the programme’s aims, delivery model and commissioning approach. Participation is welcomed from local, regional and national organisations working in employment, skills, health and wellbeing and related sectors.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, encouraged organisations to attend. He said:
“By joining forces with us, you will not only help transform lives but also contribute to the growth and productivity of our local economy. Connect to Work is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy and we are hoping to reach around 3,000 people across Cumbria over the duration of the programme.”
Westmorland and Furness Council Leader, Cllr Jonathan Brook, is a keen supporter of the initiative and believes it has real potential to help people across Cumbria.
He said:
“This will really help those facing greater disadvantage to stay in work and to get back to work. We hope to see local people joining the scheme and realising their potential and also to help our employers to find talented new staff.”
Enterprising Cumbria Programme Director, Isobel Brown added:
“We are looking forward to getting Connect to Work launched in Cumbria. We are keen to meet a wide range of organisations at the market engagement event as we know there are many excellent providers out there who will help us make Connect to Work a success.”
Organisations interested in attending are asked to complete the Registration Form by emailing CumbriaCTW@Cumbria.gov.uk