Now for an Upturn in job prospects for the over 50’s
Greater Manchester good concern Upturn is about to tackle one of the most worrying problems in our society – unemployment in older men.
Rising long-term joblessness in the over 50’s has created a “lost generation” of potential workers who also contend with wilting wellbeing, decreasing health and a growing sense of displacement – says the social enterprise.
But the hopeful news is that a programme that has transformed the lives of groups at the margins of society is now coming their way.
Published today, their second-year report on a Reaching Communities funded programme shows that 259 of the hardest to reach people in Oldham and Rochdale have received life coach support, employment training and highly personalised mentoring.
Additionally:
- 251 of these have reported increased self-esteem
- 85 say they now have better mental health
- 54 have moved onto further education or vocational training and,
- 175 have found employment
But far from resting on the laurels of these impressive figures, Upturn is now targeting potentially tougher groups including care leavers, ex-prisoners and the over 50’s.
“The secret of our success has been to bring hope to people, rather than wait for them to access it” said Maria Williams, HR Director for Upturn. “It is also about building-up trust and giving people the confidence to take control of their lives. When we first engage with them, they are often disillusioned, disadvantaged and disengaged.”
The package of care includes developing career paths, offering benefits and debt advice, signposting to volunteering and work placement opportunities and, using people who had been through similar experiences as aspirational real-life ambassadors.
One beneficiary was John (not his real name) who faced significant personal barriers, including being unable to read or write. His mum had terminal cancer, forcing John to move out of the family home to care for her. He felt there was no future employment for him, and he had no confidence or self-worth. John is now training to be a plasterer, has seen a huge improvement in his mental health and is getting support from his employer to overcome debt issues – and make sure the bills get paid.
Building a community of friendly businesses, organising debt advice surgeries, and utilising experts to help people start-up new businesses are amongst the plans for the future. With the addition of a new camper van, Hope on Wheels, Upturn is also set to be more mobile taking their message out to coffee mornings and other community hubs.
“There are 200,000 over 50’s who are currently unemployed and over 37% have been out of work for over a year” concluded Maria. “We recognise that some people from this group have significant and additional needs, which include poor access to mental health, spiralling debt, a benefits system which fails to incentivise, physical health needs and a sense they are no longer wanted.
We aim to change that and call on businesses, local authorities, statutory organisations and indeed the rest of society to help us bring work and hope to a treasured generation.”
