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Inspira recently delivered a three-week targeted employability programme in Barrow, designed to support individuals into roles within the health and care sector. Developed in partnership with the NHS and local care providers including Risedale, Twilight, and Westmorland and Furness Council (Parkview Gardens) , the programme offered structured training, work placements, and guaranteed interviews, creating direct pathways into employment.
Five individuals took part, none of whom were in full-time employment. Some faced barriers to work, including:
None of the participants had recent experience in health and care work, with some had never working in the sector at all.
The programme began with an induction day that focused on understanding the care sector. Participants explored job roles, identified required skills, and discussed transferable qualities such as empathy, communication, and resilience. This session was particularly valuable for those who doubted their suitability for care work. Realising they already possessed relevant skills helped boost confidence and shift mindsets.
Participants completed the Level 2 Award in Customer Service in a Health and Social Care Setting. Over five days, the participants looked at the values that underpin care; the 6 Cs, the 10 Dignity Do’s, and tackled practical tasks that mirrored real-life scenarios.
The course also covered other areas from legislation to handling difficult situations.
The group especially enjoyed the section on individual needs, learning how to support people with autism, mental health conditions, and sensory loss. It wasn’t just theory; it was a window into the lives they hoped to improve.
Digital engagement was embedded throughout. Daily quizzes via QR codes reinforced learning and built confidence with technology. One participant, Delean, who initially struggled with digital tools, reported feeling much more confident by the end, a key development for her future role.
The next stage the programme included site tours, at Risedale and Parkview Gardens, followed by two days of work experience at Furness General Hospital.
Participants were able to choose departments based on interest, including:
An interactive session on hand hygiene demonstrated how easily bacteria can spread, reinforcing the importance of infection control. These experiences helped participants clarify their career preferences and gain insight into real-world care environments.
With guaranteed interviews built into the programme, the day before was dedicated to interview readiness. Topics included:
Mock interviews with the NHS were held the following morning, followed by formal interviews with Risedale, Twilight, and Westmorland and Furness Council in the afternoon.
All five participants successfully received job offers and are currently awaiting DBS clearance before starting their new roles.
“I really enjoyed the qualification. It was a lot of information and writing, but I'd never worked in a care setting before. Gaining all that knowledge made me feel a lot more confident about going into care.
“Lauren provided us with lots of support and made the course really fun.”
Aaron
Course Participant
This programme demonstrated how targeted support, practical training, and structured pathways can effectively transition individuals into meaningful employment. Inspira’s approach combining sector insight, accredited learning, and employer engagement delivered tangible outcomes for participants and local care providers alike.
This project was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.