Manchester City Council

Work, jobs, training and advice Manchester’s Economic Activity Trailblazer Programme

What is the Economic Activity Trailblazer?

The Economic Inactivity Trailblazer is a new ‘test and learn’ programme designed to provide holistic and integrated support from community-based health and employment support services to move residents into/towards employment. It is part of the Greater Manchester ‘Get Britain Working’ Trailblazers, one of eight national pilot projects.

Manchester’s Trailblazer – known as the Economic Activity Trailblazer - is designed for residents with long term sickness, disability, ill health (physical and/or mental), and/or caring responsibilities.

There are two strands of delivery for the programme: Strand 1 delivery will be led by VCFSE organisations in community settings; Strand 2 will be delivered by The Growth Company within Manchester Foundation Trust for patients accessing clinical services.

What is the background/context of the Economic Activity Trailblazer?

Led by the UK Government and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Economic Activity Trailblazer aims to identify and address barriers to employment faced by those who are not currently economically active, including those with health conditions, caring responsibilities, or experiencing other barriers to moving closer to or entering employment.  The overall intention of the Trailblazer is to reduce economic inactivity through localised joined-up support.

The programme involves local authorities working with Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to test innovative models of delivery to reach and engage residents who might not ordinarily access employment support.

In Manchester, the programme will help over 650 residents with a budget of £1million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

What does the Economic Activity Trailblazer offer? 

Manchester’s Economic Activity Trailblazer offers person-centred, holistic support to help residents move into/towards employment. Participants can access:

  • One-to-one support from an allocated Key Worker
  • Support to build confidence and identify personal goals through a co-designed Action Plan
  • Guidance with CVs, job searching and training
  • Referrals to specialist services such as ESOL, mental/physical health, housing or financial advice

Who can join the Economic Activity Trailblazer? 

The Economic Activity Trailblazer is for:

  1. residents of the City of Manchester Find your local council - GOV.UK
  2. who are aged between 16-64; and
  3. have recourse to public funds; and
  4. who have the right to work in the UK; and
    • are not in employment; and/or
    • have not sought work in the last four weeks; and/or
    • are not available to start work in the next two weeks.

How is the Economic Activity Trailblazer delivered? 

Support is delivered by the following VCSE organisations:

  • Alchemy Arts in collaboration with Pathways CIC
  • Back on Track
  • Booth Centre
  • Manchester Digital in collaboration with Pathways CIC
  • North Manchester Community Partnership in collaboration with Wai Yin Society
  • Wythenshawe Community Housing Group in collaboration with Pathways CIC
  • YES Manchester in collaboration with Rainbow Haven
  • The Growth Company (working within Manchester Foundation Trust)

How to get involved

The Economic Activity Trailblazer is a voluntary programme. Accessing the support offered will not affect your benefits or any other support you receive.

 If you are interested in taking part in the programme, contact details for the organisations delivering the programme can be found below:

  • Alchemy Arts
    • Key elements: This culturally appropriate programme blends creative health engagement with digital skills, employability coaching, and volunteer placements. It supports those with ill health or caring responsibilities to identify suitable employment pathways.
    • Contact:
  • Back on Track:
    • Key elements: Designed for residents facing long-term health issues including those with criminal records and/or experiencing homelessness or substance misuse. This offer includes life skills, catering and digital training, as well as wellbeing activities. One-to-one support running alongside courses and activities to help build confidence and create lasting change.
    • Contact:
  • Booth Centre:
    • Key elements: A diverse programme offering wellbeing, sports and social activities, as well as supported work placements and volunteering opportunities. The programme is aimed at people experiencing challenges including, but not limited to, homelessness, poverty, trauma, isolation and neurodivergence.
    • Contact:
  • Manchester Digital:
    • Key elements: This programme supports STEM graduates with mild to moderate mental health challenges, disabilities, or neurodiversity. It focuses on developing technical and professional skills for digital careers, offering workplace experiences and employer engagement, all with integrated wellbeing support through a partnership with Pathways CIC.
    • Contact:
      • Tel: 0161 238 8642
      • Web: https://www.manchesterdigital.com/
      • Contact email: charlotte@manchesterdigital.com
      • Contact email: emma@manchesterdigital.com
  • North Manchester Community Partnership
    • Key elements: A six-week work experience programme featuring bilingual staff, digital skills projects, breathwork, and support for carers. It caters to individuals with health issues or caring responsibilities, with female-only provision available via Wai Yin and other partner organisations.
    • Contact:
      • Tel: 07712633654 
      • Tel: 07307206013 
      • Email: hello@nmcp.org.uk 
      • Web: https://www.nmcp.org.uk/ 
  • Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
    • Key elements: This programme helps individuals with health conditions and/or caring duties overcome employment barriers. It offers personalised guidance, volunteering opportunities, employer connections, and mental health support through Pathways CIC and other partners.
    • Contact:
  • YES Manchester:
    • Key elements: A 20-day accredited construction programme based in Collyhurst (Collyhurst Construction Skills Centre), featuring employer links, OT support, pre-ESOL, and childcare. It’s tailored for individuals with ill health or disabilities and those with caring responsibilities, delivered in partnership with Rainbow Haven.
    • Contact:
      • Tel: 0161 260 1600
      • Email: yesinfo@yesmanchester.co.uk
      • Web: https://www.yesmanchester.org/contact-us
  • The Growth Company (working within Manchester Foundation Trust)
    • Updated contact information will be published soon.

Contact us 

For more information about the Economic Activity Trailblazer, please email work.skills.admin@manchester.gov.uk 

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