European Social Fund (ESF) case study - NIACRO Working Well
Working Well is a project delivered by NIACRO in partnership with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The project, which supports people who have offended to progress towards the Labour Market, is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
Working Well
Working Well’s focus is on supporting participants to move into training, education or employment (as appropriate), offering opportunities for building confidence, employability skills and undertaking relevant qualifications. Interview preparation, work taster sessions and placements are also important elements.
The Project also works with employers, Further Education colleges and training providers to increase awareness of the needs of people with convictions and to support compliance with legislation regarding disclosure of convictions.
Participant's story
The following is a participant’s story, told by the Working Well staff who supported him on the programme.
When the participant started the programme, his focus was on training and working on his employability.
We have supported him with completing an up-to-date CV and a disclosure letter detailing circumstances behind his conviction.
The participant has since enrolled on Essential Skills ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and Literacy classes in a local college, where he is engaging well and is enjoying the opportunity of meeting new people and socialising while learning.
He has an additional barrier of a mild learning disability, but is not letting this stop him. The participant’s confidence levels have improved and this has been noted by his Probation support officer.