A major programme to help people in York and North Yorkshire with health conditions return to work has begun. As announced by the government, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been chosen as one of eight areas to lead a Get Britain Working Inactivity Trailblazer. A £10 million, 12-month programme has been developed, which will build on work already taking place in the region and test new ideas, running to March 2026.

Priorities for the programme

The top three priorities for the programme in York and North Yorkshire are to:

• Engage and support people out of work due to ill health
• Work with employers to help them provide good work opportunities
• Develop ways in which networks of systems and services can be joined up to make it easier for people.

While ill health is the main focus, activity will also touch upon other barriers to people not able to get work, such as their age, low skills or long-term unemployment.

The programme aims to help 1,500 people seeking work, 500 people already in work who need support and 150 businesses.

What’s coming up

We are working closely with our local authorities, North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council and the Integrated Care Board to develop and enhance local delivery.

Plans for the programme include providing community grants for organisations to deliver initiatives, developing a range of business support for employers and establishing a Work, Health and Skills Interchange. The interchange will offer advice and sources of support for individuals and employers, as well as a new online resource connecting people to the support they need to secure work.

Activity in York and North Yorkshire will also be used by government to help inform future employment initiatives in other parts of the country.

How to keep updated

Further updates on how the programme is developing and details of programmes as they launch will be posted on this page, our newsletter and social media channels.