Working Well: Support to Succeed: Helping Tessa feel more confident about her future

• The Growth Company delivers the Working Well: Support to Succeed programme across Greater Manchester.
• The programme supports the region's economically inactive residents aged 19 and over into employment, with a dedicated offer for over-50s.
• Find out how it helped Tessa regain her confidence through a series of wellness classes and skills courses.

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Working Well: Support to Succeed engages economically inactive Greater Manchester residents who are not currently accessing support or seeking employment.

The programme includes dedicated support for residents over the age of 50 who are experiencing age-related challenges, such as concerns about returning to work and developing new skills.

Support to Succeed offers person-centred, one-to-one support, focusing on work experience, life skills, employability skills, and wellbeing.

It aims to help people like Tessa overcome complex barriers and achieve their goals.

Wellbeing and Wellness

Tessa joined the Support to Succeed programme because she was unemployed, financially dependent on her husband, and lacked a support network. She was also feeling isolated, suffering from anxiety and depression, and experiencing low self-esteem.

Through Support to Succeed, Tessa attended a puppy yoga class in March which helped her meet new people and boosted her mood. The class also enabled Tessa to connect with people facing similar challenges and was crucial in building her confidence and willingness to engage further.

Following the puppy yoga class, Tessa attended a ‘Prepare to Change’ workshop in April, undertaking guided meditation, which had a transformative impact on her wellbeing, stress management, and personal growth journey. By embracing mindfulness practices, Tessa emerged from the workshop with renewed clarity, resilience, and empowerment.

Digital Skills

Another barrier Tessa faced was her lack of digital skills, which hindered her ability to manage emails, access online services and resources, and find employment. In addition, Tessa didn’t have a laptop, so the Support to Succeed team provided her with one. After attending an IT course in May, Tessa was able to practice the digital skills she learned on her own device.

After completing these courses, Tessa’s confidence and outlook on life has significantly improved. Regular interactions with peers have provided her with a sense of belonging and helped alleviate some feelings of isolation and depression. Her new computer and IT skills have also opened opportunities for communication, information access, and potential employment.

Newfound Confidence

The combination of personal growth and skill development has led Tessa to believe in her ability to achieve personal and professional goals and feel more hopeful about her future.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Tessa said: “Support to Succeed really has helped so much. If you’d have told me in February that I’d be feeling this confident in May, I wouldn’t believe it!

“That’s all down to Support to Succeed and your support. Thank you so much.”

Find Out More

To find out how Working Well: Support to Succeed can help you, visit the programme's website. 

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives.

We help people and businesses across the UK to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Contact us today to find out more. 

Working Well: Support to Succeed is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The city-region's allocation, managed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and delivered by The Growth Company, will provide support for up to 4,500 residents between January 2024 and March 2025.