Greater Manchester Residents Get Employment Boost with Launch of Ground-breaking IPS Programme

• Greater Manchester IPS aims to provide employment support to people in the region who are impacted by severe mental illness.
• The Growth Company will deliver the programme together with Pure Innovations and PossAbilities.
• It will run for three years from April 2024.

A breakthrough Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme will help Greater Manchester residents experiencing mental health problems to recover and find work.

Greater Manchester IPS – which will run for three years from April 2024 – is open to anyone in the region whose employment prospects are impacted by severe mental illness.

A team of dedicated IPS specialists will work to bridge the gap between healthcare and employment, liaising with employers, employees, and jobseekers to sustain employment and seek new pathways into the world of work. This approach will enable clients to feel more confident about the future, positively impacting their everyday life.

The Growth Company will deliver the programme alongside Pure Innovations and PossAbilities.

Individuals can self-refer or be referred by Community Hub Teams working closely on the programme. These teams will encourage stakeholders in key sectors – including local government, healthcare, and the commercial industry – to champion the IPS mission.

Alex Howley, operations director at the Growth Company, said: “We are committed to providing person-centred, tailored support to help people into sustained employment while recognising and supporting their individual needs.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners to deliver the Greater Manchester IPS programme, an invaluable service that will break down barriers to employment faced by individuals experiencing mental health issues.”

Pure Innovation’s chief executive officer, Louise Parrott-Bates, commented: “Pure Innovations has a long history of successful partnership work and we’re delighted to team up with the Growth Company and PossAbilities, who collectively bring a wealth of experience supporting those most in need across the North West.

“We know that employment can lead to a healthy, ambitious life and our shared vision will ensure the right support is in place to fulfil this.”

Rachel Law, chief executive officer for PossAbilities, added: “Finding and sustaining work is one of the best things people can do when living with mental ill health.

“We are proud that we have been able to support people to do this over recent years, and excited about accelerating this work with our partners Pure Innovations and the Growth Company.”

Find Out More and Get In Touch

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to generate growth, create jobs, and improve lives. We provide employment services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Get in touch today to find out more.