Trailblazing the way: stories from Salford Futures (#5)
Salford Futures is a work experience programme designed to help residents who have been out of work reconnect with employment opportunities. The programme offers tailored support through one-to-one mentoring, employability training, and now paid placements through the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) scheme. The goal of Salford Futures is to provide the right support at the right time, helping Salford residents to build confidence, develop skills, and take steps toward sustainable employment.
In this video, we hear from Stephen, a project assistant at Salford CVS, as he shares his inspiring journey back into work after a long period of unemployment. Stephen talks about the challenges he faced moving to a new place, trying a completely different type of role, and rebuilding his confidence. He explains how the programme helped him develop new IT, creative and communication skills, and ultimately discover a job he genuinely enjoys. We also hear from his mentor, Natalie, who reflects on Stephen’s remarkable growth and the positive impact he’s had on the team and the organisation. Their accounts highlight the importance of supportive workplaces and the real difference placements like this can make.
For more information on the Salford Futures programme, email [email protected].
About the author
Salford City Council Communications team