£700k Funding to Support Leeds Residents Into Employment

November 5, 2025 Off By

New programme aims to assist over 500 people facing health-related work barriers

Leeds City Council has announced over £700,000 in funding to support local organisations in helping people who are economically inactive due to health reasons to find employment. The initiative is designed to provide pre-employment support, including training and health management, to residents facing various health challenges.

Scope and beneficiaries of the funding

The funding will be managed by Leeds City Council’s employment and skills service and is expected to assist more than 500 residents. Seventeen voluntary community and social enterprise organisations have been awarded grants to deliver tailored support for individuals with a range of health conditions. These include mental health issues, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions, as well as disabilities such as learning disabilities.

The programme focuses on integrating health support with employment services to help participants overcome barriers and progress towards sustainable work opportunities.

Examples of funded projects

Aphasia Support: This organisation supports people with aphasia, a language disorder often resulting from stroke or head injury. The project will assist 24 individuals to improve communication skills and move closer to employment or volunteering roles.
LATCH: LATCH renovates rundown houses to provide accommodation for homeless or vulnerable people. Their sites also offer practical training in trades such as joinery, kitchen fitting, and tiling, alongside soft skills like timekeeping and teamwork. The funding will enable LATCH to deliver one-to-one coaching and construction skills training to people with health conditions and those facing significant barriers to work.

Funding background and local government comments

The funding forms part of the Government’s trailblazer programme and is administered through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board under the Healthy Working Life programme.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said the programme aligns with the city’s goals to tackle poverty and inequality and improve quality of life across communities. He emphasised the importance of supporting residents from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential.

Ruth Frost, Fundraising and Communications Manager at LATCH, highlighted that the funding will enable the organisation to provide practical skills training and personalised support to help people re-enter the labour market.