Hundreds more people helped by Work and Health Programme Pioneer

Hundreds of people are receiving support through Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer, part of the Government-funded specialist employment support for people in Wales, London and Southern Region who are looking for work. 

Local London has been working with Maximus and JCP to improve collaboration, and month-on-month ensuring the programme reached the residents who needed its support.

Among the many people who have been supported through the programme, are Marcus and Pete. You can read their stories below.

Marcus is thriving with coffee and art

 Marcus referred onto Local London Work and Health Programme Pioneer in December 2023 and started the programme in January 2024. Prior to starting, Marcus had been unemployed for 3 years and had attempted to study at university. 

When Marcus joined Pioneer, he identified his major barriers as being his learning disability and symptoms of depression which made rejections really difficult and often caused him to feel listless. 

Helping Marcus to follow through on his goals

Straight away Marcus’ advisor began working with him to identify his interests and environments that would fit his mental health needs. Together they worked on developing his CV, interviewing skills, and overall confidence, helping to push Marcus to follow through on his goals. His advisor also introduced Marcus to ‘Well Grounded’, a training provider specifically oriented to the coffee industry and barista work.

In the same month as starting on Pioneer, Marcus began his course at Well Grounded. In May, after successfully completing his course, Marcus was placed into a coffee shop to put his skills into practice. During this time, his advisor continued to support him and liaised on his behalf to find a solution with Well Grounded when a difficulty arose regarding the location of his role.

Starting a full-time, permanent role he loves

In July 2024, Marcus started his first full-time, permanent contract at a coffee shop at the Royal Opera House. Marcus is thrilled with his new role as it provides generous benefits, is in a field he loves, and he has a schedule that works best for him. He sees this current opportunity as the start of what he hopes to be a long and successful career.

In addition to his recent full-time contract, Marcus has also been encouraged to continue his own artistic pursuits and has successfully sold several pieces in the time he’s been working with Maximus. Marcus has recently been invited to take part in an art showcase, where he will have even more opportunities to display and sell his artwork.

Marcus’ mother said “The support Marcus has received from Maximus UK has really changed his life. Marcus is so much happier now because he had people who listened and believed in his abilities.

I was initially worried that Pioneer would just be a programme that focused on putting people wherever, but that wasn’t the case at all. I’m so grateful to everyone who worked with Marcus and gave him the encouragement he needed.”

Pete’s confidence has been restored

Pete joined WHP Pioneer looking for help finding work, this is what he said:

“I joined WHP Pioneer, hoping for the guidance needed to secure employment.

When I joined, my assigned employer advisor from Maximus reviewed my CV and helped me prepare for interviews. Repeated rejections impacted my confidence, and travel costs for interviews were challenging. But my advisor’s continuous support and encouragement rebuilt my confidence, and financial support for travel for interviews was a relief.

With Maximus’s help, I secured a new job. My advisor’s consistent check-ins ensured I was happy and doing well, boosting my confidence.

Overall, the support has been transformative, helping me find employment and restoring my confidence in my abilities.”

Find out more about the WHP Pioneer programme