Positive Progressions
Building Better Opportunities
What is Positive Progressions?
Positive Progressions is a project which is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The project is being delivered in Selby, Craven, Harrogate, York and the rural villages around these areas. Our partners are Craven and Harrogate District Citizens Advice Bureau, Home-Start Craven, City of York Council, and North Yorkshire Adult Learning and Skills Service.
What does it do?
The Positive Progressions project wants to work with individuals and families in the community who are economically inactive or unemployed, helping them to overcome barriers and move closer towards employment and training. Some of the services the project can offer include help to:
Put together a CV and look for jobs
Manage finances
Gain more skills and training
Improve health and wellbeing
Take up volunteering and mentoring opportunities
Videos – Find out more
Case studies
“Positive Progressions can help even during a pandemic”
“I suffered from anxiety and Positive Progressions sounded just what I needed. My Keyworker was friendly, not judgemental and let me talk about my feelings. I like working with children but didn’t have any qualifications, and I was very nervous about doing courses. My Keyworker used to be a nursery manager and offered lots of advice. I completed courses in First Aid, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Food Hygiene. I loved doing the courses, the atmosphere and tutors were really friendly. I realised that I could achieve anything if I put my mind to it! My Keyworker helped me complete my college course application. I am now doing a Level 3 Childcare course. I was being supported by a domestic abuse organisation and wanted to give something back because they had helped me so much. I’m now an active volunteer with them. Positive Progressions never gave up on me, even when I was anxious, especially during the Summer Lockdown. They made sure my family and me were OK and we had socially distanced meetings in the park. They gave me the confidence to continue studying and were always there to support me.”
Joanne Smith, Positive Progressions Participant
“I realised that I could achieve anything if I put my mind to it!”
“I joined Positive Progressions in August 2020 and had socially distanced meetings with my Keyworker in the local park. She arranged for me to speak to a wellbeing councillor to build up my confidence. I also spoke with the Citizens Advice Bureau for financial help. My son has additional needs and my Keywork supported me with appointments with his school and speech and language therapists. My confidence grew and my dream goal was to run my own copywriting and proofreading company. I completed 3 courses about becoming self-employed through Craven College. It was the first time I had been in a classroom since school! My Keyworker arranged for some proofreading experience and I was given some great feedback. I started Positive Progressions feeling demotivated and with very low confidence. But I set myself achievable goals and now I have my own business and website. I’ve achieved my dreams of being my own boss! It’s so nice to have someone there for support and someone who believes in you.”
Hannah Howie, Positive Progressions Participant