Development of  the Work it Out Way

A Brief Chronology

​The Work It Out Way as a methodology and way of being has evolved over the past 30 years through a continual process of learning, development and collaboration across all sectors and a diverse range of situations.
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1992–1999: Recession, Unemployment & Collaborative Training
 
During the UK recession, new ways of combining business training with inclusion emerged (supported by the British Government). Unemployed and employed individuals were brought together to learn, develop careers, and launch enterprises.   Over 10,000 individuals found work every year.
 
A collaborative inclusive training model based upon Work it Out principles was pioneered in the UK (and was later adopted internationally, including by the Albanian and Argentinian governments).

The Work it Out approach also extended into global charitable partnerships, including the creation of The Training Trust (in the UK and US), which mobilised 400+ businesses to support Romanian orphanages  in collaboration with the UK and Romanian governments.

 
1994–2003: Peacebuilding and Inclusion in Northern Ireland
 
Work It Out principles helped shape peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict Northern Ireland. E.U supported initiatives with Local Authorities across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties focussed on dialogue, cross-border collaboration and mutual interest  as  tools for bridging divides.

Projects like PeaceBuilder connected Protestant and Catholic children with young people in Namibia - supported by Senator George Mitchell’s US Fund for Reconciliation and Trinity College Dublin.

The Work it Out collaboration approach contributed to the formation of inclusive, non-contentious cross-border structures, in work for the Irish Government.

 
1999–2010: Inclusion, Diversity and Equality at Work
 
As workplace diversity became a focus, the Work It Out methodology informed the direct training of staff  in over 250 public sector organisations on Section 75 of the Northern Ireland (Equality) Act.

The UK Government co-funded the establishment of Diversiton  (as a not for profit  company) to extend this work globally through licensing programs and so supporting 3,000+ businesses within 3 years. 

This period also saw the creation of the Inclusion Calendar (now widely used globally) along with initiatives supporting disabled workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of racism and hate crime.

 
2011: Publishing the Work It Out Blueprint
 
The core methodology behind Work It Out was formally published as Work It Out! by Hay House. The book served as the blueprint for a practical, global coaching and training model - rooted in purpose, collaboration and kindness.

 
2012–2014: Building Careers and Income
 
Work it Out Workshops rolled out across 20 UK and Irish cities focused on helping individuals build income and careers using the principles and methodology. These local authority partnerships demonstrated how purpose-led models could be delivered at scale and embedded into local communities.

 
2015–2018: Integration and Community Regeneration
 
The Irish Government funded Work It Out delivery in five geographical areas of deprivation, focusing on enterprise creation, refugee integration, poverty reduction and community regeneration. The six-week group process enabled local people to develop their own workpieces,  build from the ground up, generate new income streams, and support one another through shared learning.

 
2018–2020: Income Generation, Sustainability and Self-Funding
 
Work It Out introduced the 'Everlasting Grants' concept to help non-profits and local authorities generate ongoing income to sustain their work. This marked a practical culture shift from dependency to empowerment, aligning community ambition with financial self-reliance.

 
2020–2023: Global Reach, Online Expansion and Licensing
 
Work it Out training workshops expanded globally via Zoom, reaching individuals beyond Europe  - including in the US, Canada, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand and the Philippines.

The Work it Out approach supported over 120 businesses and independent trainers to license their own training and services and so scale and build a global community for their work.

 
2024–2025: A Global Movement Emerges
 
Today, the Work It Out Way is growing as a global community movement. New Meitheal (shared work) groups are forming. The methodology continues to evolve, by impacting fresh perspectives on AI, human collaboration and business transformation.

Recent publications, including Just One Conversation: 20 Perspectives on AI, Work and Business, bring the latest thinking into everyday work.

 
Built Through Action. Open to All.
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The Work It Out Way is a methodology built through decades of action in the real world. From employment and inclusion to community regeneration and global scaling for business, it provides a platform for individual purpose and collective progress. It is available to all who want to build something better.

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