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Youth unemployment continues to rise across many parts of the UK. At the same time, local authorities, colleges, employers and community organisations face increasing pressure to support young people, reduce economic inactivity and help communities adapt to rapid technological change.
We believe it is time for a different conversation. This briefing paper explores a practical community-based approach that views unemployed people not as a cost to be managed, but as a valuable resource that can help create opportunities, strengthen communities and generate economic value. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in employment, skills, workforce development and social inclusion, the paper introduces the Work It Out model and outlines a proposed nationwide pilot across 20 local authority areas. The report challenges some of the traditional assumptions surrounding unemployment and explores new possibilities around AI, community value creation, collaboration, peer support and local action. It asks a simple but important question: What if we stopped creating unemployment programmes and started creating workplaces instead? |
Please download, circulate and discuss this paper with colleagues across your organisation. We welcome conversations with local authorities, colleges, combined authorities, government agencies and community partners interested in exploring the pilot further.
Together we can explore practical ways to reduce welfare dependency, increase participation, strengthen local communities and help more people build sustainable futures. |
What Is Work It Out?
Work It Out is a practical, people-centred approach to helping individuals build their future in a rapidly changing world. Rather than focusing solely on finding jobs, Work It Out helps people identify their strengths, build supportive relationships, create meaningful workpieces, develop confidence, generate income, explore opportunities and contribute positively to their communities.
At its heart, the model is based on kindness, encouragement, collaboration and shared responsibility. Nobody is expected to struggle alone. Participants work together in small groups, helping one another identify opportunities, overcome barriers, build confidence and take practical action.
The aim is not simply to help people find work. The aim is to help people build sustainable futures, together.
Work It Out is a practical, people-centred approach to helping individuals build their future in a rapidly changing world. Rather than focusing solely on finding jobs, Work It Out helps people identify their strengths, build supportive relationships, create meaningful workpieces, develop confidence, generate income, explore opportunities and contribute positively to their communities.
At its heart, the model is based on kindness, encouragement, collaboration and shared responsibility. Nobody is expected to struggle alone. Participants work together in small groups, helping one another identify opportunities, overcome barriers, build confidence and take practical action.
The aim is not simply to help people find work. The aim is to help people build sustainable futures, together.
Work it Out! is part of Diversiton and is non-profit making.
Copyright © Diversiton 2003-2026 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Copyright © Diversiton 2003-2026 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
