Opportunity Sheffield has commissioned seven new employability projects across the city to support a variety of residents.
The following projects commence delivery on Monday 2 June 2025 and run to Tuesday 31 March 2026:
Endeavour
Endeavour will deliver an employment support project for economically inactive and unemployed individuals in Sheffield, with a focus on those interested in practical, outdoor, and alternative (non-office/retail) roles.
The project will support two core groups:
- Young people aged 16–25 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), at risk or disengaged.
- Young adults and adults (18+) transitioning from supported housing or rehabilitation programmes.
Group activities include confidence-building through conservation work (e.g. path maintenance, drystone walling) and outdoor skills (e.g. navigation) promoting wellbeing, resilience and employability.
A Mind Apart
A Mind Apart will support out-of-work 16-25 year olds who are looking for opportunities to break into the creative sector.
Core activities include: detailed CV writing and job application assistance, practical interview techniques and simulated interview practice to build confidence, development of practical skills through targeted workshops, and comprehensive business development support for participants interested in self-employment.
Olympia Fitness
Olympia Wellbeing Academy CIC will deliver the Street 2 Success employment support project for NEET young people aged 16 to 25, using a Bootcamp and peer mentorship model.
This is a free 12-week programme of fitness, body building and life coaching aimed at helping young people challenge themselves, grow and find employment.
The sessions are run out of sites in Kelham and Park Hill.
Together for Sheffield
Together for Sheffield will be running the Ascend project, which has been supporting young people to connect with employers in Sheffield over the last year. Over 75% of the young adults who have completed Ascend to date are now in full-time work and helping their employers succeed.
The project offers young adults:
- The opportunity for genuine work experience followed by the chance of a part-time job.
- A dedicated mentor based in Sheffield.
- Fortnightly training on all aspects of work, including soft skills and character development.
The Progress Group
The Progress Group will be running Bridges – a five-step, person-centred employability programme delivered through in-person-engagement, supporting economically inactive NEET young people aged 16–25 across Sheffield.
The project is designed to engage hidden NEETs – young people disconnected from mainstream services who require targeted outreach, confidence-building, and flexible, community-based support to access work.
Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme
Sheffield Wednesday will support young people aged 16–24 in Sheffield who are NEET. This group encompasses:
- School leavers who have not transitioned into further education or work
- Care leavers and young carers
- Young people with mental health challenges or special educational needs
- Individuals from low-income households
The project aims to use the power of football and the SWFC brand to engage, inspire, and support individuals to achieve their potential.
Offploy
Offploy will provide an employment support service for out-of-work residents, with a particular (albeit not exclusive) focus on jobseekers who have been in the criminal justice system.
Key activities during the project will includes:
- confidence-building sessions
- employment support to include CV highlighting transferable skills, a cover letter which can be tailored to individual opportunities
- digital awareness to enable access to online job boards
- interview preparation and mock interviews.
Eligibility Criteria
You can refer a participant if they:
- live in South Yorkshire
- are out-of-work
- are aged 16+
- have the right to live and work in the UK.
To make a referral, send the participant’s name and contact details to: opportunity@sheffield.gov.uk or call: 0114 229 6188
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