About Connect to Work
If you live in Stoke-on-Trent and face challenges finding or staying in work due to health conditions or other barriers, Connect to Work can help. This programme is delivered by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and funded by the government. Connect to Work is designed to support people in gaining long-term, sustainable employment, developing new skills, and improving overall health and wellbeing. The service is led by you, so you can choose where and when you'd like to meet (for example, in one of Stoke City's community lounges or libraries), or whether an online or hybrid approach would suit you best.

This free service offers:
Up to 12 months of intensive support for people who are currently out of work.
Up to 4 months of support for people who are in work but at risk of losing their job.

Who can apply?
You may be eligible if any of the following apply:

• You served in the Armed Forces or are the partner of someone who did.
• You have a health condition or disability.
• You are a carer or have previously been a carer.
• You grew up in care or have recently left care.
• You are homeless.
• You have experienced domestic abuse.
• You are a young person at risk of serious violence.
• You are serving a community sentence or have been in prison.
• You have or have had problems with drugs or alcohol.
• You are a refugee or part of the Afghan resettlement scheme.
• You are in the UK under the Ukrainian scheme.
• You are a victim of modern slavery.
• What support is available?
• Early access to job opportunities tailored to your preferences.
• Job and skills matching.
• On-the-job training.
• Help to stay in work, including job coaching, workplace mentoring, and regular reviews.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the unitary authority governing the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

The Council is responsible for providing local government services to over 260,000 residents across six towns, including approximately 5,700 residents who reported that they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces (regular, reserve or both). This represents around 2.8% of the city's resident population aged 16 and over.