Impact
Changing one person’s life can have an enormous impact
Our programmes are designed to create sustainable positive change in the lives of individuals, which is why our partners work holistically to address individual needs and barriers. We recognise that in supporting one person to thrive, many more lives are transformed as a result. We call this the Ripple Effect.
Through our programmes, participants gain skills, confidence, improved wellbeing, and are given guidance on how to make purposeful changes in their lives. We acknowledge that for many, this path is not linear, and each person’s journey looks different.
We have heard stories of participants who have become better parents, who become financially independent and are able to support their families, who no longer need to access NHS services due to feeling they are able to survive on their own, who no longer have suicidal thoughts and have created lives that are fulfilling and satisfying.
Recent Case Studies
These inspirational short stories demonstrate the high level of impact our projects have on real people’s lives in York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding.
Multiply - Kian's Story
Before meeting CJ, Kian was struggling with alcohol abuse, felt lonely and isolated and lacked direction in his life. His finances had become out of control and he needed help to make changes.
CJ works for York Based CIC Coterminous and is a keyworker on the Multiply programme. He has supported Kian to regain control of his life, gain his confidence back, get control of his finances and find employment!
Kian is now becoming the father he wants to be for his daughter and enjoying life again
Action Towards Inclusion - Jimmys Story
Selby District AVS are a Keyworker on the ATI Programme, they support people across the district to transform their lives.
In this video you will hear Jimmy’s story. Jimmy began the ATI Programme in a very dark place, struggling with his anger. After meeting his keyworker Chris, his life changed.
This video was made in collaboration with Inspired Youth
RISE - Kates Story
Kate was struggling to find employment after moving over the UK. She found support through RISE at York Learning and studied ESOL and functional skills to get her to become more job ready.
After seeing the impact of the pandemic she wanted to work in the healthcare sector so realised she had to develop her skills in order to do that.
She now is doing an apprenticeship and is doing something she loves!
Connect with us via our social media for updates on our projects, opportunities, the team and our impact. Visit our YouTube to find more case study videos and hear about the lives that have been transformed through our fantastic partnerships and programmes
Testimonials
“We have been lucky enough to continue the same model [as ATI] on our current local government-funded programme: Reducing Inequalities, Supporting Employment (RISE). This launched just as ATI finished, very much picking up where the last project left off. As we look ahead, we hope to be able to continue this tried and tested successful model. We also hope to build on it and make it even better, by incorporating in-work support, meaning the partners can actually support people all the way through their journeys into work and beyond.”
— Joe Mckenzie, RISE Programme Manager (IEP Journal)
“My biggest development as a leader has been understanding the power of having a growth mindset and encouraging others to do the same. ”
— Natasha Babar-Evans, Better Connect CEO (What 3 Words Leadership Locations Report)
“ATI was seen to have been a unique programme which brought life-changing benefits to its participants. There was agreement that the ending of ATI would be a significant loss to employability support within the region, and a strong message from keyworkers that a way to maintain the model should be sought.”
— Dr Annie Irvine (on ATI)
“Keyworkers described multi-layered packages of support that they had put together for different participants. For example, one case involved support to find appropriate housing, enrolling the participant in education, supporting at family court hearings, and arranging mentoring support for the participant’s non-dependent child. The focus could vary, from the more emotional support and confidence building, to the more practical. ”
— Dr Annie Irvine (on ATI)
“Perspective-taking was a tool used by some keyworkers. Programme participants talked about how their coach would ask them to imagine what they would tell a friend or colleague in their situation, or to take the perspective of another person who was observing their own behaviours or actions, and what that would look or feel like. Some participants mentioned the value of accountability, when done in a non-judgemental and supportive manner. ”
— Dr Annie Irvine and Dr. Jane Suter (on TAW)
“Interviews with keyworkers revealed two distinctive approaches within the Workplace Support programme. We describe these as ‘coaching’ vs. ‘keyworking’. Both approaches are highly person-centred and programme participants experienced both as incredibly valuable. The main differences were that the coaching model was more structured and boundaried whilst the key working approach was more open-ended and holistic.”
— Dr Annie Irvine and Dr Jane Suter (on TAW)
“The sort of referrals I was getting were people struggling with life challenges rather than work challenges. And also with maybe debt, housing, relationships, a bit of substance misuse maybe, mental health, anxiety, depression. But it was affecting their work. So it wasn't that their work was bothering them, but the issues going on in their life were affecting their work and preventing them from developing and having that improved labour status or confidence.”
— TAW Keyworker and Report Participant
“Quite a few of the participants have had a lot of mental health support before … but those challenges don’t go away for them. So it’s how to navigate the office environment, how to navigate social isolation when you’re home working, things like that. How to navigate your anxiety, your depression or even people who are neurodivergent, how that translates to the office for them and their colleagues and their access to work passports, and things like that; how that’s incorporated into their day-to-day work.
”
— TAW Keyworker and Report Participant
“My life looks pretty awesome right now, obviously I wasn’t myself when I first got in touch with Leanne (Keyworker), but since then she’s helped me massively, she even took me under the wing; I now feel like I’m able to leave the nest- like I was one of her kids and now I’m able to fly again”
— Ashley, Thriving at Work Participant
“(ATI) Provided me with insight into my own needs and support for my autism-caused social and emotional issues, helped me to believe that I have value and deserve to succeed in life. Provided a space where I could safely "be autistic" and still feel supported”
— Former Participant on ATI
“Before I went on ATI, I was just a loose cannon, never got on in life, angry all the time. I was going from job to job working my way up and then the anger would take over and I’d lose the job, everywhere I went before, nothing really helped.. Now look, I've got my own business!”
— Jimmy, ATI Participant
“The transformation has been nothing short of mind-blowing, the way I interact with people, the way I can live my life differently. I became employable, I could speak with people, engage with people, and the biggest part of my journey is that I’m helping others that was in the position I was in before”
— Glen, ATI Participant and Keyworker
“"The difference I’ve seen for people has been so humbling, so overwhelming at times, but so phenomenal to see what people can
achieve with the right combination of support"”
— Keyworker on ATI
“WOW – working with Better Connect has always been an exhilarating experience. I can only describe my work with Better Connect as a “decade of opportunities” from ATI to ESF to Kickstart and TEWV. A funder who embraces our shared values enabling the people we support to benefit from so many life changing opportunities.
SDAVS continues to be committed to supporting the needs of the communities we support. Working with Better Connect is always a pleasure, combining a positive work ethic, inclusive delivery style, and open communication at all times. This has ensured that our shared aspirations can be achieved, with so many individuals assisted to succeed.
May the opportunities continue!”
— Chris Hailey-Norris, Chief Officer, Selby District AVS
“Better Connect is a fantastic organisation with a diverse, accessible and person led ethos. They are incredibly supportive and provide an invaluable bridge between organisations and funders, helping to maximise the potential of vital community-based projects throughout the county. They have enabled our organisation to expand and develop, as well as supporting us personally, as practitioners, to have the confidence, resources and backing, to dream big!”
— Emily Havercroft – Director of Making Things Happen
“Orb Community Enterprise has worked closely with Better Connect (previously Your Consortium) for many years now and it has been a very successful working arrangement. The staff are very approachable and responsive. They understand what Orb does and do their very best to accommodate the way we work – some funders are quite rigid in their requirements and negotiating flexibility isn’t always easy – but Better Connect do listen and are very supportive.
Effectively they are a great team, and we enjoy working with them very much indeed!”
— Elizabeth Marshall Operations Manager – Orb Community Enterprise
“Rural Arts brings creativity to every community in North Yorkshire – and Better Connect (previously Your Consortium) are an important part of making that happen. We’ve partnered together on many projects, and Better Connect are always collaborative, supporting and trusting. They help us to deliver the best outcomes for our communities and work to be flexible about how we achieve this in a way that’s right for us, and our participants. Their team is knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about what they do. Our partnerships with Better Connect are an important strategic driver, and the organisation is invaluable as a connector, contract manager and support body for the VCSE sector across North Yorkshire. ”
— Max May – Director and CEO of Rural Arts
“I am proud and excited to be moving forward with Better Connect as they step out, in their ever-increasing support, to reach some of the most vulnerable and isolated individuals across North Yorkshire. Having worked very closely with them (under their former name of Your Consortium) since 2018, I cannot praise their work enough. Their work with both individuals and partner organisations is exceptional; their vision is far-reaching and all-encompassing; their staff are helpful, knowledgeable, and prompt in their support. As ever, this is Yorkshire at its best and I cannot think of any more appropriate way to ‘better connect’ with those who need it most. Looking forward to many more years of working together as the organisation develops.”
— CJ Allison – Yorkshire Employability Manager – Resume Foundation
Our Impact Team
Our Impact Team is made up of creative individuals who share a passion in sharing and demonstrating the impact that our programmes are making. They do this through storytelling, social media, blog posts, events and collecting/understanding data.
Get in touch with them if you would like to help us raise awareness of the impact Better Connect and our Partners are making.
