Progress Futures | Winter update

2024 has been a year of exciting change with a renewed focus on our person-centred approach and listening to the needs of our tenants, offering training, education and employment opportunities.

Your Future, Your Say

In September 2024, we held our first "Your Future, Your Say" event at The Base II in Broadfield, Leyland, to ask tenants what they thought about Progress Futures service provisions and development opportunities. We will use this feedback to inform and shape our services to our tenants going forward.

We asked:

What development opportunities have you had the chance to get involved with, and what would you like to see more of? 

You said you wanted:

• More maths and English courses
• More IT skills
• More tailored training courses
• Us to continue paid work placements

We asked:

What do you feel we do well (or not so well) regarding our service provision and delivery? And what would they like to see more of?

Some of the feedback included:

• Help with CV and applying for jobs
• Support with home and work issues
• Directing us to the right people
• Someone to talk to
• Wellbeing advice
• Just knowing someone is there
• Helpful
• Can't fault the support
• Excellent support and kindness
• I feel valued

Progress Futures Officers Katie and Phil explain: "The difference between Progress Futures and the Job Centre is that people can always return to Progress Futures for additional support, even when they have a job.

"There are also lots of other services and support we can help them with to supplement their work."

View the Your Future, Your Say customer video on YouTube

Here is some of the lovely feedback we have had for the team:

"I have always felt very comfortable working with Progress Futures and always had as much help as possible. I have appreciated every bit of help they have given me."

"Katie from Progress Futures is brilliant and has provided support by helping me with so many aspects of life and finding work, including finances, benefits, housing, children and school issues. She checks in regularly and checks everything is ok with me and my family."

"I don't think I'd be here without Progress Futures. I have had nothing but a positive experience. I've had health issues which have stopped me from working, but they've helped me take little steps towards my goals – they've put me on courses, helped me complete forms, and they are always there at the end of the phone."

"Phil has helped me immensely when I was looking for work. He helped me with prepping for interviews and gave me the confidence to be able to answer questions in interviews. Cathy has also provided me with wellbeing and mental health support. She doesn't put any pressure on me, and I know that when I'm ready again to look for work or opportunities, I can let her know, and we'll go from there."