Investing in skills across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

I have focused on addressing the impact of poverty and deprivation throughout my career in the public sector, including my role as Chief Strategy Officer at Southampton City Council and continue to do so now through my voluntary work. During this time, I have seen both the deep-rooted challenges that hold people back from fulfilling their potential and the fantastic successes people have achieved through improvements in their educational outcomes, skills and employability. However, despite being a region that many would describe as prosperous, too many individuals and families are still trapped in cycles of poverty, with low skills and poor employment prospects. 

That is why I am proud to serve as a Trustee for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF). Through our Give Together, Give Local campaign, we are asking people to join us in tackling inequalities in ways where it has the potential to transform lives and open doors – by supporting skills and employability programmes so that more local people can be in a position to secure future job opportunities that will result from future economic growth in the region.   

Community-led change and the power of local solutions

Across our region, local charities and community groups are doing phenomenal work to support people facing complex barriers to employment, whether that’s due to learning disabilities, a family history of unemployment, poor literacy, or discrimination. My work in community development, area-based regeneration programmes and social inclusion leads me to believe that real change comes not from top-down solutions, but policies and funding that enable grassroots organisations to do what they do best – build trust, respond with care, meet people where they are, tailor programmes to meet the needs of individuals and specific areas and provide ongoing support. When we invest in skills and confidence early on, we don’t just improve someone’s chance of getting a job – we help lift entire families and communities out of poverty. 

Insecure and low-paid work is also a major contributor to persistent poverty, leaving many people stuck in a cycle they cannot escape. Without the opportunity to upskill or gain qualifications, individuals may find themselves moving between low paid short-term jobs with no stability, little income security, and limited prospects for progression. This makes it harder to build a future and increases the risk of long-term hardship. 

Hampshire is often described as a prosperous area, however, this does not translate into better outcomes for all residents as there are pockets of deprivation and poverty throughout our region. Too many in our region face the impact of poverty, low incomes, skills gaps and poor employment prospects. A critical route out of this is through improving skills and employment opportunities, particularly for those furthest from the jobs market. 

Investing in the future: the case for skills-based support

I was privileged to chair the HIWCF-led European Social Fund Programme Board – Solent Supporting Employment, which focussed on employability from 2020 to 2023.  The Programme’s priority was to increase labour market participation, promote social inclusion and develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce within the long-term unemployed and economically inactive population. This programme reached 1,200 people, two and a half times the original target. By the end of the programme, the original final programme targets were exceeded for all target groups (male/ female; unemployed; economically inactive; over 50s, disabled, ethnic minorities) and for all specific results: education/ training; unemployed to employed; inactive to employed or active search; childcare and remaining in employment for 6 months. You can read more about the programme here. 

But the need is still great. Research shows  that an 18-year-old with very poor literacy skills can earn up to £33,000 less over their lifetime than their peers* – a staggering figure that illustrates just how long the impact of disadvantage can last. We want to work with funders, local authorities, voluntary organisations and community groups to continue to do more of this type of work to support people facing complex barriers to employment.  Last year, HIWCF’ s Community Lens webinar brought together three of these incredible charities – Minstead Trust, The Literacy Hubs and Motiv8 – to share their approaches to helping people move closer to the world of work. Their work shows that there are no one-size-fits-all schemes – to be successful, they have to be personalised, creative, and rooted in the communities they serve. And they work! 

Our Employability and Skills Fund supports mentoring, literacy programmes, training opportunities and more – and every donation we receive through Give Together, Give Local goes directly to helping local people in need. These are our neighbours, our future workforce, and given the right support – our future leaders.

My experience shows me that lasting change comes from sustained local investment, strong local leadership, working together, a deeper understanding of the inequalities and causes of disadvantage for each area and implementing place specific solutions. I invite you to stand with us. Together, let’s build a fairer, more inclusive region where everyone has the chance to thrive.

*Research from Pro Bono Economics, 2021