Barriers to Employment, Education and Volunteering

Bringing to light barriers faced in gaining or retaining employment, accessing education and embracing volunteering opportunities.

The Commission

Over February and March 2024, Norwich City Council commissioned the Shoebox’s Community Connectors to hold conversations with residents about the barriers they face in gaining or retaining employment, accessing education– formal and informal and embracing Volunteering opportunities.

Using an asset-based approach, the Connectors held non-agenda conversations on topics driven by residents and that were progressed into conversations around the research area. Conversations took place in a range of community settings within Mile Cross, North Earlham and Mancroft (Norwich City Centre) areas.

These conversations provide a clearer understanding of the barriers people face to help support the commission of support services through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) People and Skills workstream.

Chloe Laurie, Community Connector - Mancroft

Mancroft (Norwich City Centre) Findings

The Mancroft summary reveals several key themes and barriers faced by individuals in the area. Employment and job satisfaction emerged as significant themes, with many individuals working in jobs that do not align with their skills or aspirations. The high cost of training and lack of accessible programs are major obstacles to improving job prospects. Volunteering is seen as a potential pathway to employment and personal satisfaction, yet financial pressures and time constraints hinder participation. For many, health, and well-being issues, including mental and physical health problems, significantly impacted their ability to work and /or volunteer, with a perception of inadequate support for those with disabilities or health issues being a recurrent theme.

Not surprisingly given Mancroft’s central location, language barriers pose significant challenges for immigrants and refugees in the area, hampering their integration into the local community and workforce due to insufficient language skills and lack of accessible training programs. Childcare responsibilities limit job opportunities, particularly for women, with high childcare costs and inflexible working arrangements being common issues.

Social support and community engagement are seen as crucial, yet many individuals relying heavily on community organisations for assistance and express a desire for more support groups, particularly for mental health.

Technological barriers, such as a lack of digital skills and access to technology, were identified as affecting older adults and those from low-income backgrounds, highlighting the need for training and resources to improve digital literacy.

Financial barriers, language barriers, health issues, childcare constraints, lack of information and guidance, technological barriers, workplace discrimination, and social and community isolation are all identified as significant obstacles.

To address these issues, the summary report recommends increasing access to affordable training, enhancing language support, improving childcare services, expanding mental health and disability support, boosting digital literacy, enhancing career guidance and support, and fostering community engagement.

By addressing these barriers, it is possible to improve the overall well-being and job satisfaction of individuals in the Norwich area, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.

Ally McGlagish, Community Connector - Mile Cross

Mile Cross Findings

Overall, the Mile Cross summary highlights the interconnectedness of these themes and barriers, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by the Mile Cross community. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that considers the diverse needs and circumstances of individuals within the community.

The report on the Mile Cross community identifies several key themes and barriers faced by its residents. Community engagement and activities are vital, with events like the Phoenix Tiny Tots group, craft fairs, neurodiverse family events, and the Lego club fostering a sense of community. Volunteering, particularly at the Phoenix Centre, and local charity shops, is a significant aspect of community life, offering a way for people to stay engaged, gain skills, and contribute. However, employment challenges are prevalent, especially for those with disabilities, mental health issues, older individuals, and those with a criminal record.

Education and skills training are in demand, with a need for adult education courses, IT courses, and specialised programs like Read Easy, as many seek opportunities to improve their qualifications and gain new skills. Support for neurodiverse individuals and their families is crucial, with parents often struggling to find appropriate resources.

Barriers to employment and volunteering include a perception of age discrimination, lack of local work experience for immigrants, the impact of criminal records, and health issues. Additionally, many individuals lack confidence or skills, particularly in using computers or navigating the job market.

Training and qualification barriers are notable, with immigrants facing challenges in having their foreign qualifications recognised and financial constraints limiting access to necessary training. Childcare costs and family responsibilities further hinder parents, especially single parents and those caring for special needs children or elderly family members, from pursuing work or training opportunities.

Social and cultural barriers, such as language issues, social isolation, and cultural differences, create additional challenges, particularly for non-native English speakers and immigrants. Financial constraints, including the rising cost of living and the lack of financial incentives for volunteering, also impact individuals' ability to engage in community activities or volunteer.

North Earlham Findings

The summary of the North Earlham conversations highlights several key themes and barriers faced by the residents. Substance abuse and recovery are prevalent issues, with many individuals influenced by their upbringing and community support playing a critical role in overcoming addiction.

Employment challenges are common, characterised by intermittent work, reliance on cash-in-hand jobs, and roles secured through personal connections. The physical nature of available jobs and the value placed on being productive are notable aspects.

Educational attainment is generally low, with many residents leaving school without qualifications, exacerbating residents feelings of inadequacy due to the stigma associated with the area. Volunteering and community involvement, through organisations like Baseline and Choi Kwang Do, provide structure and purpose, emphasising inclusivity and support.

Sonya Massimbe, Community Connector - North Earlham

As with Mancroft and Mile Cross, childcare costs, and family responsibilities, including caring for children with special needs or elderly relatives, present significant barriers to employment. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are prevalent and often linked to employment challenges, further exacerbated by the impact of lockdowns and long-term unemployment. Residents talked on the reliance on benefits for financial stability creating a critical barrier, as the transition from benefits to work is fraught with financial risks.

Generational cycles of unemployment and low educational attainment perpetuate barriers to employment, with learned behaviours and lack of motivation being significant factors. Poor public transport and the cost of travel limit access to job opportunities, while social and cultural factors, such as generational unemployment and low educational aspirations, create additional barriers.

To address these issues, the summary report recommends enhancing educational support providing targeted programs to improve qualifications and skills, and addressing the stigma associated with low educational attainment.

Improved childcare support and promoting flexible working arrangements are essential to accommodate parents' needs. Improving mental health services and integrating them with employment programs would also help address the root causes of unemployment. Whilst financial transition support, such as tapered benefit reductions and financial advice services, would ease the shift from benefits to employment.

Promoting volunteering and community engagement can serve as stepping stones to employment by building confidence and skills. Enhancing transport accessibility through improved public transport links and subsidised travel options can remove geographical barriers to employment. Addressing generational cycles with programs targeting both parents and children can break the cycle of unemployment and low aspirations. Strengthening local support services, including job clubs, training programs, and community centres, is crucial for providing comprehensive support tailored to the needs of North Earlham residents.

Citywide findings

We start by looking at the findings across the whole of the city, before taking a closer look at each of the individual neighbourhoods. For each neighbourhood we have included a highlight barriers summary in the appendix. The conversations highlight several key themes, with variations across the different areas, and barriers faced by individuals.

Employment and job satisfaction emerged as significant concerns, with many expressing dissatisfaction with their current job situations, citing stress and lack of fulfilment. Conversations showed a notable preference for part-time or voluntary work to avoid the stress of full-time employment. Health and caregiving responsibilities were also prominent themes, with many people detailing the burden of caring for family members with serious health conditions, leading to both emotional and physical stress. Not surprisingly mental health issues such as anxiety and depression were also prevalent, impacting on individuals' ability to work and engage in social activities. The resulting social isolation and struggle to connect with the community is widespread, with residents highlighting the crucial roles community centres and local pubs play in providing necessary social interaction.

Across all three areas, economic hardship and the rising cost of living are common concerns, with many individuals struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, the challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities are being exacerbated by financial pressures. People talked about educational barriers, including a lack of literacy and vocational skills, preventing individuals from securing better job opportunities, creating a cycle of unemployment and dependency.

Conversation among the residents also covered upon the variations between urban and rural areas, with urban areas offering more job opportunities and social activities but also higher living costs. Whilst rural areas often lack access to varied employment opportunities and social services, despite offering a slower pace of life and close-knit communities. Generational differences were also observed, with younger individuals frustrated by the lack of job opportunities and older individuals were often satisfied with part-time or voluntary roles. Whilst there remains a generational cycle of dependency on benefits and lack of motivation to seek employment.

Barriers to employment include health issues, caregiving responsibilities, lack of education, and skill deficits. Discrimination and lack of understanding in the workplace for those with disabilities or mental health issues are seen as significant obstacles. Whilst social isolation and lack of community support exacerbate feelings of loneliness, with language barriers and cultural differences posing additional challenges, particularly for immigrants.

Economic barriers, such as rising living costs and financial instability, limit individuals' ability to improve their living conditions and pursue better job opportunities. A common theme was a fear of losing benefits and the high cost of childcare that discourage many from seeking full-time employment. Educational barriers, including lack of basic literacy and job-specific skills, restrict job opportunities, highlighting the need for more accessible educational and training programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the report underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to address these challenges, including better support for caregivers, accessible mental health services, community-building activities, economic policies to ease living costs, and comprehensive educational programs. Efforts to improve social inclusion and support networks are seen as essential to help individuals overcome these barriers and enhance their quality of life.

Download the full report here.

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