People experiencing long-term unemployment often face multiple interconnected barriers, including: 

• Reduced confidence. 

• Anxiety and isolation. 

• Poor physical health. 

• Financial pressures. 

• Loss of routine. 

• Reduced sense of purpose. 

Traditional employability programmes can focus heavily on outcomes, targets and job-search activities. The project asked a different question: 

What happens when wellbeing and movement come first?  

The aim was to help practitioners develop more meaningful conversations that connect movement, wellbeing and employability in ways that reflect people’s everyday experiences and aspirations. 

Collaborate Out Loud designed and delivered a co-produced programme tailored specifically for Tameside. The work included: 

• Co-design and engagement sessions involving people with lived experience of long-term unemployment. 

• Establishment of a local steering group. 

• Development of a bespoke training programme. 

• Delivery of movement and wellbeing workshops. 

• Facilitation of learning circles. 

Creation of locally relevant resources and tools. The programme encouraged practitioners to shift conversations away from deficits and barriers and towards strengths, aspirations, wellbeing and personal motivation. Using approaches such as Self-Determination Theory, Values, Beliefs, Needs and Wants, Core Emotional Concerns and strengths-based affirmations, participants developed new ways of supporting people through more person-centred conversations.  

The project demonstrated how movement can become a practical tool for improving wellbeing and supporting employability outcomes.  

Participants explored the connections between movement, confidence, social connection, emotional wellbeing, routine and motivation. Conversations shifted away from exercise targets and towards helping people identify what matters to them and how movement could support wider life goals.  

The programme also strengthened practitioner confidence and capability, helping staff have more inclusive, strengths-based and motivational conversations with the people they support. 

“Collaborate Out Loud’s co-design approach created training that was shaped by both staff and participants. The result has been more person-centred conversations, helping people overcome barriers, improve wellbeing and take positive steps forward.” 
Elodie Ritter, Partnerships & Integration Manager, Restart Scheme, Ingeus 

 “Through co-design and practical workshops, Collaborate Out Loud helped staff reframe conversations about employability, wellbeing and movement, creating a more inclusive approach to supporting people towards positive change.” 
Claire Marshall, Strategic Lead – Active Adults, GM Moving 

Wellbeing and Employability Are Deeply Connected 

One of the strongest insights was that employment cannot be separated from wellbeing. Confidence, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and social connection all influence people’s ability to engage with opportunities and move forward.  

Movement Can Be a Gateway to Wider Change 

Movement proved to be much more than physical activity. For many people it supported: 

• Better mood. 

• Increased confidence. 

• Improved social connection. 

• Greater routine. 

• A stronger sense of purpose.  

These outcomes often created the foundations needed for wider participation and future employment. 

Motivation Starts with What Matters to People 

The project reinforced that meaningful conversations begin with people’s own values, aspirations and motivations. When practitioners focused on what individuals cared about, engagement increased and conversations became more relevant and impactful.  

Strengths-Based Conversations Build Confidence 

Affirmations and strengths-based approaches helped people recognise qualities such as determination, persistence, resilience and adaptability. This shifted the focus from barriers to possibilities and helped build confidence and self-belief.  

Curiosity Is More Powerful Than Advice 

Participants learned that advice-led approaches can sometimes minimise lived experience or create resistance. Curiosity, listening and understanding often created more meaningful engagement and stronger relationships.  

Learning Communities Sustain Change 

The steering group and learning circles provided valuable opportunities for reflection, peer support and collective problem-solving. These spaces helped embed learning and ensure the approach continued beyond the formal training sessions.  

Employability Support Works Best When It Starts with People 

Perhaps the most important lesson was that employability support becomes more effective when conversations start with the person rather than the employment outcome. When wellbeing, confidence and aspirations came first, people were more willing to engage with conversations about movement, participation and future opportunities.