Connect to Work Hampshire

Funded by Hampshire County Council, Connect to Work combines work and health support, and is open to Hampshire residents aged 18 and over.*

Check eligibility

Helping people in Hampshire find work

Connect to Work Hampshire is a fully funded employment service delivered by Shaw Trust. This voluntary support programme helps people with disabilities, health conditions and other needs to find employment. It also helps people who are at risk of losing their job to stay in work.

If you’re looking for a job, returning after a career break, or worried about keeping your job due to your health, we’re here to help. You’ll work one-to-one with an employment specialist who understands the challenges people face and will create a support plan that’s right for you.

We also work with employers by matching them to the right candidates, and supporting with areas like onboarding, training and workplace adjustments.

What you’ll get

  • Personalised employment support in Hampshire tailored to your goals.
  • Help finding the right job, not just any job.
  • Guidance on CVs, interviews and job applications.
  • Access to training, work experience or skill development opportunities.
  • In-work support to help you settle and stay in your job.
  • Advice for your employer on reasonable adjustments or workplace support.
  • Information on managing benefits while moving into work.

How it works

Get in touch.

Share a few basic details using our contact form.

Meet your employment specialist.

Talk about your goals, skills and support needs.

Prepare for work.

Find training, work placement opportunities and employer introductions.

Move into employment.

Get up to 12 months of personalised support to help you find lasting work.

Who can join Connect to Work Hampshire

This free employment support service is open to Hampshire residents who:

Are aged 18 or over.

Have the right to live and work in the UK.

Have a disability and/or health condition.

Are currently unemployed, out of work, or at risk of losing their job.

Why choose Shaw Trust

As one of the UK’s leading charity employment providers, we deliver services that help people overcome challenges and achieve long-term work success. We collaborate with local employers, health professionals and community partners across Hampshire to connect you to the right opportunities.

Start your journey to work today. Contact our team to find out how Connect to Work Hampshire can help you achieve your goals. 

On the form, please select Shaw Trust from the drop‑down menu when asked who referred you

Sign up now

Alternatively, you can contact us on:

Email: CtWHampshire@shaw-trust.org.uk
Tel: 0808 168 8445

Frequently asked questions

  • First, fill out our quick referral form (either yourself, or someone else – with consent)
  • After the initial triage, we’ll contact you within two working days to check the service is right for you
  • If it is, we’ll arrange an appointment with your personal employment specialist within 10 days of the call
  • Please bring your ID and national insurance to this appointment, to check your identity
  • You’ll next have an appointment to set up an action plan (whether you’re already in work or looking for work). You’ll also see how work might affect your benefits
  • Once you move into work, you’ll get four months of support

Please note: During busy times, we might take longer to get back to you than the timeframes above. To follow up on your application:

Call: 0808 168 8445

Email: CtWHampshire@shaw-trust.org.uk

You’ll be able to join if you:

  • are over 18 (although some 16-17 year-olds might be eligible, depending on their circumstances)
  • have a disability and/or health condition
  • live in Hampshire
  • have the right to work in the UK (including people who have no recourse to public funds but do have permission to work)
  • interested in finding work, or staying in your job.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to sign up.

Everything is tailored to you. Your plan might cover:

  • practical support, like CV, applications, interviews and job searches
  • talking to employers about reasonable adjustments
  • getting help with health, wellbeing and confidence in the workplace
  • getting support to return to, or stay in, work

If you need extra support, we can connect you to other services.

We help you to:

  • find opportunities that match your interests, experience and circumstances
  • look for work that fits your life – full-time, part-time, flexible, hybrid, remote and self-employment
  • explore roles in sectors like health, retail and logistics, depending on your area
  • get support with going back to work or staying in your job
  • meet supportive, flexible and inclusive employers.

Our focus is on paid work (not unpaid work, such as volunteering or internships).

  • You’ll meet your employment specialist every week (usually face-to-face)
  • Appointments are typically an hour, but we can give you more time if needed
  • They’re held in comfortable, convenient settings: cafes, library, community hubs
  • Your employment specialist might update you through calls or Teams (video calls)
  • If you don’t have a phone or computer, we can print out resources and manage applications during your appointments
  • A friend, family member or support worker is welcome to come with you
  • We can also arrange for a translator, if you need one

We’re here to help you keep moving forwards. We ask you to:

  • attend all your meetings – and get in touch if you can’t
  • complete any tasks or actions your employment specialist recommends
  • tell us if your needs or goals change, so we can give you the right support.

Remember: The programme is optional, and you can leave if it’s not right for you, or you longer want to work.

Most appointments last around an hour, which may include sharing your personal information with employer to get the right support, job searching or applications. The time commitment varies from person to person, and will depend on your goals and level of support.

It depends on your situation.

  • If you’re unemployed, we can help for up to 12 months
  • If you’re already working and need help to stay in employment, our support is available for up to four months

We’re here for you if you’re looking for a job or have one already, and are experiencing challenges due to a disability or health condition. All you need to do is be willing to work towards your goals and make the most out of our support.

We do have a small, discretionary fund that can be used in some cases (for example, travel or childcare). Talk to your employment specialist if you’d like to know more.

Taking part won’t affect your benefits, and we run benefits calculations to see how work can impact your finances. If you need extra support, we’ll point you towards the right advice and services.

  • We use your personal information to run the service for you and meet your needs
  • Data is stored safely, in line with data protection and GDPR
  • You can withdraw your consent or remove your data if you wish – just let us know
  • We cover more on data protection in your welcome booklet

For any questions or to find out more, speak to your employment specialist or email CtWHampshire@shaw-trust.org.uk.

  • We can ‘pause’ on meetings and activities, but it won’t pause your time
  • If you need to move an appointment, tell your employment specialist so it can be rebooked
  • If you miss an appointment and haven’t let us know, we’ll contact you to rebook it
  • If you miss a few appointments and haven’t told us, we might need to close your place (but we’ll tell you if we need to do this)

If needed, we can consider extending your support on a case-by-case basis.

That’s not a problem. During appointments, we mainly work with you face-to-face, with printed resources and help with online tasks.

Connect to Work

Delivered in partnership with

Hampshire County Council, Palladium, Seetec