Connect to Work, part of

Pathways to Work
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We’re working with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
to provide a new Pathways to Work service in Sheffield called Connect to Work.

This free support is for people in Sheffield who have challenges finding or staying in work. This includes those with disabilities and/or health conditions.

Whether you’re looking for your first job, returning to work after a career break, or need help staying in a role, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Connect to work, South Yorkshire SYMCA, South Yorkshire Housing Association, Funded by UK Government

There are approx. 296,000 jobs currently available in Sheffield and the surrounding areas.

What you’ll get

A dedicated employment specialist who supports without pressure or judgement.

Help finding the right job – not just any job.

Support to stay in work, whether you’ve just found a role or you’re already employed but struggling.

Advice on benefits, CVs, interviews and more.

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Why sign up

  • It’s completely free.
  • You won’t lose your benefits by joining and can opt out at any time.
  • You choose what to share with employers.
  • We’ll help you manage any challenges at work.
  • We can work with your healthcare teams to ensure you get the right support.
Sign up now

Who’s eligible?

To apply for Connect to Work,part of Pathways to Work you must:

  • Be 18 or older.
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK.
  • Not be enrolled in a DWP employment programme.

Take a closer look at who can apply.

Check eligibility
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If Connect to Work is not right for you and you’re based in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham or Sheffield, you may still be  able to use Pathways to Work. To find out more on their website: South Yorkshire – Pathways to Work

More about the service.

Connect to Work is part of South Yorkshire’s Pathways to Work initiative and supports our region’s 10-year Employment and Skills plan launched in 2025. It’s delivered through a network of partners, including Shaw Trust and South Yorkshire Housing Association on behalf of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and is funded by the UK Government.

Eligibility:

  • Be aged 18 or over.
  • Not be on another DWP funded programme e.g. Trailblazer or WorkWell, live in Sheffield, 
  • Be unemployed, or
  • Be employed but at risk of losing employment, if you have been at your job for more than three months (this does not include zero-hour contracts).
  • Have a health condition and/or disability.

1. Learn about us
Talk to an employment specialist to find the right programmes that can support you.

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2. Talk about you
We’ll help you identify your needs and get the right support.

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3. Meet employers
We’ll have conversations with new or current employers to help you engage and find opportunities.

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4. Find or improve jobs
We’ll help you get work or receive the support you need in your current job.

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5. Do well at work:
Keep learning and succeeding in your role.

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6. Talk with your employer: We’ll make sure you get any adjustments you need.

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Find out more

I live in Sheffield and need help finding or staying in work.

Step 1 of 3
Who is the support for? (required)

Alternatively, you can contact us on:

Email: CtWSheffield@shaw-trust.org.uk

Tel: 0114 321 1880

To request this information in other formats please contact: studio@shaw-trust.org.uk

Frequently asked questions

  • After completing our quick online referral form, you’ll be contacted by an employment specialist, usually within two working days. They’ll explain the service and understand what support you need.
  • If the service is right for you, they’ll book an initial appointment to start getting to know you. This normally happens within five working days. They’ll also complete a few quick checks to get you signed up. You’ll need some ID for this, and to share your National Insurance Number, so they can verify your identity.
  • At your next meeting, you’ll explore your goals, experience and barriers – creating your own personalised work and wellbeing plan.
  • Your employment specialist will then support you throughout your journey, one-to-one.
  • You’ll be supported even when you find work, so you can succeed in your job.

Sometimes, busy periods can cause delays. If you haven’t heard back, please get in touch.

It’s open to people who:

  • are aged 18+, though some 16-17 year-olds may be eligible
  • have the right to live and work in the UK
  • have a health condition or disability
  • aren’t enrolled in a DWP employment programme.

You don’t need a medical diagnosis to sign up, but you must have the right to work in the UK.

If you’re based in Rotherham, Doncaster, or Barnsley you can contact your local Connect to Work team by visiting https://www.syha.co.uk/work/

You’ll have one-to-one support from an employment specialist. This could include:

  • building your own personalised action plan, based on your goals
  • writing CVs, searching and applying for jobs and preparing for interviews
  • staying in work (whether your current job or a new one), including adjustments
  • getting health or other support from local services, if you need it
  • accessing financial support (if it can remove barriers to work – like travel costs), however this is considered on a case by case basis.

We want support to be flexible and accessible, so you don’t have to think about travel or spaces that don’t meet your needs.

  • You’ll usually have weekly, one hour appointments – depending on your needs
  • Most meetings are face-to-face in local community venues such as libraries or cafés, based on what works best for you
  • We aim to meet at convenient, accessible places where you feel comfortable
  • You’re welcome to bring someone with you if it’s helpful
  • We can also arrange a translator for you

You’ll be expected to:

  • attend appointments regularly
  • take part in agreed activities (like job searches)
  • agree an action plan, to help you meet your goals.

Most people spend around an hour each week in meetings, with extra time for tasks such as job applications.

It depends on your needs and goals.

  • If you’ve got a job when you join, and after you find work, we can support you with any challenges you’re having for up to four months
  • If you’re looking for a job, we can support you for up to 12 months

No. Many people who join Connect to Work are struggling and need support to stay in their job. Others are looking for work. As long as you’re motivated, we can support you – and if you want to leave the programme at any time, you can.

We’ll help you with:

  • exploring opportunities that match your skills, needs and preferences
  • finding full-time, part-time, flexible, hybrid, self-employed or remote hours
  • connecting with employers who are open, inclusive and able to offer the right kind of support or flexibility
  • getting work in sectors like retail, hospitality, administration, customer service, logistics, and health and social care (depending what’s in your area)

We don’t tend to help with unpaid roles, like volunteering, placements or trials. Instead, we focus on moving you into sustainable, paid work. However, in some cases, work experience can be helpful – it all depends on your needs and goals.

If you know you can’t attend an appointment, please let us know as soon as you can, so we can rearrange it. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll get in touch. If you miss lots of appointments and we can’t reach you, we might need to close your place on the programme.

We don’t just help people find and keep work. We focus on the future – so you feel confident and clear about what comes next. If you’ve found work, we’ll help you manage any challenges and settle in for the first four months. If you’re still looking for work, we can point you towards other services and opportunities that can keep you moving forwards.

We’ll use what works best for you – texts, emails or calls. This includes your appointments, although we recommend meeting face-to-face, if you can. Sometimes, we do quick updates over email or Teams (accessed through the app or online link). If you don’t have a phone or computer, we’ll bring printed resources and help with online tasks during your sessions.

Yes. We know that work and health often go hand-in-hand, so we’ll build this into your personalised plan. We do this by linking you with local health and wellbeing services and referring you for support, so you’ll feel confident and ready for work.

We do work alongside the Jobcentre, and get referrals from them, but we’re not part of them – and we don’t make decisions about benefits or sanctions. As an independent charity, we’re here to give you personalised, one-to-one support, so you can move into work or keep it.

  • Your information is used only to give you the support you need
  • This includes understanding your circumstances, tailoring your support, and keeping track of your progress
  • We only collect information relevant to finding or keeping work
  • All information is stored securely and handled in line with data protection laws, including GDPR
  • You can find out more about our policy in your welcome booklet when you join

As Connect to Work is voluntary, you can withdraw consent at any time. Just speak to your employment specialist or email CtWSheffield@shaw-trust.org.uk

Whether it’s positive feedback or a concern, we’ll pass it to the right person and handle things quickly and respectfully.