For me, being an Integration Manager is about far more than explaining an employment programme. It is about becoming part of the places I serve, earning trust and helping people feel that support truly belongs in their community.
My faith gives this work its foundation. The values of serving others, supporting my community and being a good neighbour shape how I approach every conversation. I do not see faith as something separate from everyday life. For me, belief becomes meaningful through action - showing up, listening and finding practical ways to help.
Starting with relationships
I describe my role simply: it is about becoming part of the communities we serve, building genuine relationships, supporting local organisations and connecting people to opportunities that can make a real difference.
That means my first question is not, “Who can you refer?” It is, “What can I do to support you?” I speak with Imams, community leaders and local organisations, offer help with events and share opportunities that matter to them. This give-and-take turns a professional introduction into a lasting relationship.
I attend community events, networking opportunities and faith gatherings because trust grows through consistency. Email may open the door, but I always find in-person delivery is much better. By being visible and useful, I become a familiar face and help build stronger links between employment services and the people they are designed to support.
Meeting people where they are
At the heart of my approach is a belief that services should not wait for people to find them. It is about meeting people where they are, both physically and culturally, rather than expecting them to come to us.
In North Yorkshire, I want to build meaningful relationships with communities that may not traditionally engage with employment services. This includes mosques, churches, synagogues, other faith-based organisations and groups that may have been overlooked or left unsure about the support available.
Bringing support into trusted community spaces creates social value in a very human way. It removes barriers, makes information more accessible and helps people feel respected. It also strengthens local support networks, enabling faith leaders and community organisations to connect people to opportunities they might otherwise miss.
A few minutes that can change a life
One of the clearest examples comes from my work with mosques. After taking time to build rapport with Imams and mosque communities, I have been invited to speak before Friday congregational prayers. In a short 15-minute slot, I introduce the programme, then stay nearby so people can ask questions privately and find out more.
The response shows what can happen when support is offered in the right place, by someone people trust. At one recent gathering, I received around multiple referrals in just 20 minutes. During my earlier work with one of London's largest mosques, a brief announcement led to around 75 to 80 referrals within an hour.
For me, those numbers are not simply a measure of reach. Each referral represents a person who may have needed help but had not known where to turn. You realise just how much people genuinely need the support. The experience underlines the importance of listening to communities and making sure their voices are heard.
From first contact to lasting change
The impact continues long after the first conversation. I have seen people form strong relationships with Employment Specialists, apply for roles and move into work. Some have even applied for opportunities within Ingeus. Their gratitude reminds me that a trusted introduction can set a much bigger journey in motion.
This is why I see integration as more than access to a service. It is about belonging, trust and the opportunity at hand. When local organisations, faith leaders and employment services work together, we create a stronger network around each person. People are not passed from one place to another - they are welcomed into a connected community of support.
Faith expressed through service
For me, faith-led community engagement is not about grand gestures. It is about being present, offering my time and treating every person as someone with potential. My beliefs give me a sense of purpose, but it is my actions that bring that purpose to life.
By acting as a bridge, I create opportunities while strengthening trust, inclusion and community cohesion. One conversation may lead to a referral, a new relationship or a job. Together, those moments create positive change - and show the difference one person can make when service begins with genuine care for their neighbours.
Bilal is the Integration Manager for Connect to Work across North Yorkshire. With a strong commitment to community engagement and collaborative partnership working, Bilal focuses on developing meaningful relationships with local organisations, healthcare providers, employers and community groups. His proactive, person-centred approach strengthens referral pathways, expands the programme’s reach into underserved communities and helps ensure individuals facing barriers to employment receive the right support, at the right time, to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
