Blog

 

Finding work - or building the confidence that is needed to stay in work - can feel overwhelming. Add in the challenges that come from health conditions, disabilities or complex barriers and you create a situation that can feel too difficult to navigate alone.  

 

When the government announced Connect to Work, a programme that has been built to understand the everyday challenges that people with health conditions or disabilities face daily, Ingeus was keen to be part of it to continue our proven track record of delivering impactful employment support. With our existing partnerships across South London, we knew we could be a force for good in the region.  

 

We launched the programme together in December 2025. You’d think launching a programme this important just before the festive season would mean that interest would be limited – but it wasn’t. The support offered through Connect to Work means the festive season was exactly the right time to launch the programme. The season doesn’t change the needs of people with health conditions and disabilities.   

 

Since the launch, our team has attended over 50 events, engaged with over 650 people, and signed up 270 participants to the programme. Not bad for a small but growing team of 25.  

 

And the momentum is still increasing, every day we’re receiving more invitations to go and talk to businesses about the support Connect to Work can offer them to take on new staff. Businesses are truly understanding how inclusive hiring can make their business stronger and Connect to Work is connecting them with the candidates that can make that a reality.  

 

It’s not just businesses that the team has been out to meet. If you’re in South London, you’ll have probably seen one of them at your local community centre, health centre, food bank or library. Where there’s a chance of meeting someone that may need our help – we’re there. We know that local, community focused contact is key to giving access to the programme, to give residents support to move them towards the ultimate goal: sustainable employment.  

 

In our conversations, we’ve really drilled down into how Connect to Work is here for them for 12 months, that they’ll work with a dedicated Employment Specialist that understands their challenges, that we will take their skills and goals into account. Truly understanding the programme and the support available has encouraged their eagerness to get started.  

 

Did I say we were here to help people get into work? That’s right, but once someone is in the right role, we still here to continue support too. Connect to Work doesn’t end when our participants have found the right role, it continues for four months afterwards. Working with our participant and their employer to create a working environment that ensures they both thrive. 

 

We may have only been going three months but we’re already seeing the results of the hard work our participants have been doing. They’ve stepped out of their comfort zone, written CVs, cover letters and applications, thought about jobs they’d never have previously considered and some of them have started new jobs.  

 

Every person we help is different, how their illness or disability impacts them is personal, but they all have one thing in common. The desire to live their life to its full potential. If we can help them do that, even in a small way – we’re there.  

Learn more about Connect to Work in South London and how to get involved. Our team is here to support you find the right work for you, with continued support once you’re in a role. If you’re currently employed but concerned your health condition or disability could be impacting your job, Connect to Work can work with you and your employer to ensure your workplace is somewhere for you to thrive.