Case Study

When Matthew tried archery for the first time at the RISE residential experience as part of the Restart Scheme in Manchester, an important realisation struck him. The dyspraxia that had seen him dread his school sports lessons needn’t define his employment options. After a week of invigorating outdoor activities and practical employability sessions, he returned with new hope, and a new job, in his sights. 

 

“I’d never considered warehousing roles before but after gaining confidence in my hand-eye coordination with archery and feeling a moment of pure triumph mastering the rock climbing, I realised that, for me, my dyspraxia was more of a mental barrier than a physical one,” says Matthew. “I applied for a Christmas vacancy in the stock room of a busy clothes retailer and was offered a permanent role from it.” 

 

Matthew, from Wythenshawe, had previously been unemployed for 18 months after completing his university games design degree. Despite having past part-time retail experience, he describes his increasingly frustrating job search as a ‘nightmare’ before he joined the Restart Scheme in 2025. Given help with his CV, cover letter and job search, Matthew was also offered a place on a pilot residential scheme: RISE (Ready, Inspired, Skilled & Employed). Masterminded by Ingeus as part of its regional Restart Scheme delivery, its transformative effects are set to be repeated with forthcoming RISE residential experiences. 

 

Over five days, Matthew joined almost 50 other young Restart Scheme participants taking part in team building activities and skills workshops at Laches Wood Outdoor Education Centre. Some of those other previously unknown participants went on to become good friends who Matthew still now sees on a weekly basis.  

 

“When I attended RISE I needed a break from my every day,” adds Matthew, “it felt like I was pushing a boulder up hill. I needed something new to focus on, something different.” 

 

That ‘something different’ included indoor caving, axe throwing and canoeing. The week was an eye-opener for Matthew: 

 

“My big take away was confidence in my physical abilities; I realised my dyspraxia shouldn’t limit me. The employability sessions were very helpful too. Despite receiving payslips before, I’d never understood how taxes work until the finance session at RISE.” 

 

Matthew now works processing deliveries and ensuring the warehouse is well organised for his high-street employer. He enjoys processing the paperwork and hopes his next step will be into an administration position. 

 

He concludes: “Ingeus and the RISE residential especially have been an incredible help to me. Whatever anyone needs, if they have a disability or not, it feels like they’d always find something or someone to help – weirdly for me, it was archery!”