Case Study

Green-fingered Paul from Liverpool has always found solace in the great outdoors. From crafting hanging baskets for neighbours as a teenager, to tending the grounds of an idyllic Italian campsite, the 55-year-old has spent much of his working life outdoors and describes nature as his religion. Yet when family life took a fateful turn, Paul lost that faith and became anxious and withdrawn, latterly spending five years as a carer for his elderly mum. 

 

Now, a blossoming partnership between Ingeus and Riverside Housing, with whom he is a tenant, has sown the seeds of his recovery. 

 

“Last year, I was dealing with family bereavement, unemployment, and waiting for an operation on my foot,” explains Paul. “I was looking for work but really wasn’t in a good place, I’d lost my mojo.” 

 

When Paul heard of Ingeus’ Work and Health Programme at Liverpool Jobcentre Plus, and at the same time registered for careers support from the Riverside Housing tenants’ App, he struck gold. Working together, the partners are providing all-round employability advice and access to local job vacancies for Ingeus participants who are Riverside tenants. 

 

Paul was soon undertaking a series of Ingeus workshops and one-to-ones, from CVs and interview preparation, to assertiveness and pain management, to once again unleash his nurturing nature. 

 

“Ingeus helped me a lot,” continues Paul. “They gave me a different perspective and the confidence to get back to work. I learnt a lot about myself and the help was easy to take on board.” 

 

Meanwhile, Riverside had a perfect vacancy in its Environmental Services Team, maintaining communal green spaces around its Liverpool properties. Paul and his squad now mow, strim, plant, and litter pick, with Paul also enjoying driving the work truck. 

 

“I love being back out in nature, giving something back instead of sitting at home. I’m enjoying being sociable again and am passionate about doing a good job, making the community spaces smart for everyone.” 

 

The Riverside Group is one of the leading registered providers of social and affordable housing in England and Scotland. Its charitable foundation funds a nationwide Employment and Training Team, working alongside the Work and Health Programme North West to jointly support Riverside residents into work. Paul is just one of the many tenants now working for the housing provider, and local employers it engages with, as a result of the new partnership.