Connect to Work

Connect to Work is a voluntary employment support programme designed to help people in Berkshire facing barriers to finding and keeping a job.

It launched in January 2026 and is delivered across Berkshire by Palladium, a specialist employment support provider.

Who the programme is for

Connect to Work is for people who want to work but need extra support.

Barriers to work can include:

• a physical or mental health condition
• a disability
• caring responsibilities
• housing issues
• past involvement with the criminal justice system
• other personal circumstances that make it harder to get a job

What you can get

The programme provides up to 12 months of tailored support based on individual needs.

Your support will be:

• tailored to help you achieve your goals
• focused on you and your circumstances
• delivered one-to-one with an employment adviser

Where the programme runs

The government has awarded grant funding to six local authorities across Berkshire to support approximately 2,300 residents over a five-year period.

The six participating councils are:

• Slough Borough Council
• Reading Borough Council
• Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• Bracknell Forest Council
• West Berkshire Council
• Wokingham Borough Council

Benefits

For jobseekers

Connect to Work offers:

• personalised guidance from employment advisers who understand both your strengths and the challenges you may face
• access to health and skills services to help you get the right job
• opportunities for training and skill development to improve confidence and employability
• support shaped around the specific needs of your local community

For employers

If you are an employer you can partner with Connect to Work to find capable individuals who are often underrepresented in the market.

By partnering with the programme, you can:

• connect with motivated and skilled candidates
• reduce recruitment and onboarding costs
• improve diversity and inclusion within your workforce
• recruit individuals committed to contributing to your organisation
• enhance staff retention

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you:

• are aged 18 or over
• live in Berkshire
• are not currently employed or at risk of losing you job
• not be enrolled on another Department for Work and Pensions programme
• be motivated to find paid work

The programme is aimed at people experiencing barriers to employment, including:

• people with disabilities or long-term health conditions
• offenders and ex-offenders
• carers and ex-carers
• people experiencing homelessness
• armed forces veterans and serving personnel
• people with past or current drug or alcohol dependency
• care-experienced young people and care leavers
• resettled Afghans and people on the Ukrainian scheme
• victims and survivors of domestic abuse
• young people at risk of serious violence
• victims of modern slavery

How to get support

You can be referred to the programme by health services, local councils or voluntary sector organisations.

You can also submit an expression of interest by completing the online form.