Joining In Motion 2026, a new GM Employabillity Community Pilot (GIFT)

Joining In Motion 2026: A new Greater Manchester Community Pilot

As part of the ongoing commitment at MEaP to co-producing sustainable, inclusive pathways for local people, we are pleased to highlight a vital new initiative from our consortium partner, GIFT.

Building upon the foundations of Joining In Motion 2025, the newly launched Joining In Motion 2026 (JIM 2026) shifts focus towards an innovative, grassroots approach. Operating as a targeted community pilot in Greater Manchester, this project addresses the intersection of work, wellbeing, and social connection for individuals navigating systemic barriers.

About the Joining In Motion 2026 Programme

Joining In Motion 2026 is a structured 12-week community pilot delivered by Inside Track Employment & Mentoring (ITEM) in close partnership with GIFT. The initiative targets adults and young people across Bolton and Greater Manchester who face significant barriers to employment and community participation.

The delivery of this grassroots project has been made possible through a £1,715 grant from Forever Manchester’s Zuto Make a Difference Fund, directly supporting localised, asset-based intervention.

Joining In Motion 2026 Target Demographics

The JIM 2026 pilot works intensively with up to 30 participants from across the borough of Bolton and the wider Greater Manchester area. The programme is specifically tailored for individuals who are:

• Unemployed or Economically Inactive: Local people facing complex, layered barriers to entering the competitive labour market.

• Experiencing Social Isolation: Individuals struggling with loneliness, low confidence, or a lack of community connection.

• Navigating Health Challenges: People living with, or at risk of developing, mild-to-moderate mental health challenges.

• From Diverse Cultural or Linguistic Backgrounds: Minoritised communities requiring a culturally sensitive, inclusive environment to thrive.

Joining In Motion 2026 core delivery

Participants engage in two structured, peer-led sessions each week. The curriculum bridges the gap between holistic mental health support and practical employment pathways:

Wellbeing Activities and Physical Health

To improve self-reported wellbeing, the programme incorporates practical, nature-based activities. These include group walks, community growing projects, and healthy eating workshops aimed at building sustainable lifestyle habits.

Confidence Building and Language Support

Weekly group sessions focus on reducing social isolation by improving communication skills. These sessions offer a safe space for language acquisition and peer network creation, building the foundational confidence required for public life and workplace environments.

Personal Development Planning

Experienced community practitioners work one-to-one with participants to map out bespoke personal development plans. These action plans are tailored specifically to individual strengths, cultural contexts, and long-term employment goals.

Supported Volunteering Pathways

The project establishes direct routes into voluntary work experience across key operational sectors. Participants gain practical skills in sales, gardening, administration, and logistics, serving as tangible stepping stones toward sustainable employment.

An Asset-Based, Peer-Led Model for Greater Manchester

In alignment with the core values of the MEaP consortium, JIM 2026 rejects one-size-fits-all frameworks. Instead, the initiative utilizes an asset-based, peer-led model that meets individuals exactly where they are. By prioritising the existing strengths, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences of the participants, the project fosters genuine community cohesion and mutual respect.

Expected Outcomes and Future Evidence Base

By the conclusion of the three-month delivery phase, the partnership aims to achieve measurable benchmarks for social impact:

• 30 local participants consistently engaged in structured, supportive community activity.

• Enhanced self-reported confidence, reduced loneliness, and stronger social connectedness.

• At least 15 participants successfully progressing into voluntary work experience, further education, or structured training.

• A robust, qualitative evidence base designed to inform future, larger-scale employment and wellbeing programmes across the region.

“Both individuals arrived uncertain and left with direction, skills, and confidence. That transformation is at the heart of everything GIFT does.”

Get Involved with Joining In Motion 2026

If you would like to join the pilot as a participant, register as a volunteer, or explore partnership opportunities with the MEaP consortium on this project, please get in touch via the GIFT Contact Page.

• Delivery Area: Bolton & Greater Manchester