Stable, Rewarding Work Benefits Health
Locus Management
This research builds on the long-standing collaboration between Locus Management and the Belfast Works Connect (BWC) programme. BWC, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with an investment of £10.2 million for the 2023–2025 period, is the largest initiative of its kind in Northern Ireland, focused on reducing economic inactivity and supporting people into work.
Delivered by five well-established community organisations—Upper Springfield Development Trust (lead partner), Ashton Centre, Impact Training, GEMS NI, and East Belfast Mission—the programme reaches some of the most disadvantaged areas across Belfast and operates in five of the six Belfast Region City Deal council areas. Since its launch, BWC has supported over 5,000 economically inactive individuals through tailored advice, training, health and wellbeing support, and employability services.
Locus Management has been involved from the outset, helping to shape programme delivery and leading a full evaluation of its first two years. Through this work, we have developed a deep understanding of the factors that affect people’s ability to re-engage with the labour market
This new research, undertaken as part of the EPIC Futures initiative, will explore the underlying causes and consequences of economic inactivity. Using live programme data and direct input from participants, it will examine barriers across personal, family, community, health, and employment domains. The study aims to identify what support works best, where gaps remain, and how services can be more effectively integrated to meet complex needs. The findings will help inform policy and practice across Northern Ireland and support the development of more responsive, joined-up approaches to improving health, wellbeing, and employment outcomes for people who are furthest from the labour market.
