An employment support programme designed to help people overcome barriers to work on the Isle of Wight has supported more than 120 local people in its first 6 months.
Connect to Work provides personalised, intensive support to residents with disabilities, long-term health conditions or those who are facing other complex barriers to employment.
The programme provides up to 12 months of tailored support for people who are not currently in work, helping them secure, retain, and thrive in employment through personalised coaching, job matching, and other forms of support.
Connect to Work launched in February 2026 after being commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council. The programme is delivered by Palladium, alongside local partners OSEL and Youth Trust. Palladium is a public services and employability specialist that supports people facing complex barriers to work across the UK, including on the Isle of Wight.
The programme also offers up to 4 months of in-work support to help participants settle into roles, develop new skills, and remain in long-term employment.
Connect to Work focuses on understanding each person’s goals, strengths, and challenges; identifying employers who are seeking people with relevant skills; supporting job applications; and helping participants settle successfully into the workplace.
It may be particularly suitable for those looking to build confidence, explore workplace adjustments, or gain practical experience directly in a real job environment.
Katrina Adhyaru, who was supported and found a new job through the programme, spoke about her experience with Connect to Work:
“Thank you seems quite inadequate, I owe so much to where I am now to the programme’s gentle encouragement and wisdom.
“Undoubtedly your support, your interview advice to be myself, and encouragement when I failed to obtain jobs kept me focused. You have given me self belief. A wonderful programme, much, much needed here.”
In its first 6 months, the programme has worked with the NHS, GP practices and a number of community service venues, including libraries, West Wight Sports Centre, Pan Together, Salvation Army, Better Days Café and more.
These are locations where residents can meet the friendly Connect to Work team and directly discuss the support available through one-to-one meetings.
Listen to the Connect to Work team talk about what support is available in an interview on Vectis Radio: Whitney and India from Connect to Work chat to Dave Mac and Ross – Vectis Interviews 2026 – Vectis Radio.
Alex Minns, Isle of Wight Council’s service director for community regeneration and economy, said:
“We’re extremely proud that Connect to Work has been able to support so many people in its first few months.
“Referrals to the scheme can be made independently or with the support of a caseworker, community organisation, volunteer, friend, or any trusted individual.
“The message that this sends to local employers is also clear, connect with us and find your future talent.”
The programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, with regional adaptions being made as part of a wider partnership between the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton local authorities to tackle economic inactivity and strengthen local employment pathways.
If someone is unsure about their eligibility, the Connect to Work team is available to provide advice and guide them through the next steps.
A spokesperson from Palladium said:
“It has been a genuine privilege to be part of Connect to Work and to collaborate with so many inspiring organisations across the Island.
“What makes this programme so special is the collective commitment of our partners, stakeholders, community leaders, and dedicated teams, all working towards the shared goal of creating brighter futures and greater opportunities for local people.
“The passion, care and determination shown by everyone involved to date has been truly inspiring, and together we are already making a meaningful difference in our community.”
To find out more or register, residents can visit the Palladium Connect to Work website or contact the programme by emailing [email protected] or the Isle of Wight Council’s Connect to Work team at [email protected].
How about a similar scheme to get benefit claimants working!
There seems to be a large amount of work shy persons
claiming benefits on the island.
Really? Work-shy, or just caught in a hole? At any given moment there are usually only 100-150 full time vacancies here, but many temporary, part time or gig economy jobs. Part time means people would still have to claim benefits in order to survive, and gig economy means they’d never know how much they’d be earning the following week, so still be reliant on a benefits system. Each part-time vacancy has on average 40-80 applicants, into the hundreds for normal (non-professional) full time roles. The majority of full time positions are professional ones within the NHS and recruitment is taken up by mainlanders.
Hands up who would rather the regular poverty payments of known benefits, or the constant stress of not knowing if you can eat next week or pay the rent….whilst still having to buck up and work?
How about we take away the smugness of your pension and make you look for a job, eh?
The difference between a pensioner and a benefit
claimant!
Pensioners have worked hard all their life to earn their
deserved pensions, where as benefits claimants do fcuk
all and expect everything for nothing.
Free housing
Free Council tax
Free money to spend on Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and
Vapes, some even the the audacity to want a free vehicle!
Majority of people working on minimum wage cannot afford
the perks that benefit claimants receive.
If there is a shortage of jobs on the island then the
answer is to move to a location where there are jobs
available, that’s been happening for years.
How much longer can the country keep dishing out
benefits, the debt is growing.
The late conservative politician Norman Tebbit once said
“get on your bike” which was a kind polite way of
saying get off ones arse and go out and find a job.
There is no cure for lazyitus, many thesedays call it
stress, mental health or ADHD
the real name is lazyitus, working is good for one’s
health, you should try it, also good for one’s bank balance
and when the time comes one can enjoy their hard learned
pension, not to expect a pension if one has not paid into the
system!
The truth always hurts and people don’t like to hear
the truth.
Bless those people!