News | Posted 2 May 2025
Empowering Change: 100 Individuals Employed Through Jobs First
On April 10th we reached a significant milestone: our 100th employee began their journey through the Jobs First programme.
Building brighter futures
Why celebrate 100 people starting Jobs First, in less than four years? Because it represents 100 people breaking the cycle of homelessness and improving their futures. Academic research has already proven that the Jobs First programme creates meaningful change, and now we can see it’s scalable at pace, too.
Jobs First is more than an employment programme – it’s a crucial part of the mission to end homelessness. While housing and support services are essential, long-term solutions require us to address the wider systems that keep people excluded.
People experiencing homelessness often face multiple, overlapping barriers, not just in accessing housing, but also in finding and keeping a job. These barriers include limited access to mental health support, difficulties navigating benefits, lack of affordable transport, and systemic stigma.
That’s why Jobs First is built around relationships: to recognise that early life challenges can affect how people relate to each other, which in turn can make it harder to find and keep a job.
What Jobs First means to participants
Shirzi recently started with Jobs First and relationships have been key to his initial success. “With the valuable support of the Social Bite team and all my colleagues, I was able to find a suitable job and continue my life with hope and peace of mind. Your kindness enabled me to move forward successfully in my career path.”
Fellow Jobs First employee Mohamed said, “my job is the beginning of a dream – it gives me the confidence that I can do many different things. The money I earn helps my family and gives me independence to buy the things I want.”
Programme Coordinator Emma Colgan-Blair also shared her pride in achieving 100 employees. “A massive well done to everyone who supported us in reaching this goal. I’m so proud of how the programme has grown and to see the people we support thriving.”
Understanding the challenges
Whilst 100 employees is a significant milestone, many people still don’t understand the complex scenarios experienced by people who are homeless. For example, you often need a job to secure housing – but you also need an address to get a job. This catch-22 frustrates many of the people we work with.
So, at the 2025 Social Impact Conference, we played a ‘serious game’ called The Pathways Paradox. Developed with Socialudo, the interactive session invited attendees to step into the shoes of someone navigating homelessness. Built on the real-life experiences of Jobs First participants, the game revealed how overwhelming and disjointed the system can be.
“Having to tell your story more than once felt like re-living a trauma. It wasn’t even real in the game, but it felt real at the time,” reflected one participant.
“There’s nothing more demoralising than on a cold, wet day when you’re homeless, carrying all your possessions, having to travel two miles to one agency, then another two miles to the next,” said another.
True stories, real impact
The findings from The Pathways Paradox reinforced just how vital Jobs First is. We work with employers to break down stigma, build inclusive pathways into work, and ensure the role fits each person’s interests and needs. Most importantly, Jobs First takes a person-centred approach. With the right support, people can steer a course through these bewildering systems.
With 100 people now on their journey through Jobs First, we’re celebrating the power of compassionate, joined-up support – but we won’t be resting on our laurels.