At Westwood Recruitment, we believe that creating lasting social value means investing in people, communities, and future talent. We are proud to present our 2026 Social Value Impact Report, highlighting the impact of our ongoing partnership with Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) and its Work Readiness Programme.

For the past three years, Westwood Recruitment has worked alongside GMYN to support young people facing some of the greatest barriers to employment. Together, we are helping to create pathways into work, build confidence, and develop the workforce of the future.

Our Commitment

This partnership reflects our commitment to:

• Strengthening local talent pipeline
• Supporting inclusive access to work
• Investing in long-term workforce development 

Delivering Meaningful Impact

Through our funding and ongoing support, GMYN has engaged with 129 young people across Greater Manchester through its Work Readiness Programme.

The programme supports young people who are often furthest from the labour market, facing challenges such as disrupted education, low confidence, limited professional networks, and reduced access to opportunities. Rather than focusing on short-term interventions, the programme prioritises sustained engagement, helping participants develop the confidence, skills, and experience needed to progress towards employment.

Key Outcomes Achieved

Our investment has contributed to measurable and meaningful outcomes:

• 84% improved their confidence to take next steps towards work or training. 
• 78% developed core employability skills, including communication and teamwork.
• 72% built stronger connections with peers and employers.
• 67% reported improved wellbeing increasing their readiness for work.
• 61% progressed into education, training or employment, or are actively moving towards these outcomes.

These results demonstrate genuine progression towards sustainable employment and positive life outcomes, rather than participation alone.

Supporting the Future Workforce

The recruitment industry depends on a strong, diverse, and work-ready talent pool. Yet many employers continue to face skills shortages and challenges in recruiting entry-level candidates, while young people often struggle to access opportunities due to a lack of experience or confidence.

Our partnership with GMYN helps bridge this gap by:

• Build a pipeline of young people who are better prepared for work.
• Increase employer confidence in recruiting young talent.
• Reduce barriers that prevent capable individuals from accessing opportunities.

By investing in employability at a grassroots level, we are helping to address workforce challenges that impact businesses across multiple sectors.

Enabling Innovation and Programme Development

A key strength of our partnership is that it has enabled GMYN to invest not only in programme delivery but also in innovation, development, and continuous improvement.

Our funding has supported:

• The creation of a drop-in Job-Club, providing flexible, accessible employability support. 
• The development and mobilisation of a summer jobs programme. 
• The design of new training content, including the ‘Bedroom to Boardroom’ initiative. 
• The ability to test and refine approaches before scaling them with other funders. 

This mirrors the way successful businesses operate; investing in research, development, and innovation to achieve stronger long-term outcomes

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Providing Continuity Where It Matters Most

One of the most significant contributions of this partnership has been the ability to provide continuity of support for young people.

Short-term funding models can often leave participants without guidance between programmes, increasing the risk of disengagement. Our flexible investment has helped address this challenge by ensuring young people continue to receive support during critical transition periods.

This approach has enabled:

• Stronger relationships between young people and trusted mentors.
• Better retention and development of experienced programme staff.
• Improved learning, evaluation, and programme effectiveness.
• More consistent support for participants on their journey towards employment.

Our Ongoing Commitment

For Westwood Recruitment, social value is about more than corporate responsibility. It is about actively contributing to stronger communities, a more inclusive labour market, and a future workforce equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed.

This partnership demonstrates how targeted investment can generate both social and economic value by creating better outcomes for young people, employers, and the wider community.

We remain committed to supporting initiatives that drive meaningful change and encourage our clients, partners, and suppliers to consider how they can contribute to similar programmes.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to continued investment and collaboration, GMYN's Work Readiness Programme is now reaching more young people, delivering stronger outcomes, and creating greater long-term impact than ever before.

Additional funding applications are currently in progress, and Westwood Recruitment's support continues to underpin the programme's delivery, development, and growth.

Together, we are helping to create opportunities, unlock potential, and build a stronger workforce for the future.

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