Hundreds of social housing residents across the UK are to get access to an employment coaching programme designed to build confidence, develop practical skills and open the door to new jobs – thanks to support from charity The Fusion21 Foundation.
The Fusion21 Foundation, which helps build brighter futures in the communities where procurement experts Fusion21 operate, is providing £59,000 to support the pioneering approach to help social housing residents amid the cost of living crisis.
Delivered in partnership with the Hyde Group, The Guinness Partnership, and UK social enterprise Stay Nimble, the initiative combines one-to-one coaching from professional career coaches with access to Stay Nimble’s structured career development platform, digital tools, and AI support. As well as unemployed people, support is available to those wanting to change careers, to upskill or reskill.
Residents will benefit from access to up-to-date local job opportunities and relevant training, alongside skills-matching tools, learning resources, and Ask.Nim – an AI career assistant providing CV guidance, interview preparation, and personalised job-search support.
Participants will have access to individual employability grants, assessed on a case-by-case basis, to help overcome barriers such as transport, training, or childcare costs.
Running over 15 months, the programme will support around 300 residents across Hyde and Guinness communities nationwide. Upon completion, partners will share the learning with the wider sector, creating opportunities for other housing associations to join the partnership in future.
Stay Nimble has an established track record supporting social housing residents across the UK since 2020, with its programmes designed to offer a lasting and reliable infrastructure for communities.
Jo Hannan, Head of the Fusion21 Foundation, said: “We’re proud to fund a programme that reflects our employment and skills funding priority. By combining personalised coaching, digital tools, and practical grants, this initiative will help residents overcome barriers, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward employment. We hope it will also inspire other housing associations to adopt and expand similar approaches, creating lasting impact across the sector.”
Felicity Hunt, Communities & Social Impact Director at Hyde Housing, said:
“Our resident research for the new Hyde Foundation strategy highlighted just how important good quality employment support and progression are. We’re delighted to be partnering with The Guinness Partnership and Stay Nimble to deliver a programme that reflects those priorities. Thanks to the generous support of the Fusion21 Foundation, we can provide coaching, digital tools and practical help that make a genuine difference to people’s employment journeys.”
Lajaune Lincoln, Head of Community Investment at The Guinness Partnership said: “At The Guinness Partnership we believe in investing in our communities, and in creating valuable opportunities for residents to develop the skills they want and need. We are proud to be a part of this important employment coaching programme, supporting residents to build the foundations that help them achieve their aspirations.”
