An Oldham social enterprise is looking to tackle unemployment amongst older men in the borough through a new programme.

Upturn, which looks to support disadvantaged people and those living in poverty, says rising long-term joblessness in those aged over 50 has created a “lost generation” of potential workers who also deal with decreasing health and a growing sense of displacement.

The social enterprise is now hoping that a programme transform the lives of those who are over 50 and struggling with unemployment.

Upturn's second-year report on a Reaching Communities funded programme shows that 259 of the hardest to reach people in Oldham and Rochdale have received life coach support, employment training and highly personalised mentoring.

Of those 259 people who have been helped by Upturn, 175 have found employment, while 54 have moved onto further education or vocational training.

The support has also had a positive impact on people's morale, with 251 saying their self-esteem had increased and 85 say their mental health had improved.

Upturn is now targeting potentially tougher groups including care leavers, ex-prisoners and the over 50s.

Maria Williams, HR Director for Upturn, said: “The secret of our success has been to bring hope to people, rather than wait for them to access it. 

“It is also about building-up trust and giving people the confidence to take control of their lives. When we first engage with them, they are often disillusioned, disadvantaged and disengaged.”

The package of care includes developing career paths, offering benefits and debt advice, signposting to volunteering and work placement opportunities and, using people who had been through similar experiences as aspirational real-life ambassadors.

One beneficiary, a man who Upturn has named as John, faced significant personal barriers, including being unable to read or write and his mother having terminal cancer, forcing him to move out of the family home to care for her.

John felt there was no future employment for him, and he had no confidence or self-worth, however he is now training to be a plasterer, has seen a huge improvement in his mental health and is getting support from his employer to overcome debt issues and make sure the bills get paid.

Building a community of friendly businesses, organising debt advice surgeries, and utilising experts to help people start up new businesses are among Upturn's plans for the future.

With the addition of a new camper van, Hope on Wheels, Upturn is also set to be more mobile taking their message out to coffee mornings and other community hubs.

Ms Williams said: “There are 200,000 over 50s who are currently unemployed and over 37 per cent have been out of work for over a year.

“We recognise that some people from this group have significant and additional needs, which include poor access to mental health, spiralling debt, a benefits system which fails to incentivise, physical health needs and a sense they are no longer wanted.

“We aim to change that and call on businesses, local authorities, statutory organisations and indeed the rest of society to help us bring work and hope to a treasured generation.”