Removing employment barriers for Lewisham residents

The Council's free and award-winning employment service, Lewisham Works, is growing. To support this, the team have just moved into a larger office at the historic Old Town Hall in Catford, marking an exciting step forward in our mission to support Lewisham residents into 'good work'.

This new space will host the delivery of several major programmes designed to create opportunities and remove barriers to employment. The first is for the Drive Forward Foundation to deliver a part of our Council-led Full Potential programme, a pilot to test new approaches to supporting care leavers on a local level.

The second is the Connect to Work programme, a nationally supported and integrated employment programme for residents with a disability or health condition. Delivered 100% in-house at Lewisham Works, the team will support 1,665 residents over the next five years. Residents in the programme will benefit from tailored employment support to address their specific barriers.

These programmes are core to the Council’s Inclusive Economy Lewisham strategy, which sets out the vision and steps for every resident to realise their potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. These new programmes and expanded workspace are key steps in providing the support residents need as well as tackling inequalities and access to employment.

Today, we celebrated this milestone with a breakfast event and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Councillor Ese Erheriene, Lewisham Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills. This new space will enable us to deliver innovative programmes that help more Lewisham residents access good work and experience the benefits that come with employment opportunities.

Councillor Ese Erheriene said:

“These programmes will make a life-changing difference for residents facing significant barriers to employment. By connecting these residents with skills, the chance to reach their potential and employment, we will see the benefits ripple beyond the individual and through families, communities and the wider borough. 

“This programme says something powerful. It says: If you want to work, we’re here to help you make it happen. No stigma, no shame, no barrier too big to break down.”