York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority: Trailblazer Programme

As economic inactivity increases in the UK, the Government set out a policy framework to support people into employment and training in its ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper, which provided funding for eight place-based Economic Inactivity Trailblazers, for which York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) was selected. The Trailblazer programme aims to address the barriers for people not able to get work such as age, low skills, or long-term unemployment, with a particular focus on ill health.

Navigator Insight was recently commissioned by YNYCA to undertake qualitative research to support a reduction in economic inactivity across the region, inform the strategy of future interventions, and contribute to a wider understanding of what drives local economic inactivity.

Lead by Project managers Hannah Penrose and Georgina Campbell, and delivered in two phases of ‘understanding the lived experience’ and ‘co-developing solutions’, the research was designed to support the Trailblazer Programme’s ambition to reduce economic inactivity across the region. Navigator’s research looked specifically at four priority cohorts in the region; 16–24 and 50–64-year-olds, people on long-term sick leave, and those living in rural areas. 

The first phase focused on developing a comprehensive understanding of lived experiences, motivations, barriers, and enablers to work within each cohort. We conducted 23 in-depth interviews, offering participants the choice of face-to-face, online, or telephone formats to accommodate their individual needs. To reach harder-to-engage audiences, and those less comfortable in one-to-one interview settings, we also carried out a community group engagement session.

In the second phase, we undertook focus groups with each cohort to co-develop the types of support and intervention people need, and at which points in their journey they need it most. This stage allowed us to test emerging ideas collaboratively while continuing to understand differences across the four cohorts.

Drawing on findings from both phases, Navigator Insight delivered YNYCA a set of actionable insights grounded in the COM-B model to frame motivations and enablers to work. We also provided anonymised case studies and a set of recommendations to inform future policy, funding decisions, and service provision across the region. To share the research findings more widely, we delivered a webinar to YNY Inactivity Trailblazer partners and funders, which is available here. You can view a range of other webinars relating to the Trailblazer programme via the YNYCA website: https://interchange.yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/job-market-analysis/

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