Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership launches Bounce Back Employability Programme for Young People
Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership (LMP) has launched the new Bounce Back Programme - an innovative initiative aimed at supporting young people who are not currently engaged in education, employment, or training in the Mid Ulster area.
Funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
The programme, which has been supported by The Executive Office, funded through its District Council Good Relations Programme, in partnership with Mid Ulster District Council, will be delivered by Insight Solutions and AB Coaching, and will offer a fresh, evidence-based approach to improving mental health and boosting employability.
Through the programme 20 places are available to participants who meet the following criteria: are residents in the Mid Ulster District Council area, are aged 18 to 24 years old, and who, due to a mental health issue, are currently unemployed or long-term unemployed, not in education or training, and/or economically inactive.
The Bounce Back Programme will provide targeted mental health support, alongside practical tools and exercises, to help young people overcome barriers to employment caused by conditions such as anxiety, depression, and neurodiverse conditions.
By focusing on mental wellbeing, the programme will help participants regain confidence and re-enter the workforce or return to education, creating meaningful opportunities for those most at risk of long-term unemployment.
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Eugene McConnell, welcomed the innovative Bounce Back Programme, saying:
I am delighted that the Council, through its Labour Market Partnership, is able to provide such an important and pioneering programme that will make a real difference to the lives of young adults in our communities. The Bounce Back Programme is designed to offer participants the tools they need to break down the mental health barriers that are preventing them from entering the workforce, providing them with the support required to take the next step toward employment or education. I would encourage anyone who is eligible and interested to apply now.
Fergal O'Donnell, Director, Insight Solutions, said, “Insight Solutions and AB Coaching are thrilled to be partnering with the Mid Ulster Labour Market Partnership on the Bounce Back Programme. We believe that mental health is a critical component in enabling young people to successfully navigate their journey back into education, employment, or training.
“This programme offers a unique, holistic approach to addressing the mental health challenges faced by many young people in Mid Ulster, and we are excited to support them in overcoming these barriers. Together with Mid Ulster LMP, we are committed to creating a positive and lasting impact for the young people who need it most.”
Damian Power, Chair of the Mid Ulster LMP, added, “We are excited to work with Insight Solutions and the local Jobs and Benefits offices on the Bounce Back Programme, a vital initiative that addresses both the mental health and employability challenges faced by young people in Mid Ulster. This partnership is a key part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the support they need to succeed, and we look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that this programme will bring to the young people of our community.”
If you think you, or a young adult you know, could benefit from the Bounce Back Programme, please contact Fergal and the Bounce Back team on, email: bouncebackmidulster@gmail.com or phone/text/WhatsApp 07713 623264, for more information or to register interest. Spaces are limited, so be quick to secure your place.