Rise 2 Thrive Trailblazer
Empowering ambitions, removing barriers, and supporting enterprise across York and North Yorkshire.
Rise to Thrive Trailblazer is an inclusive programme designed to support individuals who are economically inactive or facing significant challenges to self-employment or career progression. Delivered in partnership and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Mayoral Combined Authority, this project forms part of the wider Economic Inactivity Trailblazer initiative and runs from May 2025 through to March 2026.
Through Rise to Thrive Trailblazer, we provide expert, wrap-around support to help participants explore, start, or grow their self-employment ventures. Our mission is to ensure that everyone—regardless of their background or circumstances—has the opportunity to realise their potential and thrive.
Who we support
This programme is specifically tailored to support adults in York and North Yorkshire who are:
- Not currently in work (economically inactive)
- Experiencing long-term health conditions or mental health challenges
- Living in rural or coastal communities
- Aged between 16–24 or 50–64
- In work, experiencing barriers
Our offer
As a keyworker and intervention partner, we provide a combination of one-to-one mentoring and small group sessions, offered both in-person and virtually to meet individual needs. We focus not only on self-employment skills but also on tackling broader barriers to progress—such as finances, mental health, housing, and wellbeing.
Participants will benefit from support in areas such as:
- Exploring and validating business ideas
- Business planning and strategy
- Marketing planning and execution
- Social media and Canva training
- Website development guidance
- Logo and business card design
- Financial forecasting, bookkeeping, and HMRC registration
- Self-employment tax returns and navigating the benefits system
- Sourcing and applying for grants
Beyond the basics
Once on the programme, participants also gain access to a vibrant entrepreneurial community through:
- Monthly in-person networking sessions
- Opportunities to pitch and sell products via our Explore Indie shop
- Access to additional business training and development opportunities
Our impact
Rise to Thrive Trailblazer is more than just business support. It’s a holistic, people-first programme aimed at improving confidence, wellbeing, and financial independence to reach their entrepreneurial goals. By addressing the wider challenges people face, we help build stronger futures—where individuals can truly thrive in life and in work.
