Employment & Training Support

Employment, training, and volunteering can be a key part of recovery. They can help build confidence, routine, purpose, and long term stability.

On the Wirral, Employment & Training Support is delivered by The Growth Company through a specialist service called Recovery Works. This support is designed specifically for people who are in recovery or receiving support for substance use.

There is no expectation to be work ready straight away. Support is flexible, person centred, and shaped around what feels realistic for you.

How employment links with recovery

Substance use, unemployment, and long term health challenges are often closely connected. Many people face barriers such as low confidence, gaps in employment, health conditions, caring responsibilities, or previous involvement with the criminal justice system.

Employment and training support can help by:

  • Building confidence and self belief

  • Creating structure and routine

  • Developing skills and experience

  • Reducing isolation

  • Supporting independence and long term recovery

Recovery Works recognises that progress happens at different speeds for different people.

What is Recovery Works?

Recovery Works is a specialist employment and skills service for people in recovery on the Wirral. It supports people to explore work, education, training, and volunteering alongside their recovery journey.

The service is strengths based, supportive, and non judgemental. It focuses on what you want to achieve, not on pressure or targets.

Recovery Works can help you:

  • Explore interests, strengths, and goals

  • Build confidence around work or learning

  • Prepare for employment at your own pace

  • Access training, qualifications, or volunteering

  • Move into paid work when and if you are ready

Latest Employment & Training News

Recovery, Routine and a Way Forward: Josie’s Story

Recovery, Routine and a Way Forward: Josie’s Story

Josie was referred into Wirral Ways by Social Services and later supported by Recovery Works following a referral from her Recovery Coordinator. When Josie first engaged with the service, she had been unemployed since 2020 and described feeling overwhelmed and unable...

Finding the Right Work at the Right Time: Toby’s Story

Finding the Right Work at the Right Time: Toby’s Story

When Toby first engaged with Wirral Ways, he had been unemployed for around eight months and was keen to return to work but felt unsure about what direction to take. At that point, Toby was managing ongoing alcohol use alongside mental health difficulties, low...

Paul and Mark from Recovery Works smiling and holding mocktails with lime wedges at Nightingales Café, decorated with Wirral Ways and Dry January bunting.
Read more about Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
Read more about Education, Training and Employment (ETE)

Drop in at one of our drop ins

Wirral Ways, Market Street Hub

Tuesdays

10am – 12pm

Wirral Ways, Brighton Street Hub

Wednesdays

9:30am – 12pm

Flourish Wellbeing Hub, Wallasey

Thursdays

9am – 4pm

Nightingales Hub, Birkenhead

Monday – Friday

9:30am – 4pm

Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence based approach that helps people move into paid employment quickly, with the right support in place.

IPS is different from traditional employability programmes. It focuses on real jobs, based on your preferences, with ongoing support.

IPS support includes:

  • One to one employment specialist support

  • Help to find paid work that matches your interests

  • Support with applications and interviews

  • In work support once you start a job

  • Ongoing support for both you and your employer

  • Close working with your recovery and health support

IPS recognises that work can be part of recovery, not something that has to wait until everything else is “fixed”.

Education, Training and Employment (ETE)

Education, Training and Employment (ETE) support focuses on building skills, confidence, and experience as stepping stones towards work.

ETE may be right for you if you want to start with learning, qualifications, or volunteering.

ETE support can include:

  • Access to training courses or short qualifications

  • Support to return to education or learning

  • Volunteering opportunities to build experience

  • Help with CVs, applications, and interviews

  • Support to manage disclosure, gaps in employment, or criminal records

  • Confidence building and preparation for next steps

ETE allows you to build momentum gradually, in a way that supports your wellbeing.

Support that fits around recovery

Employment and training support through Recovery Works is delivered alongside your wider support at Wirral Ways. This means:

  • Joined up working with psychosocial and clinical teams

  • Support to balance work, training, and recovery

  • Help managing stress, triggers, or setbacks

  • Ongoing encouragement and problem solving

You are supported as a whole person, not just as a job seeker.

Who this support is for

Employment & Training Support is available to people who:

  • Are in recovery or receiving substance use support

  • Want to explore work, training, or volunteering

  • Feel unsure or anxious about returning to work

  • Want to build confidence and skills over time

  • Are not sure what their next step should be

You do not need recent work experience, qualifications, or a clear plan to get started.

Taking the next step

Work, training, or volunteering can open up new possibilities, but only when the time feels right for you.

If you would like to find out more about Recovery Works, IPS, or ETE support on the Wirral, speak to your Wirral Ways worker or get in touch to start a conversation about your options.

Last Updated on 19 February 2026