Key Facts

Working Links was founded in 2000 and operates in 144 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. It is a unique organisation that delivers services to tackle social exclusion and poverty by helping disadvantaged individuals and communities.

 

The organisation’s belief that employment is the best route out of poverty has helped over 130,000 people back into work which is one person every seven minutes of the working day.

 

It is a public-private-voluntary company. Its shareholders are the government’s Shareholder Executive, Manpower, Capgemini and Mission Australia. It delivers effective solutions by working in partnership with organisations including the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, and the Probation Service.

 

Profit is not Working Links’ only driving force. Its shareholders endorse its social purpose and are interested in how Working Links can create long term value, investing in the quality of services and the communities where it operates.  

 

Working Links helps and supports people who face significant challenges and barriers such as those who have been unemployed for a long time to former offenders, lone parents and older workers. It also works with employers and the prison and probation services to help prisoners in over 20 institutions.

Person walking past a Working Links sign

By helping the most vulnerable in society to improve their skills and help them move into jobs with a future, Working Links can create a greater sense of social inclusion. This leads to better health, education, reduced crime and brighter futures.

 

When Working Links was founded in April 2000 their shareholders decided a proportion of profits should be reinvested to support the communities where works. The Links Foundation was subsequently launched in 2004 as a charitable trust to distribute this Community Reinvestment Fund. Since then, more than £1.7million has been invested. And more than 137 projects across Britain have benefited.