The Wise Group

🎙️ "Fit for Purpose" Podcast with our CEO and the Rt Hon. Justine Greening 🎙️ We’re excited to share that our CEO Sean Duffy recently joined Justine Greening on the Fit for Purpose podcast, where they explored what “going the extra mile” truly means for the Wise Group. Over the past year, our work has never mattered more and our commitment has focused on evidence based Relational Mentoring - supporting people, in place, facing significant challenges, especially in the justice system. As Sean shared, it’s that additional support, beyond financial stability, that changes lives. 🗣️ Cash can stabilise a situation, but it's the additional support, like Relational Mentoring, that changes the trajectory of households. The last mile is the most difficult, but the most impactful 🗣️ In most cases, we're not talking about policy; we're talking about appetite 🗣️ It's easy to say, it’s difficult to do.   Their conversation also highlighted the power of data in showing real social impact and tracking meaningful outcomes. From tackling fuel poverty to breaking down employment barriers, the Wise Group’s work shows that lasting change happens when we engage at every level. It’s a powerful reminder that going the extra mile has a profound and far-reaching impact, strengthening individuals and communities alike. #RelationalMentoring #SocialImpact #FuelPoverty #EmploymentSupport #communityjustice The Purpose Coalition

🔥 COLLABORATING TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE AND IMPACTFUL CHANGE WITH SGN FOR COMMUNITIES IN FALKIRK 🔥 The Wise Group has partnered with SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, to provide targeted energy support to vulnerable communities in Falkirk. With nearly a third of households in fuel poverty and 16% of residents living in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas, this initiative addresses energy affordability, efficiency, and safety. The goal? To deliver personalised support through relational mentoring to 1,200 households, making sure nobody has to choose between heating or eating and can a reach positive destination, where fuel poverty is not at the forefront. 💙 Learn more about it below! 👇 https://lnkd.in/eHSzhNFp

🔵 CATCH US ON THE RADIO 🔵 In the UK, employability is such a critical piece of the puzzle, yet current strategies often fall into the same patterns as before. While it’s great to see this issue on the political agenda, we need to focus on what actually works to address the root causes, not just the symptoms. At the Wise Group, we’ve always championed a more holistic approach, one that doesn’t just stop at financial aid but looks at the full spectrum of support that individuals and families need to move out of poverty. From what we’ve seen on the ground, initiatives like Relational Mentoring can lead to real, measurable outcomes. The key is making sure that resources are used smarter, not just increased, and that we cut through the red tape to focus on real impact. Team lead, Alison, talks about her hopes for the governments budget on BBC Radio 4 PM, where innovative change is at the heart of lifting people out of poverty and back into work. 💙 You can see the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/epMjtjKZ BBC #Employability #RelationalMentoring #Innovation

Insight and solutions that shift the dial 🌟 Last month we got together with new elected members and our partners in the House of Commons to launch the first report of our "Commission into Breaking Down Barriers to Employment" with The Purpose Coalition. We heard from our front line about experiences in vulnerable households and what's working to tackle poverty, especially child poverty, through better employability provision. In the UK, employability is such a critical piece of the puzzle, yet current strategies often fall into the same patterns as before. While it’s great to see this issue on the political agenda, we need to focus on what actually works to address the root causes, not just the symptoms. At the Wise Group, we’ve always championed a more holistic approach, one that doesn’t just stop at financial aid but looks at the full spectrum of support that individuals and families need to move out of poverty. From what we’ve seen on the ground, initiatives like Relational Mentoring can lead to real, measurable outcomes. The key is making sure that resources are used smarter, not just increased, and that we cut through the red tape to focus on real impact. A huge thank you to Rt Hon. Justine Greening, Lord Walney, all the elected representatives and partners who joined us and contributed to this vital conversation. The way forward isn’t about spending more - it’s about using what we have in ways that really make a difference. Lots more to do! Sean Duffy Jacqueline Gourlay Alex Warren Suzanne McWilliams Hamish Robertson Elaine Ravenhall Sean D. Yotta Karanicolas Richard Campbell John Maddison Christina Brown #childpoverty #socialimpact #employability https://lnkd.in/eZtkyfF9

It was our pleasure to work alongside our colleagues at Home Energy Scotland and with Glasgow City Council to make homes warmer and more energy efficient in Pollok, through a Heat in Buildings: Area Based Scheme (HiBs: ABS). 🙌 Throughout the duration of this project, our mentors supplied energy advice and support to those looking for the insulation offered, assisting with referrals and being a point of contact for any queries. Our mentors thoroughly enjoyed working on this project and cannot wait to see the outcomes that these warmer homes will have on individuals and families in this community. Through collaboration, we can go the distance to help reduce fuel costs, reduce fuel poverty, and help individuals reach positive destinations. 💙 Read all about the project here: https://lnkd.in/eGN7pkN8 #HEAT #RelationalMentoring #FuelPoverty

Our New Routes service uses our relational mentoring approach to support customers in the Justice System. Customers work together with mentors with lived experience to identify goals, what they need support with and to create an action plan to get them to those positive destinations. Our tailored support helps individuals overcome some of the barriers they may be facing on their release, leading to positive change and stopping reoffending. Hear about some of the work that we do with customers on the service, the goals we set to achieve and some of our customer stories, all narrated by our wonderful mentor, Davie! 💙🤩Now that's a #WiseWinWednesday! #Justice #RelationalMentoring #Rehabilitation

This #ThrowbackThursday, we are reflecting on the impact of our relational mentoring approach on those going through the Justice system. Through kindness, collaboration, and #GoingTheDistance, we can lower reoffending, rehabilitate people back into their communities, and help people reach #PositiveDestinations. See what our customers and partners have to say👉 https://lnkd.in/eeynKTBZ Scottish Prison Service Police Scotland

🔵EXCITING UPDATE 🔵 The Wise Group is proud to announce the launch of our Remand Pilot, designed to achieve meaningful outcomes for vulnerable individuals transitioning from remand to community life. This innovative service addresses both the short-term and long-term needs of those in the criminal justice system, ensuring they receive the guidance and resources required for a successful reintegration into society. We are proud to partner with the Scottish Prison Service and Fife Council. Our team lead, Julie, standing outside HMP Perth, tells us about the pilot in the video below. 📽️ Learn more about the pilot on our website: https://lnkd.in/e33sUYw7

This week is Challenge Poverty Week, a week that aims to highlight the injustice of poverty in wealthy Scotland! #ChallengePoverty #CPW24 The Poverty Alliance Today's theme is #Housing. Our #WiseCommunityMentoring project with Places for People, is a project supporting people facing eviction to stay in their homes through relational mentoring support. Our mentors can help with a range of issues people may be facing, from debt, unemployment, to mental health and social exclusion. Helping people to stay in their tenancies does more than just keep a roof over someone's head. It keeps families together, children in school and can get people feeling confident enough to achieve their goals and be a part of their community again. In 2023-24, we supported 109 individuals and their families at risk of eviction. 97% of households supported have maintained their tenancies, with nobody being evicted. Our support meant that 100% of those we worked with did not have to face eviction from their homes. In the photos below, see our colleagues and partners at a recent event, discussing the impact of our relational mentoring approach on housing. To learn more about this project and the support we provide, see our recent Wise Community Mentoring report on our website. https://lnkd.in/eg98_-gz #RelationalMentoring #WiseCommunityMentoring #Housing

💡We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new Wise Group - The Purpose Coalition Report: Breaking Down Barriers to Employment Opportunity.💡 In collaboration with the Purpose Coalition, this report dives deep into the urgent issues facing the UK’s employment landscape, from long-term sickness and economic inactivity to the persistent challenges of fuel poverty, justice, and employability. At the Wise Group, we believe that every person deserves the chance to thrive. This report highlights the key barriers that continue to hold people back—particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic minorities, young people, and those living with disabilities. But it’s not just about identifying challenges; we’re also outlining holistic, scalable solutions that empower communities, support sustainable employment, and promote economic empowerment. 🔵 Through initiatives like relational mentoring, targeted employability support, and innovations in digital mentoring, we’re driving meaningful change. 💙 See the full report on our website 👇 https://lnkd.in/eg98_-gz #Employment #RelationalMentoring #Collaboration