Unemployment in South Yorkshire is being tackled head-on this year thanks to a new partnership between rural broadband provider Quickline and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF). This collaboration promises to deliver targeted support for individuals and organisations across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
At the heart of this initiative is the creation of the QFutures Community Fund, financed by Quickline. The fund will award grants to organisations dedicated to addressing unemployment among adults over 30. This investment will also extend the life of SYCF’s acclaimed Moving On Up (MOU) programme, which has successfully supported individuals aged 30 and under since its launch three years ago.
Michelle Dickinson, head of philanthropy and programmes at SYCF, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating: “The employment landscape remains a growing problem for UK employers, educators and, particularly, our young people. SYCF’s vision to inspire and prepare people for the fast-changing world of work mirrors Quickline’s own ambitions to address unemployment in the region.
“Working together, with a shared passion for making a difference, this new partnership will build on the huge success of our Moving On Up programme by providing even more opportunities to connect people with businesses by helping remove barriers to employment.”
The MOU programme, launched following SYCF’s 2021 Vital Signs research, has already awarded close to £300,000 to 24 groups across South Yorkshire. Grants of up to £15,000 have been used to deliver multi-year support for young people aged 14 to 30, improving employability, skills and access to meaningful job opportunities.
Julie Holmes, Social Values Manager at Quickline, expressed her pride in the initiative, adding: “At Quickline, we’re passionate about more than just connecting people to broadband – we’re committed to connecting communities to opportunities. Our investment in South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation reflects our dedication to tackling unemployment and supporting those who need it most in the region. By working with SYCF, we’re helping to create brighter futures for both young people and adults, driving real, lasting change where it’s needed most.”
This partnership is part of Quickline’s broader social values programme, launched under the UK government’s Project Gigabit. Alongside their community investment, Quickline is expanding full-fibre broadband access to rural areas, with the aim of connecting 170,000 homes and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
With SYCF already supporting over 400 groups through £1.7m of funding in the past year, this collaboration is hope to amplify efforts to reduce unemployment and create sustainable opportunities for South Yorkshire communities – something we can all get behind.
For more information, visit www.quickline.co.uk or www.sycf.org.uk.
