Businesses in York have been called upon to spearhead a new employability initiative aimed at tackling rising mental health challenges and unemployment.

At the annual stakeholder event for social action charity York Cares, business leaders were urged to support the Trailblazer Programme. The initiative provides workshops, mentoring, and work experience to help jobseekers overcome barriers such as low confidence and isolation.

The event, held at Aviva’s York headquarters, highlighted the link between long-term unemployment and poor mental health. Speakers from Menfulness and York Monkgate Jobcentre noted that self-doubt and anxiety remain the primary obstacles for many individuals entering the workforce.

Jamie Kew-Robson, Chair of York Cares and Head of Assurance at Aviva, used the event to announce that York Cares has been named the Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year for 2026/27.

He said: “York’s business community has the ability and responsibility to be a driving force for change. [I urge] organisations to actively support York Cares and its Trailblazer programme through volunteering, mentoring and work experience opportunities.”

The charity is now seeking more regional partners to offer job shadowing and inclusive recruitment pathways. The programme has already received financial backing from local firms, including Portakabin, which helped raise £20,000 to mark the charity's 20th anniversary.

Leanne Shaw, Operations Manager at York Cares, said: “Work experience placements not only help individuals rebuild confidence and gain practical skills but also provide businesses with a valuable pipeline of future talent. We’d love more businesses to get involved in the Trailblazer workshops, offer work experience or job shadowing opportunities, and champion inclusive recruitment practices.”