The Boost service was launched in 2015 reports Sophie Mitchell

Barnet Council’s employment, skills and digital inclusion service BOOST, is celebrating its tenth birthday this year.

BOOST was launched in 2015 to test a new approach to employment support with the aim of helping residents find work or develop skills for the job market. In partnership with The Barnet Group, the service has supported more than 6,200 residents and helped over 3,300 people into work over the past ten years. Last financial year, BOOST helped 388 residents into employment, more than half of those who registered for support.

As a part of their job support programme, the Barnet Council Digital Inclusion Programme has made an effort to tackle digital exclusion. They hold digital workshops run by volunteers and reduced cost sim card schemes for residents who would benefit from greater knowledge of the digital world. BOOST also provides benefits and housing advice drop-in sessions, supported Ukrainian refugees, worked with World Jewish Relief and won multiple awards.

In the year ending December 2023, 26.4% of Barnet’s population aged 16 to 64 (around 68,300 people), were economically inactive. This was an increase from the year ending December 2022, where 24.3% were economically inactive. This rate is higher compared to London or Great Britain as a whole.

In Great Britain, 21.2% of people aged 16 to 64 years were economically inactive, compared with 21.5% in the previous year. In London, 21.4% of 16 to 64 year olds were economically inactive during the year ending December 2023, an increase compared with the year ending December 2022 when 20.2% were economically inactive.

Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings said: “BOOST continues to make a real difference for people across Barnet, highlighting the council’s commitment to creating opportunities and tackling barriers to employment.”

The Barnet Group’s Head of Partnerships, David Thomas, said: “The essence of the BOOST approach is collaborative working; this is how the service has been able to sustain itself over 10 years and adapt to so many social and economic changes.”

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