Progress Futures roundup | Summer 2025
Our Progress Futures Team shares an update on what has been happening over the past few months and what is to come:
Green space volunteering programme
Progress Housing Group is working in partnership with our contractors, who have committed to providing social value opportunities for our tenants, and with local community groups and organisations who have received funding through our Community Investment Fund to deliver community-based projects in local areas.
Six-week volunteering garden transformation programme with Green Space Transformations UK CIC in Freckleton
- 5 volunteer spaces available *priority will be given to tenants and their household members
- 6-week volunteer programme through Green Space Transformation Academy
- 2 days on project; one day project delivery and one day theory which will be delivered in a community setting close to the location
Please register your interest by – 14 July 2025 by emailing futures@progressgroup.org.uk or call or text 07976 812535. Read more here: Tenant opportunities | Progress Housing Group
New courses
Are you interested in learning more about first aid, or food safety? Or looking to expand your knowledge and skills in another area?
The Progress Futures Team is exploring options for training courses with local training providers, and we are keen to hear from tenants who may be interested in these types of courses or similar.
Please contact the Progress Futures Team for further information, or to discuss the types of courses you are interested in.
Introduction to Business Admin and IT course
We recently invited tenants to take part in a 10-day fully funded course led by Skills People Group to learn about business and information technology. The aim of the course, which was held at The Place Community Centre in Leyland, was to help boost individuals' skills and increase their employability. Those who completed the course were gifted with a digital device at the end.
Tenants learnt about:
- principles of personal performance and development
- business communication and administration
- how to work in a business environment
- how to produce business documents
- how to store and retrieve information
- how to use digital devices online responsibly; health and safety.
Apprenticeships
We launched our Apprenticeship Programme for 2025, offering trades apprenticeships within our Property Services teams.
We welcomed 42 brilliant prospective apprentices for our apprenticeship assessment events – and they absolutely impressed us with their capability, enthusiasm, and potential.
From practical tasks to interviews, it was inspiring to see so many young people stepping forward with confidence and commitment. We want to thank everyone involved in planning, supporting and assessing – it was a real team effort.
Project SEARCH
This year’s Project SEARCH interns completed their final rotation within the Group in June. They celebrated their success with a graduation event at Fox Lane Cricket Club in Leyland with colleagues from Progress Housing Group and partners from Runshaw College, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.
Following the recruitment event earlier in the year, seven young people were offered a place on the next programme, which is due to start in September. The new interns visited our Sumner House office in Leyland for a familiarisation day to meet colleagues and find out more about the programme. We look forward to welcoming them into the business in November for their first rotations.
Job Clubs
Progress Futures job clubs are held on a regular basis, are free to attend and open to all members of the community.
We offer access to laptops, Wi-Fi, tea, coffee and support from the team should you need it.
These are:
- Fortnightly Mondays – 1am – 12pm – South Hey Community Centre, South Hey, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes, FY8 4BD.
- Wednesdays - 10am to 12pm – The Family Hub and The Zone, West Paddock, Leyland, PR25 1HR
- Thursdays - 10am to 12pm - The Base on Broadfield II Community Centre, Bannister Drive, Leyland, PR25 2GD
- Fortnightly Fridays - 9.30am to 11.30am (first and third Friday) - Christian Community Larder, St Aidan’s Community Hub, Station Road, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6QR
For more information on any of the opportunities here, please contact the Progress Futures Team, by emailing futures@progressgroup.org.uk or call or text 07976 812535.