NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is to offer 30 paid work placements to parents across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as part of a major initiative aimed at reducing poverty and helping more parents into sustainable employment.
The health board has secured nearly £600,000 of Scottish Government funding announced through Bringing Hope, Building Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026-31 to create opportunities for parents facing some of the greatest barriers to work.
The placements, which will be offered in locations across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, will provide paid employment in roles including administration, catering, portering and other entry-level career pathways.
Parents who meet the programme criteria, including those with characteristics linked to an increased risk of poverty, will be supported into six or 12-month placements designed to help them gain valuable workplace experience, skills and confidence.
The six priority family groups that will be targeted for these placements are: lone-parent families and minority ethnic families, young mothers (under 25 years of age) and families with a baby under one year old, larger families with three or more children and families with a disabled adult or disabled child.
Mark Goldie, Workforce Employability Officer at NHSGGC and one of the driving forces behind the placements scheme, said: “Together, these six priority family groups account for around 90% of children living in poverty. We know many of these families face barriers related to income, the cost of living and access to services, which is why it is so important that we create opportunities that help parents move into sustainable employment and support a better future for themselves and their families.”
The initiative forms part of NHSGGC’s commitment as an anchor organisation, using its role as one of the region’s largest employers to create opportunities that benefit local communities and support wider social and economic wellbeing.
As an anchor organisation, NHSGGC is committed to acting on behalf of the communities and local areas it serves to positively benefit the population of Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Supporting local people into employment is one of its key areas of focus and forms an important part of the health board’s wider work to reduce inequalities and tackle poverty.
Recruitment of the 30 new placements will take place in a number of cohorts, with the first participants expected to begin work before the end of this year or in early 2027.
Each participant will receive tailored support throughout their placement, including access to dedicated job coaches who will help them identify longer-term employment opportunities and plan their next steps.
NHSGGC is aiming for at least half of those taking part to progress into permanent roles within the organisation, while others may choose to move into further education, training or employment elsewhere.
The programme will build on previous employability initiatives delivered by NHSGGC in partnership with Local Employability Partnerships.
One previous participant, Raiyan Mehmood, secured a placement with the Centre for Integrated Care at Gartnavel through an earlier employability pilot after struggling to find work following graduation.
Raiyan said: “Before joining the programme, I was finding it difficult to get my foot in the door and gain the experience employers were looking for. The placement gave me the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence and become part of a supportive team.
“It showed me that a career with the NHS was something I could achieve, and I would encourage anyone who is eligible for these new placements to consider applying.”
Mark Goldie added: “These new placements will offer meaningful, paid work experience within the NHS, alongside practical support, mentoring and career guidance. Our goal is not simply to provide a temporary job, but to help people take the next step towards long-term, sustainable employment.
“As one of the region’s largest employers, we have an important role to play in supporting our communities, reducing inequalities and creating opportunities for local people. This programme is a practical example of how we can use our position as an anchor organisation to make a positive difference.”
NHSGGC will work closely with Local Employability Partnerships in each local authority area to identify suitable candidates and provide additional support where required, including help with issues such as childcare, travel costs and other barriers that can prevent people from accessing employment.
For more information on working with NHSGGC, visit Careers with NHSGGC.
For more information on NHSGGC’s work as an anchor organisation, visit NHSGGC Areas of Focus.
