Lived-experience-led youth employment movement joins GMLPN to challenge systemic inequality and build inclusive pathways into work
RISE UP, a charity built from lived experience and rooted in community, has joined the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) – strengthening its mission to tackle youth unemployment by creating meaningful, supported routes into employment for marginalised young people.
Founded in 2019, RISE UP supports young people aged 16 – 30 who are furthest from the labour market – including those with care experience, a history of school exclusion, mental health challenges, contact with the justice system, or complex, intersectional disadvantage. A significant proportion of those supported are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and/or are neurodivergent.
To date, RISE UP has helped over 800 young people gain essential skills, and over 100 directly into work placements, apprenticeships, or progression opportunities across sectors such as construction, tech, green skills and the creative industries.
Backed by the Youth Futures Foundation, the UK Government’s What Works Centre for youth employment – RISE UP is part of the prestigious Evidence into Action portfolio, recognising its innovative, outcomes-focused approach to disrupting structural exclusion.
Chloe Ramsden, Partnership Manager at GMLPN, said:
“We are very pleased to have RISE UP join the Network. The consistently positive feedback they receive from employers, community partners, and the young people they support is a strong testament to their success in empowering youth. RISE UP has established meaningful partnerships with youth-focused and employment organisations, ensuring a support system that delivers impactful results.”
Roman Dibden, CEO of RISE UP, added:
“As someone who started out as an apprentice in Manchester, I know first-hand how powerful it is when someone believes in you. To now lead RISE UP and join the GMLPN network is a full-circle moment. This partnership is about more than collaboration – it’s about challenging the system. We want to prove that young people don’t need fixing. The system does. And together, we can build a Greater Manchester where no one is locked out of opportunity because of their postcode, background or mental health. At RISE UP, we’re not just running programmes. We’re building a movement.”
For more information on becoming a member of GMLPN, please email chloe.r@gmlpn.co.uk or visit our website www.gmlpn.co.uk .
