A newly released video highlights the transformative impact of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) across Shropshire since 2022. It showcases how strategic investment in people and skills has helped hundreds of residents overcome barriers and move closer to employment.

Replacing previous ERDF funding, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was designed to build pride in place and increase life chances. With three core investment priorities — Supporting Local Business, Community and Place, and People and Skills — the video focuses on the latter, capturing the stories, partnerships, and outcomes that have shaped the programme’s success.

Over 65 programmes have been funded across all 3 priorities by UK Shared Prosperity funding. Of the 5 programmes supported under the People and Skills priority, all were tailored to meet local employer needs and support individuals in gaining confidence, skills, and access to work.

Among the initiatives featured are:

• Brightstar Boxing, in collaboration with Energize, Shrewsbury Town in the Community, Shropshire Cricket Board, and Embrace PE, used physical activity and classroom learning to build workplace confidence, promote wellbeing, and develop basic skills.
• The Skills Hub, run by the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, offered a wide range of courses and qualifications to help people upskill or change careers.
• The School of Coding addressed an identified digital skills gap, financial literacy, and introduced learners to AI.
• Multiply, led by Shrewsbury College, supported individuals lacking confidence in numeracy, attracting participants from diverse age groups and backgrounds.
• Enable, a Shropshire-based supported employment service, helped over 410 people since 2023 to find and maintain meaningful employment through job coaching, interview preparation, and employer engagement.

The video also features heartfelt interviews with beneficiaries, one of whom described their experience as “one of the most beneficial things I have done.”

Amy Farley, UKSPF Technical Officer for People and Skills at Shropshire Council, praised the collaborative effort saying that the funding has “delivered something for Shropshire people to enhance their life.”

Cllr Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Economic Growth said,

“This video showcases the genuine difference the People and Skills allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has made throughout Shropshire. It truly demonstrates how partnership, community spirit, and focused investment can come together to drive lasting positive change.”

Watch the video

Further information

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a fund allocated by the UK government and managed by local authorities in partnership with local stakeholders. Its purpose is to replace the funding previously provided by Europe and to address inequalities between communities.

The overarching objective of the fund is to build pride in place and increase life chances. The programme includes 3 investment priorities:

• Supporting Local Business
• Community and Place
• People and Skills

The People & Skills priority focused on lowering employment barriers and aiding individuals in securing jobs and education. It also advocated targeting local skills funding to boost employment and regional growth.

Recently, Shropshire was awarded a further £1,431,774 capital and £2,892,904 revenue funding for 2025/6 enabling many of the projects and initiatives to continue for another year.

For more information about the fund see https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/

For more information about the projects supported by the fund in Shropshire see https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-projects/