Ballymena man Colin Falls
In Northern Ireland, over one in four working-age adults are economically inactive — a sobering statistic that places the region among the highest in the UK. Mid and East Antrim alone accounts for 7% of this figure. But a new employment initiative is helping to turn these figures around, one person at a time.
Launched in 2023, the Prosper programme is a forward-thinking response to economic inactivity and inequality. By offering person-centred support tailored to individual needs, Prosper is helping people from all walks of life overcome the barriers preventing them from finding meaningful employment.
For Ballymena man Colin Falls, Prosper became a lifeline during what he describes as one of the most difficult chapters in his life.
Having spent years working as a care assistant in Liverpool, Colin returned to Northern Ireland to care for his mother during her final months. After she passed away, he found himself battling isolation, depression, and long-term unemployment, despite actively seeking jobs.
“I was beginning to wonder if it was due to my age, and I was starting to feel really worried that it wasn’t going to work out, but I didn’t want to be defeatist,” said Colin.
After seven months of job hunting without success, Colin reached out to Prosper, which is led by Triangle Progression to Employment Service and supported by local organisations including Access Employment Limited, Appleby Trust, CAN, and Stepping Stones NI.
He was referred to Triangle’s employment programme in partnership with McDonald’s, a tailored initiative that matches candidates to suitable roles based on their personal strengths and life circumstances.
“I took part in the programme through Prosper and felt like they really looked at me like a human,” Colin said.
“They made sure I was being offered a role that suited me rather than trying to fit me into a box. You have to take the chance, but Prosper doesn’t make you risk being worse off. The team support you and it’s built around your strengths and needs.”
Thanks to the support and guidance he received, Colin was not only able to return to work — he has since been promoted to Supervisor. He now speaks openly about the sense of pride and purpose he has found in his new role.
“It has changed my life. I couldn’t recommend it more to others.”
Colin’s journey is just one of many demonstrating Prosper’s commitment to helping individuals move forward — whether they’re returning to the workforce after raising children, recovering from illness, managing disabilities, or retraining after redundancy.
Gerard Haughey, Employment Services Manager at Triangle, said:
“Colin’s journey is an inspiring example of what’s possible when employment support is delivered with empathy, flexibility, and a real understanding of the challenges people face. We’re incredibly proud to see him thriving in his new role and using his experience to lead others.”
Northern Ireland continues to grapple with high levels of economic inactivity — nearly 26% of its working-age population, compared to 21% in the UK overall. But initiatives like Prosper are offering not just hope, but real-world results for people across the region.
For more information about the Prosper programme and how it could help you or someone you know, visit www.prosperni.com.