Working together to end homelessness through employment
NEON exists with one shared aim: To reduce the risk of homelessness through supportive, sustainable employment.
NEON (New Employment Opportunities Network) is a business-led cross sector partnership unlocking sustainable jobs and strengthening pathways into employment for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
By connecting employers with unlocked talent, NEON helps businesses build stronger, more resilient workforces and strengthen retention – while enabling young people to build the foundation for a stable, independent future.
NEON is built on a simple belief: if someone can work, wants to work and is safe to work – they should have the opportunity to do so. Our ambition is to make supportive, sustained hiring of people at risk of homelessness business as usual across the UK.
How you can get involved
Employers, you can play a vital role by:
- Offering permanent job opportunities (ideally entry-level), with support
- Providing work experience, placements or trial shifts
- Supporting mentoring, coaching or workplace visits
- Sharing your expertise and helping shape local solutions
Even if you are not ready to hire, there are meaningful ways to contribute.
Employability partners, charities and public sector organisations you can:
- Join NEON as a local partner
- Support individuals to become job-ready
- Help provide wraparound support that enables long-term success
Find your local NEON
NEON is being scaled across Homewards key flagship locations and will be chaired in each location by an established business leader who is building a locally led network of employers and partners, with tailored support and opportunities.
Explore NEON’s employer toolkits in your area:
What is NEON?
As a business-led network, NEON will work collaboratively with local organisations and employers to unlock new employment opportunities for young people.
NEON brings together:
- Employers and business leaders
- Public services (including employment and housing support)
- Voluntary and community organisations
NEON will work to strengthen ways into work, provide strong wraparound support leading to and during early employment and improve sustainability of job opportunities.
Why employment matters?
Stable work not only provides an income but also creates a stable foundation by offering:
- Structure and routine
- Confidence and purpose
- Connection and belonging
Yet too often, people at risk of homelessness face invisible barriers that prevent them from accessing or sustaining work.
NEON exists to help remove those barriers, through collaboration to create opportunities that work for both young people and businesses.
How NEON works
NEON is a practical, locally-led way of connecting people to jobs and supporting them to succeed.
In each location, NEON will:
- Bring employers together to open up inclusive, sustainable job opportunities
- Connect businesses with trusted organisations who prepare and support candidates
- Match individuals to appropriate roles based on readiness, skills and support needs
- Provide ongoing support to both employers and employees to help roles succeed
This collaborative approach helps ensure that opportunities are not just created but sustained over time.
Get in touch
Whether you’re ready to take action now or just want to explore how NEON could work for you, please get in touch: homewards@royalfoundation.com