This chapter introduces this book by presenting the socio-economic situation in the North East of England, a region facing ongoing challenges due to the decline of traditional industries. It highlights the Building Better Opportunities (BBO) programme and Wise Steps, a key initiative within BBO, designed to address these regional issues through comprehensive, participant-centred support. This chapter outlines the rationale behind this research project, emphasising the significance of evidence-based evaluation and qualitative data analysis to capture participant experiences. Lastly, it provides a roadmap for the book, which explores the socio-economic background, the structure of Wise Steps, the methodology used, the analytical findings, and the conclusions of this study.