A new programme has been launched to support economically inactive residents living in Northumberland – people who are not in employment or seeking work – to help them make positive life changes.
The Solid Foundations programme will help people with complex or multiple challenges get back into work by adapting support and activities to their individual needs.
Participants will receive support across various areas, ranging from one-to-one mentoring, job application advice, skills courses, help with budgeting, and health and wellbeing service, giving people the foundations needed to find good work.
Solid Foundations is led by Citizens Advice Northumberland delivering as Thriving Together Northumberland – with Cygnus Support, Northern Learning Trust, Community Action Northumberland, Northumberland Community & Voluntary Action, and Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre as delivery partners.
Speaking at the opening of Solid Foundations at Newbiggin Maritime Centre North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “My job as Mayor is to secure the resources we need to create as many jobs as possible for the North of Tyne.
“Our £1 million Solid Foundations mentoring scheme is for people who’ve not had the smoothest path in life. It will help with a CV, confidence skills or perhaps training to unlock new career opportunities so that everyone can have access to a well-paid job.”
LTR Paul Robinson Citizens Advice Northumberland, Sharron Fawcett Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre, Caroline Rogan Northumberland Community and Voluntary Action, Nicola Duffy, Thriving Together, Gill Smith, Northern Learning Trust, Kay Harrington-Kemper Thriving Together and Andy Watmough, Cygnus Support
Kay Harrington Kemper, Project Manager for Thriving Together Northumberland said: “We are delighted to receive funding from North of Tyne Combined Authority to help us strengthen employment support services in the area.
“Northumberland has some fantastic voluntary and community organisations, but as a large rural county, projects such as Solid Foundations are essential to ensure these organisations effectively reach those who need support the most”.
“The guiding principle of Solid Foundations is recognising the barriers people face. We believe that to give individuals a real chance to progress in life these barriers must be removed.
“Solid Foundations has been designed to meet each person’s specific needs and provide personal support. We also address deeper problems such as debt, mental health issues, physical health, disability, literacy, numeracy, addiction, past offending and self-belief.
“This approach ensures that individuals have a better chance of succeeding with what they want to achieve”.
If you would like to find out more about the service, you can contact the Thriving Together team by email: admin@thrivingtogethernorthumberland.org.uk
Solid Foundations is funded by the UK Government through the UKPSF with the NTCA as the lead authority. Projects are funded until 31 March 2025. For further information contact: peopleskills.ukspf@northoftyne-ca.gov.uk.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
