FEATURE
The change and progress Richard experienced saw him applying for a role with Step Forward Tees Valley itself and he was successful in gaining employment .
While at first his role was on a limitedhours contract , Richard did such a good job that his hours quickly increased to more than 30 hours a week .
Richard said : “ I always wanted to do something with technology , so this job ’ s ideal . I work on the laptop , I go to all the group sessions and get the views and opinions from participants and do reports .
“ It ’ s a big relief not to sign on any more ! I really enjoy it . I like getting involved with the participants on a regular basis and it ’ s rewarding to see people make progress .
“ If it wasn ’ t for what Step Forward Tees Valley did to help me , I don ’ t think I would be where I am today . They do an amazing job .”
Step Forward Tees Valley has had amazing support from businesses and employers over the past seven years .
As the programme has worked to change employers ’ perceptions of the unemployed and economically inactive it has gathered data that shows a 328 per cent improvement in this area .
Engaging with more than 340 employers in the Tees Valley has been important , as many have been able to provide work placements and opportunities that have then led to participants being offered permanent roles .
A fantastic example of this is Ewa , one of Step Forward Tees Valley ’ s successful participants .
Ewa moved to the UK with her family in 2015 , but childcare commitments meant she didn ’ t have time to work . However , as her children got older , Ewa decided she wanted to get a job , but she lacked the confidence to take the next step .
After meeting with her Step Forward Tees Valley navigator , she worked on her confidence and finally found herself ready to apply for jobs .
Ewa attended a mock interview session provided by Marks & Spencer and impressed the panel so much that she was offered a two-week work placement . After her trial period , Ewa was offered a part-time contract with the famous retail outlet .
Step Forward Tees Valley ’ s impressive achievements have been recognised both locally and nationally and have seen it nominated for , and winning , a raft of awards since 2016 .
On a local level , the programme saw itself being highly commended in the Helping People Learn Business and Improving Our Neighbourhoods Business categories at Middlesbrough ’ s Civic Community Awards in 2021 . It also walked away with the award for best Health and Wellbeing Business .
Further recognition came in 2022 , when Step Forward Tees Valley was a finalist in the Exceptional Care category at Darlington Borough Council ’ s Stronger Communities Awards , and a finalist in the Charity / Voluntary category in the Tees Businesswomen Awards .
Nationally , Step Forward Tees Valley was honoured to be named the winner in the Employment Related Services Association ’ s Employability Awards , as the team was crowned Team of the Year – Hardest Hit category – awarded for the work they have done with hardest hit communities .
In 2023 , Step Forward Tees Valley is a finalist for the Community Champion honour at the Tees Business Awards .
So , as the programme comes to an end , what next for Step Forward Tees Valley ?
Unfortunately , the answer is not clear at the moment . The replacement for European Social Fund funding comes in the form of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund .
In the Tees Valley , this fund is administered by the Tees Valley Combined Authority but , at the time of writing , the tender process for this has not yet been announced .
Work behind the scenes at Humankind Charity has been ongoing to ensure that a strong bid is ready when the funding is announced .
As a proven partnership with a track record of success , Step Forward Tees
140 | Tees Business