New Start South Tyneside is an initiative supported by South Tyneside Council that offers paid work placements designed to support residents back into employment. It provides wraparound support, real wages, and opportunities for people through local employer partnerships.
The programme works with the local business community to identify suitable vacancies. Pre-recruitment support helps candidates explore roles; provides interview preparation support; and helps breaking down any barriers or concerns to applying for a role such as childcare, travel or confidence. In work support is then provided which can also offer the opportunity to undertake a free qualification linked to the job role.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative has supported over 250 individuals. One of the successful placements this year was made at Billy’s Lifeline, a South Tyneside based charity dedicated to supporting families and loved ones impacted by suicide loss.
Emily Maughan from South Shields was appointed to the role as a Support Worker. Emily said:
“I love the opportunity it’s given me. I work with people who have been bereaved due to suicide. It’s like customer service but much more personal. I always thought I’d be good at something like that as people like to talk to me, but I didn’t know I could do it as a career.
“It’s made me feel brilliant. The knowledge New Start gives you is so helpful. They take you through everything step by step and go at your own pace. It’s given me my confidence back. I’m back to being me again.”
Fiona Muir secured a job working for Kayaks, another charity based in South Shields dedicated to helping children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities:
“I’d just graduated from university and was trying to find a job in marketing, tourism and events. It’s currently hard due to the level of competition and my lack of work experience.
“I’d tried other employment courses but there was always a lot of stages to go through. New Start was much more accessible and streamlined. The whole process from meeting your advisory, to talking to the employers and doing the interview was so fast.
“Kayaks has been really good. I’ve had the opportunity to plan marketing activities and get more experience there. I’ve also had the chance to get to know other businesses in South Tyneside and make connections for future opportunities.”
New Start South Tyneside is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project is supported by South Tyneside Council and is a partnership between Karbon Homes and the Housing Employment Network North East.
For more information about New Start scheme see: https://www.karbonhomes.co.uk/careers/new-start/
If you have a vacancy to fill in South Tyneside, South Tyneside Works could help. They offer a range of support to help residents get into work, change career path or improve skills. With a pool of employment ready candidates, they could help you find a perfect fit for your business or organisation. See: Widen your recruitment pool – Invest South Tyneside
