2,000 residents supported at North Tyneside’s Working Well hub

More than 2,000 residents have benefited from employment, skills and health support at North Tyneside’s Working Well hub since it opened in December 2022.

In its first four months, the thriving hub has attracted residents of all ages, skills and experience. 

Based in the Beacon Centre, in North Shields, the hub is home to North Tyneside Council’s Employment and Skills Team alongside partners including the NHS, North East Autism Society, North Tyneside Carers, North Tyneside Citizen’s Advice and Age UK North Tyneside.

The Working Well partnership is designed to make health, employment and skills support more accessible to people who wouldn’t normally access services or seek support. And it’s already achieving its ambitions.

From grandparents bringing their grandchildren in to encourage them to start training, to residents who want to explore self-employment, the team has seen a diverse mix of people and stories come through the doors for advice.

While individually tailored support is available, the hub runs a range of drop-in sessions and training. Recruitment events, digital drop-ins, partner showcases, and cost of living support are just a few examples of what’s on offer.

Local businesses and organisations are engaged in the service too, using the popular hub to promote their vacancies and fill roles in hospitality, care, childcare, aviation and more.

One resident who has benefited from the opening of the hub is 49-year-old Abbas Kiyemba from North Shields.

Abbas worked with Employment Advisor Amy to look at his career options and the pathways he had to finding a job that made him fulfilled. After visiting Capita’s Career Insights Day, he went on to apply for a range of roles on offer using the advice from Amy and the information he’s learned at the insight day to his benefit.

The hard work he put in paid off, and Abbas was offered three jobs at different organisations. After looking at what he wanted for his career, he accepted the fantastic role as a Junior Property and Building Manager with Capita.  

Since November 2012, Capita has delivered a range of technical services for North Tyneside Council including engineering, property and planning.

Speaking of his experience, Abbas said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have found a good job, it wouldn’t have happened without the help that’s has been given – I feel so much better!

“They offer a very good service – I see it as a hospital for the unemployed. Working Well makes you want to engage with help. The things they do well includes holding workshops, encouraging people, being so friendly and approachable, everyone is willing to help, everyone has a smile.”

Jen Chamley, Responsible Business Lead at Capita, said: “Capita has been working closely with the employment and skills team for several years. 

“Most recently, we worked together to deliver a careers insight day for local people – we’re committed to recruiting within the Borough. We went through our recruitment processes, highlighted vacancies, and colleagues gave presentations about their own journey within the organisation. 

“We were delighted to recruit Abbas as a Junior Property Surveyor directly as a result of the event. It demonstrates the importance of our partnership with the Working Well team with mutual benefit for all.  We will continue to work with the team to support employability within North Tyneside.”

Mark Barrett, Senior Manager (Employment and Skills) at North Tyneside Council, said: “We’re delighted that, alongside our partners in the borough, we’ve been able to offer vital support to so many of our residents.

“The success of the hub so far is a testament to the brilliant range of support, advice, guidance, and training that’s been on offer.  

“Residents can come to us and access all the support they need, in one place, and that’s proven to work really well. It covers all the steps and support anyone might need to enter employment or training; from CV writing to mental health support and the popularity of the hub speaks for itself.”

The Working Well hub is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

You can find out more about the offer here: https://www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk/support/workingwell/