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A New Directions employability caseworker (Advocate) standing next to a New Directions participant who has been supported into employment

'100 into work' milestone
for new directions

Twenty-four-year-old Hannah from Billingham became the 100th jobseeker that Actes Trust helped into employment through the New Directions Youth Employment Initiative.

After being referred by Billingham Jobcentre Actes offered Hannah a range of support through New Directions, including mentoring to overcome anxiety issues and identify her strengths and help with her CV to better reflect her attributes.  Hannah, a mum of two, successfully secured a role as a part-time enabler with health and social care support provider, after six years unemployed.

Hannah commented: “I was used to supporting my son and my mam in my personal life, so I knew I wanted to help people in my work, but I didn’t have the confidence or focus to know where to start.  My New Directions advocate helped me to realise what my strengths were and how to use these to help sell myself on my CV.  He also helped me to manage my anxiety and build my confidence and I feel much better about going out and speaking to people now.​ I feel really proud of myself getting the role at and I’m nervous and excited to get started.  When I found out I’d got the job I was really emotional as I know I’ll be able to provide a better life for my kids and I would recommend New Directions to other young people who are struggling to get into work and I have already put a friend in touch with the programme.”

Twenty-year-old Sheryce from Middlesbrough became the 101st jobseeker into work, also securing employment within health and social care after signing up to New Directions following a year unemployed.  Through the programme, Sheryce was referred onto Actes’ Level 2 course Defining Futures for help with employability including CV and cover letter writing.

 

Sheryce, who had previously completed a Level 2 counselling course at college before pursuing a career in retail, had decided she wanted to go back to helping people, so when the opportunity came up to work in health and social care, her Youth Employment Advocate provided help with interview techniques to ensure she was part of the cohort.

After starting her 30 hours per week role, Sheryce said: “I support a group of adults with learning difficulties with day to day tasks and I really enjoy it.  Helping people is something I’ve always wanted to do so I find it really rewarding to know I make a difference to their lives.”

Over the duration of the programme, Actes Trust's New Directions programme supported 276 local young people from Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees into employment.

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