"You don't have to see the whole staircase to take the first step"

This year, 73 people took part in New Start, a paid placement programme, which provided career starter roles for people aged 25 and over. Through the programme they were able to secure five month opportunities of up to 30 hours per week, with no prior experience requirements.

The partnership between Karbon and housing providers Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), North Tyneside Council, Northumberland County Council, Changing Lives and Bernicia, made roles available to residents living in our households.

We launched New Start in December 2021 and were thrilled by the number of applicants we got for the scheme. Now, more than half of the participants of the five-month programme have since gone on to secure jobs in a range of roles, from caretaking to banking and customer services.

In July, we were able to celebrate the success of the programme by inviting graduates and their employers to a celebration event at St James' Park in Newcastle with the housing associations and partner organisations.

Helen, who now works for Karbon's Grounds Maintenance team managed to completely change her career path:
"I've gone from working in catering to gardening and I can't really see anybody who would have been willing to take me on to do that job without this experience."

Cheryl, who took a placement at local charity Junction 42, said:
"The support there is fantastic and they're there for you, they don't judge what you've done, they're just there to boost you up and get you on the work path."

Alex, who now works for video game lounge The Ctrl Pad, said:
"It's given so many people the opportunity to develop a career into something that they want."

The programme has gained the support from a number of North East businesses, offering a range of placements from a Day Centre Cook and Jam Maker at Belle and Herbs Farm in Central Newcastle, to Digital Inclusions Assistants at YHN, Play Workers at Calmer Therapy in Morpeth and a Learning Support Worker at Northern Learning Trust.

Gill Smith, Chief Executive at Northern Learning Trust, has seen first hand how New Start has benefitted people:
"The really important thing about this is that they are life changing jobs. It's a chance for people to learn new skills, it's a chance for people to change direction."

The programme has been funded by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund, an initiative designed to support local areas to pilot new approaches and programmes which help tackle local challenges.

Stuart Clarke, Senior Manager Employability, said:
"If we're genuinely committed to improving communities and improving and sustaining tenancies, then we need to think about employment as a key positive factor."

Michelle Fortune, New Start Project Lead Officer, said:
"You don't have to see the staircase to take the first step and that's what they did with us. They trust us as their landlord to make some good decisions for them. These are real people with real lives who've had real struggles or obstacles in the way and we've helped to remove those and there's no better feeling."

If you need help building your skills, experience and qualifications to maximise your potential, achieve your career aspirations and increase your digital skills, then our Foundations for Life team are here for you.

The service is completely customer-led with all plans and actions supporting your personal aspirations and goals. Whether you want a career change, more hours, or your first job our team is here to help.

Contact our team at foundations@karbonhomes.co.uk.