Thriving Together Northumberland programme to help economically inactive people launched by North of Tyne Mayor

Solid Foundations helps people who are neither in employment or seeking work to overcome the challenges that are preventing them from working, thanks to North of Tyne Combined Authority funding.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “My job as Mayor is to secure the resources we need to create as many jobs as possible for the North of Tyne.

“Our £1 million Solid Foundations mentoring scheme is for people who have not had the smoothest path in life.

“It will help with a CV, confidence skills, or perhaps training to unlock new career opportunities so that everyone can have access to a well-paid job.”

The programme is run by Thriving Together Northumberland, a collaboration led by Citizens Advice and including community organisations and social enterprises from across the county.

Solid Foundations will provide one-to-one mentoring, job application advice, skills courses, budgeting help, and a well-being service to participants.

Kay Harrington Kemper, project manager for Thriving Together Northumberland, said: “Northumberland has some fantastic voluntary and community organisations, but as a large rural county, projects such as Solid Foundations are essential to ensure these organisations effectively reach those who need support the most.

“The guiding principle of Solid Foundations is recognising the barriers people face. We believe that to give individuals a real chance to progress in life these barriers must be removed.

“Solid Foundations has been designed to meet each person's specific needs and provide personal support.”