Our Wise Steps programme has helped over 300 people in to employment, six months earlier than expected.

Wise Steps, established in 2016, received £7.2m from the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund to support people in to work in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead and North and South Tyneside. The programme is available to all residents of Tyne and Wear of working age, unemployed, including those furthest from the job market, and have multiple challenges to getting into work.

Delivered with a range of specialist partners, the programme helps participants identify and overcome their barriers to work. These obstacles can vary depending on the individual; from social isolation to mental health issues and addiction to financial circumstances. Through person centred coaching and support from specialist partners, participants are supported on the journey towards employment, helping them to tackle each hurdle one by one.

Ian Coull, Wise Steps Programme Manager, said:

“We’re really pleased with how many people we’ve been able to help, especially six months ahead of schedule. Everyone involved, from admin staff through to our dedicated partners and our participants should be proud of themselves,

“What we do to help people is more important than just employment statistics, and it’s fantastic to see such a positive impact.”

One example of the positive impact the Wise Steps programme can have is Jordan Bell. Before joining the Wise Steps programme, Jordan was long term unemployed with no employment history or references.

With few qualifications, Jordan also found himself struggling with a lack of confidence. Once referred to Wise Steps, Jordan made tremendous progress, receiving interview mentoring, completing training in Customer Service and SIA Door Supervising, and overcoming the self-doubt that had once troubled him.

In order to help him on his journey, Wise Steps was able to provide him with interview appropriate clothing and covered his initial travel expenses once in work. The support provided to Jordan has meant he has now passed all of his vocational training and is settling in to his new role in the private security industry well.

Wise Group CEO Sean Duffy reflected on the success of the programme; “Being able to have helped over 300 of our participants secure work, as well as aiding a further 100 in to education or employment shows how Wise Steps has helped to transform people’s lives.”

To find out more about Wise Steps, click here.