Vol. 9 | 07.05.2026

Introduction from Helen Radcliffe

Hi everyone, with the much lighter nights and warmer days, it certainly feels like we are approaching the summer quickly.

I think the main issue, on the minds of DurhamWorks colleagues, is the funding position. The good news is that we have 3 years of funding approved for much of our delivery. We are now waiting for the final piece of the jigsaw, which is whether NECA will approve further funding for us. I hope to have an answer to that by the end of this month and I will update you as soon as I have information to share.

Our DurhamEnable colleagues are working hard to move job seekers into employment and their expertise is being used to help NECA create the most effective Connect to Work programme possible.

Many thanks to you if you have worked on the UKSPF delivery. The final outputs and outcomes look incredibly strong and that is down to your hard work and focus on both employment support and skills delivery. There have been many changes since UKSPF delivery started in January 2024, so thank you for your flexibility and innovative approaches.

As always, thank you all for your enthusiasm and dedication in making sure that our young people and adults have the very best service and support possible.

The following showcases what’s been happening across DurhamEnable, DurhamWorks, and DurhamLearn

DurhamEnable

A Great Day for County Durham

On 2 February, DurhamEnable joined DWP and NECA at a Select Committee Roundtable at Hotel Indigo, showing what real partership working looks like across the county. A huge thank you goes to the amazing Hotel Indigo for always championing inclusive employment.

DurhamEnable were proud to be the only local authority supporting both participants and employers to attend and share their voices. The team made sure that everyone felt confident, included, and ready to share their stories.

Inclusive Employment and Hotel Indigo

In December, DurhamEnable joined partners and employers at Hotel Indigo Durham for the latest Inclusive Employer Network (IEN) event. It was a brilliant morning full of inspiring stories and great conversations about the power of inclusive workplaces.

One of the highlights was hearing from the amazing team at Hotel Indigo. They spoke honestly about their commitment to inclusive recruitment and how giving people real chances to shine has transformed their workplace. Their passion definitely rubbed off on everyone there!

The DurhamEnable team were especially proud of Leanne, a Breakfast Server at Hotel Indigo and a supported employee with the service. She bravely shared her journey of growing in confidence, building new skills, and becoming a valued member of the team. Her story was heartfelt, inspiring, and a perfect reminder of why supported employment matters.

Celebrating Success at Primark

Building New Partnerships with LIDL

DurhamEnable are excited to share some brilliant work happening with the LIDL Distribution Centre in Newton Aycliffe, who recently created a bespoke role for someone on the service’s Connect to Work programme.

This is a brand-new partnership for DurhamEnable and they’re already seeing the impact of LIDL’s commitment to inclusive employment.

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DurhamWorks

Update from the Employer Engagement Team

It’s been a busy few months! The DurhamWorks Employer Engagement Team has been out across the region meeting employers, strengthening partnerships, and creating new opportunities for young people.

The team has visited a wide range of organisations, from Durham University and Radisson Blu to Caddick Construction, DPD, GSK, and more. This has helped the team to better understand workforce needs and highlight the value DurhamWorks can bring.

They’ve supported Employability Days with Amazon, Caddick Construction, and Willmott Dixon, attended careers and apprenticeship events, and helped promote Durham County Council’s apprenticeships offer.

The team has also been busy networking at Business Durham events, the Durham Business Summit and The Future of Employer Engagement conference in Manchester, gathering new ideas and building strong national connections.

Collaboration has been key. The team has been working closely with delivery partners, Employability Durham, and DurhamEnable to bring guest speakers into sessions and offer joined-up support for participants.

The team are ending the quarter with strong momentum and can’t wait to build on it throughout 2026!

Highlights from the Workplaces Project Team

The Workplaces Project Team has continued to organise a number of inspiring visits for young people, with two highlights being visits to Durham University and Hopetown Museum. Each visit provided hands-on experiences and real insights into different career pathways.

Durham University – DurhamWorks Active Programme

The DurhamWorks Active Programme concluded with a visit to Durham University’s Maiden Castle Sports Centre, where participants enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at elite sport. The visit included a tour of the University’s top-class sporting facilities and a range of active sessions, such as table tennis, an inflatable assault course, strength and conditioning, and a leadership workshop.

Unexpected highlights of the day included meeting Premier League and Championship referees and watching Durham County Cricketers train, including seeing England fast bowler Mark Wood in action.

The participants came away from the experience with increased confidence, improved communication and leadership skills, and greater motivation to pursue their future career goals.

To enhance the Workplaces Project offer, additional funding was secured through Durham County Council’s Social Value activity to deliver themed programmes during school holiday periods. The first programme, called DurhamWorks Active, took place during October half-term 2025 and involved a select group of twelve Year 10 and Year 11 students. Participants gained a valuable insight into potential learning and career pathways within the sports industry and achieved Football Association Referee Accreditation.

The programme concluded during February half-term 2026 with the visit to Durham University’s Maiden Castle Sports Centre.

Hopetown Darlington – Whitworth Park Academy

Year 10 students from Whitworth Park Academy explored careers in the heritage sector during a visit to Hopetown Darlington, a major railway‑themed visitor attraction. They learned about the history of the museum, explored front‑of‑house job roles, and discovered how the museum’s collections are cared for, as well as how exhibitions are planned and designed.

The students also learned how volunteering can help build teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving skills. The visit to Hopetown Darlington helped students increase their confidence and better understand how their skills can transfer into the workplace.

DurhamWorks Youth Forums Amplify Young Voices at Regional Employment Event

On 20 March 2026, members of the DurhamWorks Youth Forums from Annfield Plain and Bishop Auckland attended the Amplifying Youth Voices in Employment regional roundtable at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.

Organised by NE Youth and funded by the North East Combined Authority, the event brought together young people, employers, VCSE partners and policymakers to explore barriers to employment and how more inclusive approaches can be developed.

Supported by David Curry, DurhamWorks Young People’s Engagement Worker, three youth forum members shared their lived experiences and ideas, including taking part in an on-stage discussion in front of around 100 attendees. They represented DurhamWorks brilliantly, impressing employers and generating interest in future opportunities.

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DurhamLearn

Disability Staff Network – Join our growing community

The Disability Staff Network is a friendly and supportive group that brings colleagues together to share experiences, influence change, and improve the working environment for disabled staff across the council. The group meets four times a year and are continuing to grow, welcoming anyone who wants to get involved. The network is chaired by Mark Colman, with support from Paula Foster-Short.

Over the past 12 months, the group has been busy driving positive change, including:

• Contributing to the New Ways of Working initiative and reviewing HR policies
• Developing a Buddy System to support disabled staff, both new starters and existing employees
• Reviewing staff training courses before launch
• Providing input on major council developments such as Rivergreen and The Story
• Taking part in Lumiere preview access to assess facilities and ensure an inclusive experience
• Offering members confidential advice and support via Teams, in person, or by phone

If you’d like to be part of a welcoming network where your voice can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re interesting in joining, please email equalities@durham.gov.uk

From Classroom to Centre Stage