Hi everyone, whilst it’s still pretty warm, the nights and mornings are getting much more autumnal and there are even Christmas products in the shops!
I know that the main issue on the minds of DurhamWorks colleagues is the funding position. I want to remind you that we have three years of funding approved for some of our delivery and we have our main pot of Council funding too. We are still waiting for the final piece of the jigsaw which is whether NEMSA will approve further funding for us. I expect to have a final position on this by the middle of October and I will update you as soon as I have information to share.
Our DurhamEnable colleagues are continuing to work hard to move job seekers into employment and they are being inundated with demand. While DurhamLearn colleagues are tackling the usual ‘start of term’ challenges, ensuring that all our learners are having a positive start to their studies.
As always, thank you all for your enthusiasm and dedication in making sure that our young people and adults have the very best service, support and experiences possible.
Best wishes
Helen
Rufus settling in for a late summer nap.
The following showcases what’s been happening across DurhamEnable, DurhamWorks, and DurhamLearn
DurhamEnable is proud to continue its positive partnership with Primark, recently supporting the relaunch of the retailer’s disability inclusion network, Primarkable.
As part of the relaunch, DurhamEnable colleagues Bambi French and Megan Welton were invited to deliver individual Lunch and Learn sessions, sharing their lived experiences of disability inclusion, reasonable adjustments, and creating workplace cultures where colleagues feel supported and empowered to succeed.
More than 150 Primark colleagues attended from across the UK, Northern Ireland, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the USA, demonstrating the organisations commitment to strengthening disability awareness and inclusion across its international workforce.
Drawing on both their professional expertise and personal experiences, Bambi and Megan highlighted the barriers disabled people can face in employment, the impact of accessible and supportive workplaces, and the importance of reasonable adjustments in helping individuals thrive. Megan also shared her personal experiences as an autistic person with OCD and hEDS, while Bambi spoke about living and working with a visual impairment.
These sessions generated a fantastic response, with attendees asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on how they could use the learning to better support colleagues in their own teams.
DurhamEnable is delighted to have contributed to this initiative and looks forward to continuing to work with employers to promote accessibility, champion inclusive practices, and create workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
DurhamEnable Partnership with Amazon Delivers Success
DurhamEnable is proud to be working in partnerships with Amazon and its Careers for All programme, which provides paid employment opportunities for individuals with health conditions and disabilities who may face barriers through traditional recruitment processes. Through the initiative, six individuals have secured six-month paid contracts, helping them gain valuable experience and access meaningful employment.
One of the programme’s standout success stories is Kieran, who was matched to his role at Amazon through DurhamEnable. As part of the programme, Kieran recently had the opportunity to meet John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK and Ireland Country Manager.
Since starting his role on 3 July 2026, Kieran has gone from strength to strength. In July, he achieved the impressive milestone of reaching Number One status for concessions, meaning every parcel he packaged was delivered without faults or mistakes. His exceptional attention to detail contributed directly to customer satisfaction and demonstrated the high standards he brings to his work.
DurhamEnable is delighted to celebrate his success and looks forward to seeing him continue to thrive in his career journey.
DurhamEnable Team Takes Steps for Wellbeing
Members of the DurhamEnable team recently made the most of the sunny weather by coming together for a lunchtime wellbeing walk. The stroll provided an opportunity to step away from desks, enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Bishop Auckland, and recharge during the working day.
DurhamWorks
Paid Work Experience Helping Young People Take Their First Steps into Employment
DurhamWorks has partnered with The Employability Trust to provide paid work experience opportunities for young people looking to develop their skills, build confidence and take their first steps into employment.
The initiative offers 10-week placements at The Employability Trust, giving young people the chance to gain valuable workplace experience while earning national minimum wage.
Rachel Jackson, Progression Coach at DurhamWorks, said:
We wanted to create paid work experience opportunities for young people ready to enter the world of work. Working with The Employability Trust has enabled us to offer placements that provide practical experience, valuable skills and a real insight into employment.
The partnership has already had a positive impact on participants. Isaac, one of the young people on placement, said:
I’ve always wanted to work, and now I’ve had the opportunity. I’m really enjoying it and have gained hands-on experience across the warehouse.
Bill Marley, CEO and Founder of The Employability Trust, highlighted the difference the programme can make:
It’s been brilliant to see the impact these opportunities have on young people. We set up The Employability Trust to help people who need support into employment, and over the past 15 years we’ve helped more than 480 people take that next step.
Another participant, Blayne, praised the experience, saying:
I’m really enjoying it and can’t thank DurhamWorks enough. Having some money in my pocket is great, but the opportunity to socialise and build my confidence has helped me a lot too.
The programme continues to demonstrate how partnership working can open doors for young people, helping them gain experience, confidence and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
CSCS Training Programme Helps Young People Build Careers in Construction
DurhamWorks recently delivered a successful CSCS Card Training Programme, helping young people take their first steps into the construction industry. The week-long programme provided learners with the opportunity to achieve a Level One Health and Safety in a Construction Environment qualification, prepare for and complete the CSCS test, and work towards obtaining their CSCS Green Labourer Card.
The programme attracted strong interest, with 22 young people initially engaging and nine progressing onto the course. Participants also had the opportunity to attend an employer visit to the Bowmer + Kirkland construction site at Castle Leazes in Newcastle, where they gaining first-hand insight into careers, training opportunities and large-scale construction projects.
The course achieved an impressive 100% CSCS test pass rate, with all nine participants successfully passing their test. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with learners rating the programme an average of 9.6 out of 10 and praising the supportive delivery, practical learning activities and valuable industry insights.
The impact of the programme is already being felt, with many participants progressing into employment, apprenticeships and further training. One learner reported passing their test on a Friday and starting work on a construction site the following Monday. Overall, 77.7% of participants were progressing into employment, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in helping young people move closer to their career goals.
Newcastle Redbulls Programme Builds Confidence, Skills and Future Aspirations
DurhamWorks recently partnered with Newcastle Redbulls and Esh Group to deliver a week-long personal development programme for young people at the Young Futures Hub in Newton Aycliffe. The programme combined sport, employability workshops, team-building activities and wellbeing sessions to help participants develop confidence, resilience and essential life skills.
Interest in the programme was strong, with 60 young people initially offered a place and 16 expressing interest. Eight participants ultimately attended, all of whom had been identified as being at risk of becoming NEET.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with the programme achieving an impressive overall satisfaction score of 8.7 out of 10. Eighty-three percent of learners said the programme helped them achieve their goals, which included building confidence, improving teamwork and leadership skills, meeting new people, and developing employability skills.
Participants particularly valued the opportunity to learn new skills, take part in rugby and football sessions, improve their physical wellbeing, and build social connections in a supportive environment. Every participant reported improvements in their wellbeing, with working effectively with others emerging as one of the strongest outcomes.
One participant commented, “It helped build confidence and build new bonds with new people,” while another described the programme as “a very good course” and encouraged more young people to take part.
The programme’s impact will continue beyond the week itself, with nearly all participants progressing onto further transitional programmes and every young person securing a plan for their next steps in September. The success of the programme demonstrates the value of combining sport, personal development and employability support to help young people build confidence, develop new skills and prepare for their future.
New Venue Dashboard Launches to Support Programme Delivery
We’re pleased to introduce the new Venue Dashboard, a central resource designed to help staff identify and access suitable venues for programme delivery across DurhamWorks, DurhamEnable, and DurhamLearn.
The dashboard can be found within the WRK – Venue Hire Teams site, under the private Venue Hire channel. Work is currently underway to compile a full list of staff who require access to the site.
To ensure the database continues to grow, a Microsoft Form will soon be available for staff to submit details of new venues. Dedicated representatives from DurhamWorks, DurhamEnable, and DurhamLearn will review submissions and keep the information up to date.
At the heart of the site is an interactive Power BI dashboard, which allows users to explore venues via an interactive map. Staff can select individual locations and view key information such as venue costs, capacity, travel details, accessibility features, and available facilities. By making this information easily accessible, we hope to encourage wider use of venues and provide greater flexibility when planning programme activities.
Feedback will also play an important role in the dashboard’s development. Once staff have used a venue, they will be asked to complete a short evaluation form, providing ratings and comments based on their experience. This feedback will help improve the quality of information available and support colleagues in selecting the most suitable venues for future delivery.
The Venue Dashboard is an exciting step towards making venue sourcing simpler, more informed, and more collaborative across all programmes.
DurhamLearn
Gain a Better Understanding of Dementia
Recently, colleagues Samantha Thompson and Helen Fletcher completed DurhamLearn’s Understanding Dementia course and found it to be an insightful and thought-provoking experience.
Despite taking only a few hours to complete, the training provided valuable insight into the experiences of people living with dementia and encouraged them to think differently about how the condition affects individuals, families, and communities.
With dementia affecting more people than ever, increasing awareness and understanding is important for us all. Samantha and Helen would highly recommend the course to anyone interested in learning more and developing their knowledge of this important topic.
DurhamLearn recently celebrated the achievements of some truly inspirational learners at their annual staff awards, recognising the dedication, resilience and determination that have helped them take important steps towards their goals.
Among the award recipients was Leanne, whose unwavering commitment to learning saw her overcome significant personal challenges while continuing to excel in her studies. Her resilience, kindness, and determination have made her a role model to both staff and fellow learners.
Nasrddin, and ESOL learner originally from Afghanistan, was recognised for his outstanding attitude to learning, exceptional attendance and commitment to improving his English. Alongside his studies, he volunteered in the community and has recently secured paid employment, achieving a long-term goal.
Awards were also presented to Adrian and Daniel, whose Supported Internship journeys have helped them grow in confidence, independence and workplace skills. Both embraced new challenges, stepped outside their comfort zones and demonstrated a real drive to succeed.
Lauren was celebrated for balancing her studies with family responsibilities while maintaining 100% attendance. Her hard work has already paid off. with a successful interview learning to a new career opportunity in care.
As our learners shared in the awards video, DurhamLearn has helped them build confidence, gain independence, learn new skills and take exciting next steps towards their futures. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Congratulations to all of the award winners and thank you for sharing your inspiring journeys with us.
And that’s a wrap for this edition of our Newsletter!
If there are any stories that you would like to be included in the next edition please submit to Kevin.Wright@durham.gov.uk
