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FREE

February 2013 Issue 46

INSIDE YOUR ISSUE OF THE LEADING SELF DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS & ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE:

A DECADE OF ENTERPRISE: We celebrate our first ten years of serving the northeast

CLEAR TALENT: Gregory Lee’s role with Northumbria Water

THOSE WHO CAN, TEACH: Discover one of the best routes for a career in teaching nelink.info A great new way to help you to help yourself

COULD YOU USE £10,000? Discover how Awards for All could make a BIG difference to YOUR community

INFORMNORTH 2013

GET YOURREGIONAL FREE WALLPLANNER INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Informnorth is the only social enterprise of its kind in the UK, unique to the North East and brought to you with:

Helping you to help yourself - through self development, skills and enterprise x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:08 Page 2 Love your job? Better careers with Barchester Healthcare

With over 220 care homes across the UK and more in the pipeline, Barchester Healthcare is still growing!

Barchester offers a range of secure career opportunities with plenty of room for career development within our own training and development academies. Call 01670 812 333 to find out about vacancies in the North East.

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• Care • Nursing • Administration • Maintenance • Catering and hospitality • Housekeeping • Management Apprenticeship Schemes – available in our homes across all disciplines x119035_Inform_p2_ab:x119035_Inform_p2_ab 26/1/13 09:14 Page 3

Visit www.informnorth.comus online at for advertising details, more help, advice and also downloads of all previous issues Contents

Editor Miles Crofton T: 0191 5866 010 E: [email protected]

Executive editor Please help us protect the environment by Sarah Lee recycling your copy of informnorth - but only after reading it cover to cover, digesting all the E: [email protected] information and then taking the appropriate action first. Staff writers Katie Crofton, Helen Miles, Anthony Keenan, David Hutton SKILLS & EDUCATION Managing Director 7 Mike Storey MONOLOGUE: Informnorth’s managing editor Miles Crofton sets the T: 0191 5866 010 record straight on what makes informnorth so appealing, highlighting how E: [email protected] the time to be more informed about your opportunities couldn’t be better. 18 CELEBRATING SUCCESS: Forget the doom and gloom and join us a we spread Business Engagement & a little bit of sunshine by celebrating our first decade of serving the northeast and Partnership Development raising aspirations with some of the many milestones we’ve achieved along the way. Mark Storey T: 0191 5866 040 CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT E: [email protected] 26 WORKING SHADOWING: Can’t afford to work for free and still need to get Design & production more work experience? Well there may be another way to do it, as we discover. Eric Lee, senior designer 30 CASH IN HAND: Informnorth’s Katie Crofton highlights how handling your E: [email protected] debt by staying at home could open up a far better way to earn extra £££s. Senior researcher 35 MAKING THE DIFFERENCE: Looking to link up with lots of new friends and Michelle Ho contacts that could lead to work? Well nelink.info is the best place to start... E: [email protected] BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE Inserts & subscriptions E: [email protected] 42 POOR DEAL PAYLOANS: Have you reached the end of the month along with the end of your bank balance? Sarah Lee, informnorth’s very own little cream cake, investigates the rise of payday loans and the problems they can lead to. 47 ALL EYES ON ENTERPRISE: We look at the part social enterprise businesses such as John Lewis and informnorth can play in supporting England’s healthcare All contentc informnorth. Informnorth magazine is published sector, with innovative ideas and a stronger role for lots of local communities. bi-monthly by informnorth and informnorth creative services and whilst the publisher has taken reasonable care to ensure that all material is accurate at the time of going to press, they can not accept COMMUNITY MATTERS responsibility for errors or omissions and no liability is accepted for omission or failure from any cause. 56 OFFLOAD YOUR DEBT: Learn the importance of getting your finances in The publisher welcomes contributions but opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of order and the benefits of improving those key money-management skills. informnorth. Additional professional advice should be sought before making any commitment to business transactions detailed within 59 SARAH SAYS: Informnorth’s Sarah Lee battles against the odds to highlight informnorth magazine. All advertisements are accepted only on the the best ways we can go on to take inspiration, even from a failure… grounds that they comply with the terms of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and all other relevant legislation. Inclusion of an advertisement cannot be construed as an endorsement of an advertiser or a prod- uct by the publisher, their employees or their agents. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any transactions “THE MAIN CAUSE OF PROBLEMS IS SOLUTIONS.” between readers and advertisers. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the Eric Severeid, 1913-92, American broadcaster publisher. Printed by Potts Print (UK).

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Informnorth magazine: monologue

With two ambitious LEP’s and twelve great councils, being more informed now is sure to pay dividends

Welcome to informnorth, if you haven't The claim to being unique is bandied around seen our magazine before or don't know far too much, but I think in our case it is totally Informnorth exists to help people and has developed in to a publication that is why we do what we do, we wanted to warranted, because we differ from anything eye catching yet quick and easy to use. explain what makes us different, in a that is available or exists anywhere else. A glance through the bright and colourful marketplace where too many things We are the only social enterprise of our kind pages overleaf will show how informnorth can appear to be all too similar. anywhere in the United Kingdom and totally is split in to special colour-coded sections, And if you are new to our region, we hope self funding. We compete for and fight for covering the following topics: this goes some way to highlight that even with what we get and we are consistently able to • The importance of the best education, a lack of funding and public sector cut backs, demonstrate best value to each of our stake- skills, qualifications and up-to-date training why ours is still the best region, with some of holders, partners, advertisers and sponsors. • Employment, work, and job and the careers opportunities that exist locally and regionally the very best people anywhere. Informnorth magazine is designed to help • The importance and the basics of enterprise, We run three social enterprise businesses people at all levels of abilities and champions entrepreneurship, business start up, growth under the banner of informnorth and our the cause for self-development and enterprise. and business survival award-winning and special magazine is It is free at the source of contact and is proof • The value of the voluntary, public and third where our journey first began back in 2002. read for a those with a reading ability of 14+ sectors. Sharing best and worst practice, exploring All of our activities are concerned with raising and throughout our pages, we promote the the benefits and understanding of how society aspirations to help individuals, and young widest range of opportunities available and by being more involved in our communities. people in particular, to make more ‘informed’ drive home the reasons why the northeast is the best place to live and work, or bring up choices about their options and opportunities, promote a new appointment or promotion, a a young family, set up a new business or so they are more ‘informed’ and can take change of address or a college or university enterprise, or to grow an existing one. decisions and their next important steps in open day. Basically, you decide what it is that’s life more easily, whatever they might be. Our publication is structured so you can important to you and send it in and we'll try to quickly discover lots of useful contacts and So everything we do is designed to support include it. Simples. contains information that doesn't exist anywhere these objectives and help people make more But busy PR executives please take note, we else, either within other publications in print, links and connections, whilst supporting our don’t welcome PR pieces that are simply just or online through a single website. partners and businesses of all sizes across the 'doing the rounds'. We have no problem filling northeast of England. All of our content is constantly updated, which our pages with great content and can afford is made possible because each of our valued to be picky - in fact with 15,000 magazines As a social enterprise, informnorth is subscribers, as well as receiving a regular being distributed to local communities and comprised of three main business activities: copy of informnorth magazine, are also given busineses in all parts of the northeast, we Informnorth Magazine - which is the longest their own free business listing, which appears believe we have to be quite choosy. running, consecutively published magazine of in each issue and access to '80 Words for Free'. We are constantly adapting and developing, its kind and distributed every three months, This is our special service that allows you to and if there's anything you would like to see which gives us a great shelf-life and unrivalled share absolutely anything that is important featured in our pages, we would welcome reach and penetration with audiences. to you with our readers in every issue, for your comments and feedback. We are always nelink.info - our brand new online regional nothing. They take the format of short on the look out for informative case studies web portal, nelink is an exciting addition to editorial snippets, along with your contact and great success stories, just get in touch by our stable of products and a resource for the details and a picture and well worth the email my address is [email protected] northeast. There’s more detail about nelink £30.00 annual subscription fee on it’s own. and we’ll see if we can help you. and how it helps inside this issue, so check it out. 80 Words is also a real boon to the savvy and The last few years have been challenging for The North East Skills Academy - concerned budget conscious marketing professional who everybody, but the future is looking brighter with helping existing and new partners to plan is on the ball, because it can be used to in many ways and we would like to take this exciting events and activities, involving other highlight a new product or service, or award opportunity to give you our very best wishes organisations in the delivery and within budget. or contract win, but you can also use it to for a prosperous New Year ahead.

BACK ISSUES: It’s not likely that we have back issues of previous copies of informnorth available because once they’ve been distributed and snapped up, they are then out of print! However every copy is available to download after publication from our extensive library and this is a free service, just visit www.informnorth.com/archive for more.

Our Mission Statement: Informnorth is the only social enterprise of its kind anywhere in the United Kingdom and exist sto support the private, public and third sector, including voluntary, charitable and community-based organisations within the northeast of England. As a not-for-profit enterprise, we reinvest any profit in to activities that help raise aspirations and connect people of all ages together. Informnorth helps bridge the gaps that can exist between business and community. Our special magazine is widely acknowledged as an example of best practice in raising aspirations, changing negative perceptions for the better and empowering people of all ages to greater levels of self-development, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

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The

Driving Experience Experience

The World’s Ultimate Stunt Driving techniques, on-track driving, accident About Paul Swift: Experience from Paul Swift, Top Gear avoidance and learn about skid control. Paul Swift is a seven-time British stunt driver, seven-time British Once the stunt driving manoeuvres have Motorsport Champion and a Motorsport Champion and Guinness been perfected, you can also try your hand multiple Guinness World Record World Record holder. holder. He began performing stunts at the challenging Autotest Stunt Track, set in 1986 at the tender age of Now you can celebrate 2013 in style with your best lap time on their online seven. Following in the footsteps the Ultimate Driving Experience, as Paul leaderboard, or compete in a head-to-head of his legendary stunt driving father Swift and his team give you the opportunity knockout competition, with special prizes Russ Swift, Paul became part of to improve your technique and experience for the all of the winners. his fathers team performing in a half-scale Mini Cooper. some of their most exciting stunts. You can finish off your experience with a At sixteen, Paul began competing in Ideal for corporate gifts, team building nail-biting passenger ride on 2 wheels, as Motorsport and rapidly moved up to events and special occasions - you can well as four, at the hands of the man himself. the National Autotest Championship. push yourself to the limit in their fleet of Affordable Fun and Great Value Over the following eight seasons, performance cars with full insurance - and Paul secured both the MSA Autotest You can have a Paul Swift Ultimate Driving Championship three times and the be filmed on their professional in-car cameras. Experience to suit every budget, it’s the BTRDA four times, winning over Our driving experiences are also perfect for perfect gift for a loved-one and sure to one hundred other events outright newly qualified or more inexperience drivers be an experience that’s worth remembering along the way. and go much further than Pass Plus to allow for all the right reasons. Paul and his team Following this success, Paul then you to learn from the best, in a very safe will show you how it’s all done properly established Paul Swift Precision Driving Ltd. and today, with over and controlled environment. and special rates are available for larger twenty-five years experience, Paul Paul can show you how to handbrake park, groups and team building days and Swift Precision Driving is now the so you’ll never need to avoid that tight corporate events. global leader in precision driving, parking space again or learn how to For safety reasons places are limited providing the professionalism and experience of some of the best perform the perfect J-turn, just like they do in and demand is always high so don’t drivers available in the world today. the movies! But you can also learn how to hang around to sharpen your skills and be a better driver, avoid accidents, braking put yourself in the driving seat.

To find out more or to book call 01325 247 554 or visit www.paulswift.com x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:09 Page 7

a decade of nspiration ow many businesses do you know Well there can only be just one, because Hstarted life with nothing more than there is only one informnorth and whilst a bright idea and a desire to help people we’ve had our share of imitators following to spot the opportunities around them, in our enterprising footsteps over the past so they were as informed as possible and ten years, we have been fortunate to be so more able to take the best path forward? far ahead with our own vison and values, that For that matter, how many businesses are we’ve managed to leave them far behind. you aware of that began with just a clear We are proud to be a front-runner that’s goal to bring together the best sources of able to set the pace as a leading social help and advice in to one easy-to-access enterprise, and we are grateful to have location and format? had a such a fantastic journey along every And how many organisations do you know step of our amazing journey. with the expertise to help change negative But we are shocked to have reached our perceptions and by working with the very first decade quite so quickly and can’t help best partners, are able to raise the aspirations but feel there are lots of great things to of people of all ages and backgrounds? come, so here’s to whatever lies ahead. On the pages that follow overleaf, we thought it would be a fitting occasion to showcase the issues of informnorth that have helped to make our journey so & worthwhile and definitely so much fun...

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1 This is where it started, with issue one. This was our very first issue, and the support we received from the most unlikely sources was totally heart warming and quite phenomenal - especially from all of our northeastt councils, One NorthEast and the Regional Assembly. We knew we didn’t want to fill our pages by just stroking the ego’s of people that didn’t live in the real world and chose to get on and leave that to others, who seemed to do it all too readily. And instead, we concentrated on success stories and case studies that people of all ages and back- grounds could learn from and relate to. Working with the mantra that none of us will live long enough to make all the mistakes possible, we figured it was much better to ask people about the things they had done that hadn’t gone so well, as well as the things that had worked out with planning or by chance, to share with our readers.

3 Issue Three - the value of fun: Here, we explored why it’s so important to have fun when starting a business and in this special issue decided to encourage more mature readers to consider building their own empire, by putting to use their hard earned savings and life skills to work and reaping the rewards of being a third age entrepreneur. We also highlighted how important it is for younger readers to gain the right qualifications and skills at the

2 start of their careers to putting them on the best pathway to Issue Two shows the way: To be honest, we had earning some real dosh and totally underestimated the promoted careers in the feedback we would receive construction industry with the from issue one. We started CITB and ECITB and other working with lots of new leading trade associations partners in earnest and and encouraged our readers introducing lots of content to check out the many local that would help them to raise opportunities to learn a a more effective profile, professional skill and trade. often with little or no budget. It was the start of 2003 and nobody had even heard really Issue Four - standing out from the crowd: 4 about social enterprise, let We used a special fifth, metalic ink on our front alone understood why we cover for the first time to highlight the quality and of informnorth and with exams looming, we used this issue to include a revision guide for anybody suffering from the exam blues. We covered the top tips for combating the stress of exams and gave advice on how to make revision more beneficial. The opportunities that unemployment can afford was another key focus and we provided lots of information on the main sources of help to make the best from a bad situation, chose to be one, so we whether it as to brush up on decided to write about it new skills, enrol on a course with our first award-winning article. Concentrated on the or start up in great business, lessons we’d learned from we knew there was lots of support the distribution of our first to help our readers stay more issue, which had been too informed and move forward, costly and far too time in the right direction. consuming - and often still is!

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them back eventually, it’s not the answer to even the most urgent of situation. Student Survival Guide: Other sources will lend you money more Finances cheaply and without expecting you to give up your belongings, before you’re even supposed to repay the debt, let alone o you’re going to be leaving before you’ve failed to do so. college later in the year and Of course, if you have an old pile of heading to university, planning S textbooks you don’t need, a CD collection long nights in the student union bar you no longer listen to, an unwanted or and looking forward to the student unopened pressie from Auntie Edna or any discounts in the fashion stores. old junk you think you could flog, there Doesn’t it sound so perfect? However in are ways of swapping genuinely unwanted reality these ‘luxuries’ are far from the stuff for much more useful stuff - cash, for reality of the tight budget students have to instance. Stick up posters around your live off. Well informnorth’s student survival If not, they run the risk that the pawnbroker department to flog any old textbooks you guide is here to help you get the most don’t need anymore - this will affect how sell it on to someone else first. from the small amount you have. you treat them when you use them - i.e., Why not try selling and pawning? Then there are other students, bless their don’t scribble on them, or use them as a hearts, who put an ad in the local paper Some students, in their blind desperation, coaster for your coffee cup. Your SU may or the local newsagent offering anything will take their most prized possession - their even have a secondhand bookshop that’ll they own that might be worth a few quid. PS3, electric guitar, or signed photo of the flog them for you, usually just in return for queen - down to the pawn shop and get as These are desperate tactics and they should a percentage of the selling price. never be necessary. If you’re starting to see much as they possibly can for it. At Amazon you can sell unwanted books, some of your precious ‘luxury’ items as a CDs and DVDs and the like to other The pawnshop is a bit like a date playing way of paying next month’s rent or the buyers for a small fee, or you may be able the hard to get - they appear to want classy watch your gran gave you for your to make a pretty penny by auctioning just nothing to do with your offerings, but then 18th birthday begins to resemble a good about anything you can think of through promptly take them. They usually pay a square meal, then you know it’s time to ebay.co.uk or student swap shop, but knocked down price and promise not to get a job or down to the bank or the apparently they won’t let you sell human sell your tat for a while, so if the student students’ union welfare department and organs. Just don’t go getting rid of any- returns within that time and pays back the discuss less drastic measures. thing unless you’re pretty sure you didn’t money (plus a touch ofhandsome interest, You shouldn’t have to give up the personal want it anyway. For more, you can visit of course), and they can have their things you value just so you can afford to amazon.co.uk, ebay.co.uk, nelink.info treasured goods back again. live. Even if you think you’ll be able to buy or studentswapshop.co.uk

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5. With many students bracing themselves for to expand or anyone considering setting up 13. This issue concentrated on the importance 18. This cracking issue really pushed home the the outcome of their studies, this cracking issue or moving their business into the area. of ICT as a career option. With inspiring case importance of the overall enterprise agenda. In we focused on the choices available on leaving studies from people who had developed an partnership with National Enterprise Week, we 10. In this issue we looked at taking your school and college with signposting to the best interesting career within the industry locally, supported the Make Your Mark campaign. We career and employment prospects in to a totally sources of local help available. information on updating key skills and even a also asked readers if they were a wallflower or new direction. We took to the sea to find that fool-proof guide to the buzzword jargon, we a sunflower, an introvert or an extrovert and 6. September is always a hectic time for students there’s more to a career in the deep than you explored the values of getting to know yourself highlighted how we had it all covered. up and down the country and in this special might have thought and showed a successful when deciding what your best career route could issue we provided lots of guides to help our career doesn’t have to involve a busy office. 14. Enterprise in Education formed a unique be. We also included a brilliant quiz to uncover readers to make lots more informed choices. We explored subsea careers to those with a section to this special issue and in partnership the real personality and the key areas of your with TEDCO, we match-funded their campaign 7. Celebration’s were in the air with our real sense of adventure, who wanted a bit working life that this could have effect on. to include a useful classroom resource very first birthday. Only one year old and the more from their careers and we showcased lots 19. We disclosed how those wanting to be their supplement. This promoted enterprise and magazine was already being recognised as one own boss but preferred a less risky approach to of great case studies that highlighted the range creativity to Key Stage 3/4, highlighting the starting a business should look at ‘Franchising of the best ways to promote enterprise and skills of opportunities offshore too. key aspects involved with helping young people locally and right across the region. We started for Success’ and looked at what franchising 11. Our September - October 2004 issue focused to raise their aspirations. Was bang on target! woking with the Easington Jobs Match Team and involved with key examples showing the on entrepreneurship, opportunity and social 15. With Sunderland University, we looked at covered topics ranging from temporary jobs to opportunities that are available, proving that responsibility. Our then new managing editor the qualities that make a good manager and disability issues with lots of unique signposting it’s not just about fast food restaurants and Miles Crofton’s leading article was entitled the skills that enable you to manage, not only and information. coffee bars.With real case studies from local ‘Power to the People’ and drummed home other people but more yourself too. Alongside entrepreneurs who have made their franchise 8. Planning is often the key to success and just what informnorth was all about as a leading this special feature, we included a summary of a success and helpful signposting for readers our main feature with North Tyneside College social enterprise business. He pointed out how the different types of leader with case studies who may consider franchising our article proved on ‘Looking Ahead’ explored the different we aimed to inspire but also, to share with all from Durham University, PNE, Tyne & Wear to be invaluable. Fire & Rescue Service and Port of Tyne and education milestones many readers would our readers just who can help them to get their 20. We featured Gateshead City Learning Centre some of the North East’s most successful senior approach in the forthcoming year, with our ideas off the ground and what can be achieved as our cover story and explored the the extensive executives with their tips for the top. essential guide to making the most of every with a little determination, planning and of resources available to help younger students in opportunity that would be presented. course, a little bit of help, highlighting how 16. In this special issue we banged the drum for the field of ICT and opportunities within the important engineering discovered how well 9. Young Guns was the main topic for one to go about it yourself quickly and easily. placed we had sector and our emerging industries. Access to of our regular platforms back in 2004, with 12. November 2004 saw the launch of been in 17. Sport at a local community level was the the internet and a inspirational success stories from a collection the UK’s first National Enterprise Week - which laying the little bitweb savvy? of entrepreneurs who had set up in business was built on the success we’d had with NE main focus of this issue where we looked at the foundations If so, you can like us at rising opportunities in sport, recreation and facebook.com/informnorth and were doing well within their chosen field. Enterprise Week - and informnorth was proud for younger related industries. Working in partnership with students at and you could be picked With the support of Derwentside District Council, to be chosen to fly the flag for enterprise locally at random to get a North East Sport, Skills Active and Sunderland a local level spot prize we produced a very special feature looking at and regionally, inspiring younger and more and Durham Universities to highlight the key throughout the the location as an ideal setting for business, with mature older entrepreneurs to seize their oppor- role of sport as a stimulus for economic, social northern region. a range of excellent support packages available tunities with both hands and a can-do attitude. and personal change.

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Looking for Help? If you feel you’re stuck in a rut but have CAREER GUIDE: lots more to offer someboy, then help Be your best and join the Army is at hand and it won’t cost you a penny. Informnorth has launched a brand new web resource that can help you gain oining the Army could be the best through the Armed Forces, who will fund more experience, meet lots of new decision you will ever make - you your education while you continue your friends and great contacts - in ways that Jget to train, travel, ride around in work in the forces, using their well could lead to paid work or employment. tanks, see places and people all over recognised system of learning credits. To find out more, visit nelink.info today and add your details for free. the world and learn lots of new skills But in order to enlist you must first pass along the way. a rigorous selection process at one of four All About People What working in the Army involves seems Army Development and Selection Centres The Jigsaw Group has announced the obvious at first,` but there are a lot of (ADSC) found throughout the UK. The addition of both full Recruitment and questions applicants will have, other than purpose of each ADSC is to develop and Consultancy services to its existing “when do I get my gun and ammo?” select potential recruits for a career in the activities. Having and the time spent there is designed to acquired over 20 There is loads of information online at years’ experience army.mod.uk which will help introduce you assess a candidate’s capabilities and aptitude. It also provides an insight into in HR management to one of the most exciting career paths and recruitment, available - and one that can offer you life the Army and the necessary information on Sharon Cooper experiences few other jobs ever could. what to the candidate should expect to be heads up the people matching service, successful. The selection takes place over which identifies and selects qualified, tal- If you think you might have what it takes 2 days and covers various challenging ented professionals and able to contribute to join the Army, then read on and find out individual and team events including: to an organisations success immediately. more because for every natural talent A thorough medical - various physical To find out more visit jigsawtraining.co.uk there’s a job and vocation in the Army activities including upper body, stamina to help make the most of it. and aerobic tests, as well as team events. Dance School Expands Maybe you’re a natural problem solver, a An Ice Breaker - where candidates stand One of the region’s great organiser or a whiz with computers - up in front of their group and talk about leading urban dance schools, The Factory then a role in Engineering, Logistics or IT themselves for around 2 minutes. could await you. There are more than 220 Dance Academy (FDA), different roles in the Army and some are Technical Selection Test - a written test is expanding across the for those going for technical trades. North East to meet full-time roles, others you can do in your demand for its classes. spare time with the Territorials. You might Memory and observation - a lesson and Nearly 950 children, choose a role that develops your existing test about a piece of service equipment young people and adults attend classes in skills, or that helps you to learn new ones. and its use in practice. a range of dance styles including Hip Hop, Whichever job you choose and whatever Pop Dance, Breakdance, Street Cheer, Team tasks - which involve a series of you want to achieve, we’ll do everything Zumba and Bokwa. Already operating in outdoor scenarios set especially for each we can to make sure that you succeed. Alnwick, Berwick, Amble, Blyth, Ashington, group, to be completed within an allotted Gateshead and Newcastle, FDA has now The Army will not only uncover your time; these test the ability of all individuals started classes in Hexham with tutor Kate strengths, but also provide the role that to work within a team. Whilst there, you Hutchinson. Call 01670 363 037 for details. helps you put these skills into practice. will also have an interview with an Army Think of it as just doing what you’re good Development and Selection Officer (ADSO) Consider Your Options at. And really, what job could be more sat- and most candidates will get a chance to The Chartered Institute of Marketing isfying than that? talk to soldiers there, currently in training. (CIM) is encouraging students to consider whether professional training, work-based Aside from natural talent the Army has The army is not for everyone but the range learning, a degree or a combination of recently been campaigning to highlight its of benefits on top of the basic wage has all three will serve them best. range of educational courses. It’s a little never been so apparent. They will bring Sam Meredith, known fact that the Army also provides a out the best in you and who knows, you Chairman of the North wiode range of training opportunities with could be the next Kris Akabusi or Dame East Branch of the CIM says, “It’s clear that a number of skills and training paths Kelly Holmes, who were both Army recruits available in centres around the world. employers increasingly and in a difficult jobs market, it could be want to see real proof 20% of the total of all NVQ’s taken are a great launch pad for your future. of relevant skills and workplace experience and not just academic study. Businesses want to employ people equipped with the right skills to do the job, and professional training and qualifications provide this assurance.” The CIM have had a branch in the North East for over 80 years and want people to strike up a relationship with the professional body in their chosen career, whether they chose to go to university or not. For more information visit cim.co.uk If you are seeking to add to your CV with In a challenging jobs market, the Armed Forces work experience or work shadowing could help you develop your maximum talent and ability opprtunities, then check out nelink.info to speak to lots of employers direct.

informnorth February 2013 11 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:10 Page 12 skills training education qualifications it is more than likely to occur several times over as you redefine yourself and your IT’S YOUR CHOICE... goals and react to employment changes. Why it pays to stay informed Self Assesment - Take the time to assess yourself, ask what your values, interests and aptitudes are. If you can hilst you are at school you can on this path, and how do you even decide discover what roles and environments feel as if you have all the time which path you want to be on? It can be a you prefer and your developmental needs in the world and your whole confusing time, but if you feel passionate W then you can choose a career that can be life ahead of you. about anything, think about that for a And even if it’s partly true, when you while and consider how can you utilise it. better for your personal development. select your GCSE subjects you set the first This can help even at the most basic level, Informed Options - Explore and building blocks for a path of learning that for example, if you are a fan of writing, research the occupations and industries can lead to many career opportunities. you could study English or if you loved car you would like to work in. You can get At this time, learning is the key to getting a engines you could work to be a mechanic more specific information after you narrow foothold on the career ladder to a job you or an engineer. These and many other your options by taking part time work, will love and will be suited, so it is crucial career paths require training and many internships or volunteer opportunities, that you’re as informed as possible. employers, rather than simply asking for reviewing written materials and taking The real question is where do you start 5 GCSE’s might ask for something more part in informational interviews. specific such as 5 A’s or 3 C’s and this is Match Opportunities - Having now why your exam choices are critical. assessed yourself and explored the main These prerequisites are necessary to hop opportunities, you will be able to identify to the next level in your training as easy as which of these will be a better possible possible and knowing what your goals are occupation, what your alternatives are, will help you to plan accordingly. Career and also see what your short and long planning is a life long process, which term options are. includes choosing an occupation, getting Take Action - Be informed, because a job, growing in a job, possibly changing when you know your options you can take careers and in time, eventually retiring. the action needed to get that new job. By Thinking about this process will help you planning and assessing yourself you will in selecting an occupation that will still be be more likely to end up in a job you will in demand and help you in the future. You enjoy, with prospects rather than just blindly may only need to go through this once but scrabling around for just any old work.

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21 22 23 21. In April 2006 we focused on the regions Centre’s of Vocational Excellence, from computer networking to aviation, we discovered that whatever your dream job may be, our excellent network of leading colleges could provide a first class vocational route to help individuals of all ages fulfil their aspirations. 22. In this bumper issue we helped readers to focus on getting more from training, with features on university education, career paths, and an emphasis on the architecture, the building trades and construction. And after receiving feedback from some of our readers, this issue also touched upon age discrimination within the workplace. 23. November 2006 heralded good news with the promise of hundreds of new jobs for the region as the North East was chosen as the location to undertake a massive £300m project to build a state of the art platform for the oil and gas sector. We also helped co-ordinate many of the activities taking place throughout the region to support National Enterprise Week, which had become a regular feature on the informnorth annual calendar and a good way to promote enterprise. Our cover 24 25 26 story highlighted the the inspirational journey of Amy Fettis, who at the tender age of just 20, had already been in business for three years running her own on-line boutique and teen magazine. She had a great smile too! 24. We investigated the wealth of emerging and rewarding careers and business opportunities within the fields of Science and Technology. Working with lots of key regional partners, including Newcastle City Council, Centre for Life and Science City, and highlighted the support that was available to anyone considering science or technology as their pathway to progressing a career. 25. In issue 25 we took a look at careers and opportunities within childcare and the public health sector was one of the key areas we focused on in this eye-catching issue. 26. The special feature within this issue concentrated on the key pathways that were available to people of all ages to improve their prospects and gain a foothold in to a successful career. From courses at colleges to joining the armed forces, or by returning to learning, this issue really did have something for everyone. 27 28 29 27. Sport as a Catalyst was the lead feature in this eye catching issue. With sport playing such a huge part in providing work, opportunities and overall success within the region, we thought it was only fair to showcase some of the our most gifted and talented sports personalities. 28. The key message of this special issue was that if you have the right skills, then there is an abundance of opportunities and you’re sure to be snapped up by employers, with excellent rewards and steady employment well in to the foreseeable future. In partnership with Durham County Council and our Sector Skills Councils, we highlighted where the best careers and job opportunities really existed across the northeast in our‘informative Skills for the Future lead feature. 29. The futuristic image on the cover of our twenty ninth cracking issue illustrated the topic of the content very well - Tomorrow’s People. A very informative piece for any- one wanting to know exactly what skills would be in demand for the workforce of the future. With support from key partners and employers, we looked at the types of jobs 30 31 32 that will be available and what skills you would need to get ahead of the game. 30. This was the first issue of informnorth to have a brand new make-over, which was saw our title split into four helpful, colour-coded sections, Skills & Education, Jobs & Employment, Business & Enterprise and importantly - Community Matters. In our launch issue we featured Business and Enterprise and how starting up a new business in the North East is becoming easier, for those who know where help was. 31. The fantastic summer issue of 2008 continued our new look format with our four helpful sections being positivelt received. We started to develop the sign posting offered by informnorth further by adding the contact details of the most important sources of help and guidance that exist locally, regionally and nationally. 32. Issue 32 saw us bring readers our Student Survival Guide and informative new Learn to Earn articles, helping students with essential survival skills and guidance to a range of training programmes that were open to potential students and trainees. 33. Inside our 2008 Christmas special, we gave all of our readers a cracking bonus 33 34 35 in the form of a brand new Regional Wallplanner, which was hot off the press at Pots, our print partner. We also featured the benefits of on-the-job training versus more formal qualifications and explored the main differences and between the two. 34. We pushed home the importance of academic studies and chose to promote the opportunities open to young people and females in the fields of science, technology and manufacturing, whilst building partnerships to help lots of new organisations. 35. True to form, in this issue we were busy helping to inform our graduate talent about how they could maximize on their work opportunities and their chances after they had completing their studies, ready for the world of work and employment. 36. Just as we were entering the start of what would be the worst economic recession the world had seen in living memory, informnorth was right on cue and was signposting all of our readers to the very best advice and highlighted the benefits of making the most of the partnerships and networking that existed in order to stay ahead of the game. 36 37 38 37. What could be better than a timely article and a few tips on how to land a brand new job? Well how about another regional first and an informative feature Access to on Fifty Ways to Get That Job? Sorted! the internet and a little bitweb savvy? 38. One of the best ways of becoming a successful If so, you can like us at facebook.com/informnorth entrepreneur is to dip your entreprising toes in to and you could be picked little puddles to test the water first. This was the at random to get a issue where we highlighted the benefits of taking the spot prize smallest steps before jumping straight in to the North Sea.

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Issue 39: Once again, we delivered and kept our promise to ring in the New Year properly by giving our readers a round up of the best sources of information and support that was available on their doorstep. We also gave them an added bonus in the form of our ever-popular regional wallplanner, which was featured on BBC’s ‘Look North’ programme and TFM’s breakfast show. This issue was released as recession started to bite and we took the opportunity to pack it full of useful new articles including ‘Cash in Hand’, where we explored the different ways readers could earn a little bit of extra money in their spare time, which went down a treat. And from a business point of view we covered the many benefits of social networking for enterprises and how to make the most of it all.

Another jam-packed issue, where we unleashed 41 a tidal-wave of help and support at a time when cuts in public spending, redundancies were rife and the recession was taking hold and continuing to bite. We recognised that many of our partners had a requirement for help with youth-led and team building activities, events and residentials for adults getting as much value and support as possible and launched The North East Skills Academy (NESA) as a pilot programme with Newcastle City Council and youth groups within the newcastle, along with Changemakers, a leading children’s charity. The NESA quickly became another important and more strategic way to help businesses, charities and many of our voluntary sector partners.

42

Issue 40: Another cracking The North East Skills issue, where we covered lots Academy Delivers: of topical issues that had been We had barely emptied raised by readers. ‘Money the back-packs from the Talks’ was an excellent feature inaugural North East Skills written around the theme of Academy activities when we were straight back at Dizzee Rascal’s massive hit. it and busy again. Working with Mark Stutt and We highlighted how more Hazel Glynn and the team at Aimhigher, we and more people are realising devised and delivered a week-long programme of and addressing the fact that activities and events that involved more than sixteen developing old skills and different partners, including Steve Stokoe’s learning new ones is a great team at Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue way to progress and make Service and Northumberland College. real money in today’s world, particularly in the current And building on the knowledge and the jobs climate. Our snazzy expertise we were quickly developing, we leading article addressed this were proud to be commissioned to help perfectly with lots of case design and deliver a unique weekend studies accompanied with residential for northeast apprentices. sage words and advice.

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Brighter new horizons: In a Issue 44 - the emploment issue: Okay, times were fast moving and ever-changing getting harder. It wasn’t just a case of there being no jobs world, issue 43 was instrumental or employment, but the fact that there were more people in bringing together and updating chasing what was available. We knew this and sprang the help available locally. And in to action with the best advice and case studies to 44 we featured case studies from show readers how they could go Berwick to Teesside and from about being employment ready Darlington to Newcastle East. more easily by being better informed. We received a record number of From offering CV advice and entries to our unique readership guidance to promoting ways questionnaire, which proved we of uncovering the many hidden were on track to engaging with 43 vacancies that can exist, we readers and helped Stockton worked with support agencies, Borough Council and Five Lamps with an important new councils and businesses in all enterprise campaign which was all about helping aspiring parts of our region, to put entrepreneurs to set up fledgling new businesses, with the forward the very best insider very best chances of succeeding in tough times. tips that would lead to success.

hilst there’s no denying that levels seen for decades that we to help people make the last few years have been enter our eleventh year as a social the very best from Wparticularly challenging for enterprise and our second decade. being much better most businesses and probably just And whilst it is clear that there is still informed about their about every northeast community. much for us all to do, a brief look options. Just one quick glimpse at the evening news - at what we have achieved over the The challenges ahead or a newspaper if you still buy one - shows that last few pages - with no hand-outs include working more closely together to austerity isn’t something that’s just present here or public funding in our first ten in our region, where we see it first and feel it ensure that a whole years has been heartening and most, but it’s also in rude health elsewhere in generation of young totally refreshing. We know that the UK and in the world at large. people aren’t just lost in with nothing more than a stark a wave of unemployment With a distinct lack of money floating around ambition and a little bit of help statistics but get a foot- the economy and the effect of public sector cut and support form our partners, hold in to work. At the backs and rising fuel and food costs, it’s no that we can make a clear and lasting same time, it’s important wonder businesses and employers, along with to help adults looking for employment too. people of all ages in the communities where difference by help to inform peopler, so A one thing is for sure, if everybody that has we all live and work, are continuing to suffer they can make better choices, much quicker. a duty to help move our communities and really feel the pinch of austerity. But we know we can’t just sit back and rest on forward gets behind informnorth and our work, It’s with this setting as our backdrop, and with our laurels, and with two ambitious Local we’ll be able to help those who want to get greatly reduced incomes (often a Enterprise Partnerships and twelve great, but ahead and it wil mark 2013 as the year we loss of work or employment for the family under-funded councils serving communities made a much-needed upturn in our opportunities bread-winner) and the highest unemployment across the northeast, we know we are well set and importantly, all of our fortunes too.

2012 has been another great year for raising aspirations them to be much better placed to take the At a time when there is lots of cut backs and the beginnining of 2012 and then start positive actions that are right for them. We change and funding remains tight, we decided to research and piloting our new web portal hope you agree that nelink.info continues to that 2012 was to be a quite different year for nelink.info and explored new ways of meet this need and we hope it can help you. us in a number of important new ways. helping people to become more involved Armed with the expertise and knowledge we whilst joining together the best sources of 45 had built over the last ten years by helping help on offer locally. The aim was to build businesses, community based organisations on our values and stimulate and grow a and charities, we were determined that this stonger culture of self development, fostering issue would become a fitting springboard a far more knowledgeable generation of to our second decade serving the northeast. individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses. Whilst we engage with many audiences that Everything we do helps our readers to find some might consider too hard to reach, we the support and advice they have always ensured that our content is need quickly and easily, but presented in the most accessible and easy it also enables them to be to digest formats possible. Building on this, and seeing the effects a lack of funding and much better placed to take support was having, combined with the cut the actions that are right backs we were already seeing, led us to for them. seeking new ways of doing things more Everything we do helps our effectively whilst supporting lots of other readers to find the support local partners and organisations. and advice they need quickly So we knew we would produce issue 45 at and easily, but it also enables

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CAREER GUIDE: Options from year eight onwards

Year 8 & 9 GCSE Choices - During Year 9, your child will need to make decisions as to which subjects to study for their GCSEs. It is important to be aware of the relationship between these subjects and any possible course your child may wish to take in the future, this can affect their A levels and future training including university. Year 11 GCSE Exams - GCSEs are often a good pointer to success, at post 16 level, and many universities may look at a students’ GCSE results, so they are important when considering student applications to univer- sity. The majority of universities look for Best advice given? good performance, for example over 5 Work hard, be open to anything and subjects at Grade C and above, including don’t give up. Believe in yourself and English and Maths. that you can do it and take charge of As a parent you can support your child in your life; set goals and making sure many ways preparing for their exams, even you stick to them to achieve them. If if you don’t know a subject well yourself. you do have a setback, don’t let it put Providing somewhere quiet to study will you off; find out how to improve and enable them to prepare and revise for move forward. And if you have an their exams and also to complete any opportunity presented, then sieze it. coursework they may have). This will Accommodation Packs During May (of the year the student will Who inspired me: hopefully enable them to achieve the start their course in the September), most Everyone that I have come across has grades they are capable of. universities send out application packs, Year 12 & 13 given me words of wisdom and shaped which include forms that need to be Open Days - All universities offer open the way I am as a person and how I work completed and returned to the university. days, which give potential students the so I owe a big thank you to my family, These forms allow students to specify any opportunity to go to the university campus friends and work colleagues for that! requests for their accommodation, such and have a look around. This is an as for single/mixed sex accommodation, So what’s next? excellent way of finding out more about smoking or non-smoking etc. I will carry on learning - which is very a university. And open days can be either important, as that’s what life is about pre-application or post-application. Before Starting at University Even once a student has finished their and it can help in any future roles that Pre-application open days tend to be exams there is still a lot you can do to I may have. I still enjoy the environmental very general and about the university, help them prepare for going to university. health aspects of the job and as a giving you a feel for the campus and the Ensuring that they are in the country on result I have gained a secondment to institution. Post-application open days are exam results day helps in case they haven’t work for six months in our Scientific linked to the course you have applied for and give you detailed information about achieved the grades they needed. They Services Department, dealing with need to be able to contact the admissions pollution incidences, and trade effluent the course itself as well as the university. They are a good way to meet some of the team to discuss their options. compliance, such as commercial premises lecturers on the course. Although they may have missed their offer discharging substances such as fats UCAS Application by a grade (or two) depending on how into the sewers. Whatever I choose to The UCAS application needs to be other students applying for that course do, hopefully I can progress in my completed and submitted before the have done, the student may still be able to career and excel in a chosen area deadline (which will be available online at take up a place. Whilst it stands to reason through hard work, dedication and ucas.com) to ensure your applications are that this cannot always be guaranteed on enthusiasm, whilst having the odd bit sent to the universities of your choice. every occasion, the admission teams at of fun along the way! Schools often offer support sessions on university will always work hard to try and how to complete a UCAS form and these accommodate all students. can be very useful. In addition, there are also many ways in Student Support Application (PN1 Form) which you can help prepare your child This is the form students need to complete for moving away. between April - June, depending on personal This includes ensuring they know the circumstances, to be able to receive financial basics of cooking for themselves (if they support (i.e. student loans). Delay in are to live away from home); have a returning this form can result in a student basic understating of budgeting and can not receiving their loan payments on time. operate a washing machine!

informnorth February 2013 17 x119035_Inform_p2_ab:x119035_Inform_p2_ab 26/1/13 09:17 Page 18 skills training education qualifications What is social care? Social care is about providing personal and practical support to help people live their lives. It’s all about supporting them to Social care is about maintain their independence, dignity and their control. providing personal In 2009 there were around 1.75 million paid jobs in adult social care in England, and practical support employing 1.6 million people. to help people live Adult social care will only continue to grow and it is estimated that by 2025 the sector may need up to 2.6 million workers their lives. to fill over 3 million paid jobs. Social care is changing rapidly and responding to what people who use services actually want, providing them with greater choice and control. Why choose a career in social care? In a recent survey of people working in social care, 88% of respondents said they were happy in their jobs and 54% of them felt they were very happy. 99% agreed that they like feeling they help people and 96% felt that their work really makes a real difference. You can gain an enormous sense of personal achievement from knowing that your job is helping people and contributing to a caring society. So in this way, social Careers that makes a difference care is about making a positive difference to people’s lives by contributing to their health happiness and well-being. A role to suit you There is a huge range of work opportunities in adult social care tailored to various lifestyle and individual needs. Whether you are looking for a career change, thinking of returning to the sector, or starting working life from school or college, adult so for somebody with a young family for They generally assist with the service users social care has much to offer. instance, it could be perfect. overall care, comfort and well-being. It doesn’t matter about your background, Some of the roles that available • Technicians - Can work for service users how old you are, or even your academic through a career in social care include: by supplying and maintaining equipment or aids that they may require to support qualifications, because you can start at • Occupational therapists - Assess and their needs. just about any level, you may not need treat physical and psychiatric conditions formal qualifications to start with. using specific, purposeful activities to prevent • First line managers - Manage the day- disability and help promote independence. to-day provision of social care services. A Somewhere in your community there is a key role in maintaining standards of practice job that you can do to help others and if • Community support and outreach and supporting staff with care planning, you like working with people, social care workers - These workers help people needs assessment and staff training. work offers a worthwhile job that can turn overcome difficulties, helping them to cope • Senior management - Can include into a rewarding, long-term career. with aspects of everyday living, develop chief executives and directors who lead, Many jobs might offer flexible hours that socially and personally and help them to direct and co-ordinate the functioning of might suit you better than the conventional live as independently as possible. the care organisation at a strategic level. nine to five too. You could choose to work • Care workers - They are the front line Developing your career full time or have a part time career to fit staff in all care settings, working with all A career in social care can offer long-term around family or your other commitments, types of service users receiving direct care. employment prospects, with real lots of real

Newcastle Science City One Point, National Careers Service T: 0191 231 2200 County Durham Council T: 0800 100 900 W: newcastlesciencecity.com T: 0300 026 1111 W: tinyurl.com/ncareerservice W: durham.gov.uk

Sunderland University If we can you can nelink.info School of Computing T: 0191 488 7780 T: 0191 586 6010 T: 0191 515 2752 W: ifwecanyoucan.co.uk W: nelink.info W: cat.sunderland.ac.uk

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Sign of the Times According to StartUp Britain, the number of business start-ups in Britain increased by 10% during 2012 and more than 484,000 businesses were started last year compared to 440,600 the year before. Searching for Work? If you feel you have lots more to offer employers but are unsure how you can stand out at a time when everybody else seems to be searching for work, then take note, as help is at hand and it won’t cost you a penny. Informnorth’s brand new web resource can help you gain more experience and meet lots of new friends and great new contacts, in ways that could lead to paid work or employment. To find out more, visit nelink.info and add your details for free today. Training Centre Move Masters Training Centre in Thornaby has received a third round of finance from UK Steel Enterprise to help youngsters who have been exclud- ed from mainstream education. The Centre, started by Michelle Deen and Susan Walker, has now expanded into new premises on Mandale Road with six classrooms. It now provides training and qualifications and a range of employability skills and year-round activities to help boost confidence and social skills. For more, visit masterstraining.co.uk

opportunities for promotion and of course, find, keep and move on in work. 40% of Vacancies Sales Related career progression. According to a new survey by • Pre-employment training - A short PricewaterhouseCoopers, a third of UK As you work you will develop new skills course that will give you a really good companies are planning to hire more and there will be plenty of great learning idea of what it would be like to work in sales staff in the next 12 months. and development opportunities that can adult social care and at the same time If you think sales is not for you think again. lead to qualifications. These include help you to develop the skills you need Arrow has trained many non-sales people work-based learning, short courses, long to get started. All preemployment training who have managed to get a job in sales. courses, vocational qualifications and for adult social care should lead to a We run several sales taster courses and if apprenticeships. accredited qualification. you are unemployed you may get it free. For more information call 0191 226 7366 So how do you find out about a • Job search and vacancy lists - Online or [email protected] career in social care? vacancy lists and practical help with finding Try the Career Pathways e-tool - an interactive and applying for jobs. Access Provides Solution online tool which helps you to find out • An apprenticeship - Apprenticeships A six-figure contract has been signed what job roles there are in social care and offer a fully comprehensive learning and which has secured the future of a local see what range of skills and qualifications development package to anyone that is training company, are needed. aged 16 or over and who is starting, or saved 14 jobs and ensured hundreds of has already begun a career in social care. It’s a great resource and it’s easy to use, I learners can continue spotted it at an event at Durham Cricket their apprenticeships. Ground before Christmas and you can Training company, find it at skillsforcare.org.uk/careerpathways FW Solutions, was or through our weblinks on inform- subcontracting to north.com or nelink.info. NTQUK to deliver a What support is available to get range of apprenticeships For further information when NTQUK had its me started? about social care apprenticeships go to contract withdrawn The types of support available to you skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). education.gov.uk will depend on your own particular Gateshead based Access Training has nepho.org.uk/social-care-north-east circumstances but might include: now stepped in as lead provider, to take open-university.co.uk • Employability support - Practical support communitycare.co.uk over the £300,000 contract, enabling FW or training that will help you develop the and informnorth.com and nelink.info to continue trading and delivering the skills and attitudes that everyone needs to apprenticeships.

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Informnorth essential guide to further education and training

CITY LEARNING CENTRES: City of Sunderland College ALD Hair & Beauty Training Academy Gateshead City Learning Centre Tel: 0191 511 6060, citysun.ac.uk Tel: 0191 477 7764 aldhairandbeautytrain- Tel: 0191 460 2900, gateshead.org Gateshead College Tel: 0191 490 0300, ing.co.uk Heworth Grange City Learning Centre gateshead.ac.uk AS Training Tel: 0191 422 5882, hgclc.org CoVE Automotive Technology Tel: 0191 490 2430 Tel: 01325 788 141, as-training.co.uk Longbenton City Learning Centre CoVE logistics excellence Tel: 0191 373 4847 Avanta, avanta.uk.com Tel: 0191 200 7533, longbentonclc.org.uk Newcastle College Tel: 01325 286 300 - Darlington Marden City Learning Centre Tel: 0191 200 4000, ncl-coll.ac.uk Tel: 01429 239 970 - Hartlepool Tel: 01642 224 123 - Middlesbrough Tel: 0191 643 8220, longbentonclc.org.uk South Tyneside College Tel: 0191 255 1230 - Newcastle Tel: 0191 427 3500, stc.ac.uk Middlesbrough City Learning Centre Tel: 0191 293 1330 - North Shields Tel: 01642 277 203, mclc.org.uk Oakfield College Tel: 01642 505 050 - Redcar Newcastle City Learning Centre Tel: 0191 273 5558, trinity.newcastle.sch.uk Tel: 01642 610 610 - Stockton Tel: 0191 298 3142, newcastleclc.org Tyne Metropolitan College Babcock International Redcar & Cleveland City Learning Centre Tel: 0191 229 5000, tynemet.ac.uk Tel: 0191 256 7722, babcock.co.uk Tel: 01642 467 138, tinyurl.com/cuow47w CoVE Childcare Tel: 0191 229 5167 Barchester Openzone City Learning Centre COLLEGES - TEES VALLEY: Baltic Training Tel: 0191 427 2120 Askham Bryan College Tel: 01325 731 050, baltictraining.com Tel: 01287 633 870, askham-bryan.ac.uk Southmoor City Learning Centre BL Hairdressing Training Tel: 0191 553 2490, sunderlandclc.org.uk Bede Sixth Form Tel: 0191 261 9636, blhairdressing.co.uk Tel: 01642 373 250, stockton.ac.uk St Robert of Newminster City Learning Centre Brenikov Training Tel: 0191 561 3490, sunderlandclc.org.uk Cleveland College of Art and Design Tel: 0191 281 3520, brenikov.co.uk Tel: 01642 288 000, ccad.ac.uk Stockton City Learning Centre Tel: 01642 371 841 Bridge Enterprise Centre Ltd Tel: 01207 283 474, tinyurl.com/stocktonclc-org-uk Darlington College communigate.co.uk/ne/branwa Tel: 01325 503 050, darlington.ac.uk COLLEGES - COUNTY DURHAM: B-Skill Limited, Tel: 0191 454 5357, b-skill.co.uk CoVE Media-Digital Production and Design Bishop Auckland College TCV, Tel: 0191 414 7876, tcv.org.uk Tel: 0800 092 6506, bacoll.ac.uk Hartlepool Sixth Form College CoVE Childcare and CoVE Adultcare Tel: 01429 294 444, hpoolsfc.ac.uk Business Impact Tel: 0191 497 1920, businessimpactuk.com Derwentside College, Consett CoVE Childcare Tel: 01207 585 900, derwentside.ac.uk Hartlepool College of F.E. Building Futures East Generation Tel: 0191 263 2752, buildingfutureseast.org Distance Learning College & Training Tel: 01429 295 000, hartlepoolfe.ac.uk Tel: 0191 378 7520, dlcandtraining.co.uk Macmillan Academy, Tel: 01642 800 800, Buzz Learning Limited CoVE Logistics & Transport macmillan-academy.org.uk Tel: 01670 852 244, buzzlearning.co.uk CABLE, Darlington Tel: 01325 354 084 East Durham College Middlesbrough College email: [email protected] Peterlee - Tel: 0191 518 2000, Tel: 01642 333 333, middlesbro.ac.uk Carillion Construction Training,carillionplc.com Business Academy, Tel: 0191 518 5539 Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough Durham - Tel: 0191 375 4700, eastdurham.ac.uk Tel: 0191 565 4940 - Sunderland Tel: 01287 280 800, pursglove.ac.uk Tel: 0191 296 1788 - Tyneside King James I Community College Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Darlington Tel: 01388 603 388, kj1.co.uk Tel: 0191 469 9857 - Gateshead - Tel: 01325 461 315, qeliz.ac.uk Tel: 01642 245 982 - Middlesbrough New College Durham, Tel: 0191 375 4000 Redcar and Cleveland College newcollegedurham.ac.uk Centaur Training Tel: 01642 473 132, cleveland.ac.uk Tel: 0191 375 3750, centaur-training.co.uk CoVE Construction Services and Professional Studies Sedgefield Community College, Tel: 01740 621 097 CIA Training COLLEGES - NORTHUMBERLAND: sedgefieldcommunitycollege.co.uk Tel: 0191 549 5002, ciatraining.co.uk Ashington Community High School Sports College - Tel: 01670 812 166, Stockton Riverside College Cleveland Accredited Training Centre ashingtonhigh.northumberland.sch.uk Tel: 01642 865 400, stockton.ac.uk Tel: 01642 313 211, catc-ltd.co.uk Blyth Community College CoVE Childcare, CoVE Adult Social Care Cleveland Fire Brigade, Middlesbrough Tel: 01670 798 100, bcc.uk.com Stockton Sixth Form College Tel: 01642 456 511, clevelandfire.gov.uk King Edward VI School Tel: 01642 612 611, stocktonsfc.ac.uk CoMusica Tel: 01670 515 415, kevi.info/site St Mary's RC Sixth Form College Middlesbrough Tel: 0191 443 4661,thesagegateshead.org Northumberland College - Tel: 01642 814 680, stmarys-sfc.ac.uk Construction Skills Tel: 01670 841 200, northland.ac.uk TRAINING ORGANISATIONS: Tel: 0844 844 0046, bconstructive.co.uk CoVE Services for Inbound and Domestic Access Training, Team Valley CSV City Centre Training & Employment Tourism - Tel: 01670 841 294, Tel: 0191 490 4646, accesstraining.org.uk Tel: 0191 230 3833 tourismacademy.co.uk Action 4 Employment (A4E) Development Training North East COLLEGES - TYNE & WEAR: Tel: 0800 345 666, a4e.co.uk Tel: 0191 230 3033, dtne.org.uk informnorth spotlight on: The Association of Colleges (AoC)

he Association of Colleges (AoC) exists and Specialist Colleges in England. We work to represent and promote the interests with and represent colleges in Wales, Northern Tof Colleges and provide members with Ireland and Scotland through affiliation of AoC professional support services. and partnership with sister bodies in both As such, we aim to be the authoritative voice of countries via the UK Council of Colleges. colleges - based on credible analysis, research, As AoC is a not for profit organisation created advocacy and consultation with colleges - and by colleges for colleges; subscription and the first choice destination for guidance and commercially generated revenue together advice for members. sustain its work in representing and promoting AoC was established in 1996 by colleges the interests of colleges, and in the provision themselves, as a voice for further education and of support services. higher education delivered in colleges at a AoC’s structure includes a busy national office national and regional level. in London, an active network of nine regional Our membership includes General and Tertiary offices which work closely with colleges and Further Education Colleges, Sixth Form Colleges Government agencies in their regions, and a

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qualifications education training skills

Disc Ltd, Newton Aycliffe Learn East, Peterlee, Tel: 0191 586 2402 Seafood Training Centre Tel: 01325 731 160, disc-vol.org.uk Learning Curve Tel: 0191 296 1925 seafoodacademy.org Durham Training, Chester-le-Street Bishop Auckland, Tel: 01388 777 129 SEMTA, Billingham Tel: 0191 388 4488, durhambusinessgroup.co.uk Middlesbrough, Tel: 01642 242 247 Tel: 01740 627 000, semta.org.uk ECIT Tel: 01642 777 719, ecitb.org.uk Lifeforce, Learning and Development Ltd Shildon and Darlington Training Ltd Equality & Diversity Ltd Tel: 0790 334 6806 Tel: 0191 513 1684, firstaidatlifeforce.co.uk Tel: 01388 777 648, sdtraining-ltd.com equalitydiversityservices.co.uk Lomax Training Services Ltd Shotton IT Resource Centre Tel: 0191 516 6398, lomaxtraining.co.uk Expedient Training Services Ltd, Jarrow Tel: 0191 520 8110, shottonitcentre.co.uk Tel: 0191 489 0212, expedient-training.co.uk MCQ Limited, Tel: 0191 265 3003, mcq.co.uk Skills for Life Literacy, Numeracy and First4Skills Tel: 0191 378 3930 first4skills.com Michael Heppell Ltd Language, Newcastle - Tel: 0191 278 2824 Tel: 01434 688 555, michaelheppell.com First Step-multi cultural learning and Skills for Life On-Line, Tel: 0191 370 8807 support for Women, Newcastle Minster Safety Training Services Ltd Tel: 0191 489 0212, minster-training.co.uk Skills 4U Northeast Ltd, Tel: 0191 226 1213, firststepne.org.uk Tel: 01670 716 650, skills4une.co.uk Fit Training, Gateshead MSC Computer Training Ltd Tel: 0191 268 1831, msctraining.co.uk Shape Training, Middlesbrough Tel: 0191 478 8384, fittraining.co.uk Tel: 01642 282 222, shapetraining.co.uk Five Lamps Tel: 01642 608 316 fivelamps.org.uk NACRO, London Head office Tel: 020 7582 6500, nacro.org.uk Springboard Sunderland Trust Fundraising Skills Ltd Head Office Sunderland, Tel: 0191 515 5300, North East Skills Academy (NESA) Tel: 0191 276 3261, fundraisingskills.co.uk Peterlee, Tel: 0191 518 5052 Tel 0191 5866 040, nesacademy.org.uk Future Strategies, Wallsend Hartlepool, Tel: 0191 518 5052 Tel: 0191 262 8029, futurestrategies.co.uk Neta, Stockton Tel: 01642 616 936, neta.co.uk Hetton, Tel: 0191 526 6595 Gateshead (361) Squadron Newton Aycliffe Community Learning Penywell, Tel: 0191 551 8089 Tel: 0191 490 0484 361-atc.com Centre - Tel: 01325 316 558 Roker, Tel: 0191 564 0291 South Tyneside, Tel: 0191 483 4555 Gateshead Collective Tel: 0191 492 4640 Northern Care Training Ltd, Tel: 0191 519 7246 Springboard Adventure, Tel: 0191 526 6684 gatesheadcollective.co.uk northerncaretraining.co.uk springboard-ne.org.uk Gateshead Council Foundation Learning Northern Learning Trust, Newcastle Tel: 0191 212 5800, northernlearningtrust.org.uk Sunderland ITeC Tel: 0191 469 5511 Northern Counties Safety Group Ltd Chester-le- Tel: 0191 549 2842, sunderlanditec.com Gateshead Young Outreach Women’s Project Street, Tel: 0191 387 4488, ncsg.co.uk Tel: 0191 477 7759, gateshead.gov.uk SW Durham Training Ltd, Newton Aycliffe North East Chamber of Commerce Training Tel: 01325 313 194, swdurhamtraining.co.uk General Physics (uk) Ltd, Newcastle Tel: 0191 386 1133, necc.co.uk CoVE Advanced to General Engineering Tel: 0191 491 4419, gpworldwide.com North East Employment Training Talent Training GM Training & Development Agency Ltd, Tel: 0191 490 0092 Tel: 0191 438 7520, talenttraininguk.com Tel: 01434 606 300, gmtraining.co.uk Northern Safety Ltd, Tel: 01642 244 800, TDR Training Ltd, Gateshead Hands On Training North East Ltd, northernsafetyltd.co.uk Tel: 0191 491 1505, tdrtraining.co.uk North Shields Tel: 0191 257 9760, handsontrainingnortheast.co.uk Northumberland Training Agency Teamwearside - Tel: 0191 514 2799, Tel: 01670 534 530, northumberland.gov.uk teamwearside.co.uk Informnorth - the regions only magazine for self development, skills and enterprise. Pet&R - Personnel, Equality, Training & The Wise Group, Middlesbrough Tel: 0191 586 6010, informnorth.com Recruitment thewisegroup.co.uk Tel: 07762 940 769, petandr.co.uk Imass Ltd, Newcastle The TTE Technical Training Group, Tel: 0191 213 5555, imass.co.uk Phoenix Training & Development Ltd Middlesbrough Tel: 01642 462 266, tte.co.uk Tel: 0191 221 1559, phoenixtd.co.uk Investors in People North East Tyneside Training Services Ltd, Newcastle Press Association Training Tel: 0191 516 6464, iipne.co.uk Tel: 0191 286 2919, Tel: 0191 201 6043, pa-training.co.uk ITEC North East Ltd - itecne.co.uk, tynesidetrainingservices.co.uk Rathbone Training Military Preparation Course Newton Aycliffe Tel: 01325 320 052, Tel: 0191 478 8496, rathboneuk.org UK Trades Training Gateshead Tel: 0191 490 4670, Tel: 0191 454 7733, uktradestraining.co.uk Middlesbrough Tel: 01642 232 550 Rainbow Training Centre, Middlesbrough Tel: 01642 533 157, rainbowtrainingcen- VT Training Jet North Tel: 0191 273 5761, jetnorthorg.uk tre.co.uk Tel: 0191 256 7722, vttraining.co.uk JHP Training - Employability, Hartlepool Regional Language Network, Gateshead Workers’ Educational Association Tel: 01429 860 211, jhp-group.com Tel : 0191 423 5622, rln-northeast.com Tel: 0191 212 6100, wea.org.uk JHP Training - Skills, Darlington Reivers Development, Northumberland Year in industry Tel: 01325 287 192, jhp-group.com Tel: 01434 240 245, reivers-dev.com Tel: 0191 416 5656, yini.org.uk JTL Training,Tel: 0800 085 2308, jtltraining.co.uk Saks Academies, Darlington Zodiac Training North East Kaplan, Gateshead, Tel: 0191 495 9590 Tel: 01325 341 621, saks.co.uk Tel: 0845 330 8184, zodiactraining.co.uk

at lunch time whereas their counterparts in to sign the petition! school sixth forms do. It is worth noting that In this section, you will find a number of new institutions such as academies, free schools resources designed to help you start to raise this and university technical colleges will also be issue locally, as well as engage students and funded to provide free meals. staff in your College. We will update this section This is clearly unfair and needs to change. regularly as the campaign progresses. Eligibility for free meals should be based on The AoC’s repreresentative in the North East need, not on where you choose to study. is Alan Dixon, who can be contacted on: very wide range of member networks, through We call on the government to extend free meals 0191 501 8035 which college staff, governors and students to all 16-18 year olds from a disadvantaged inform and shape AoC policy and activity. background. No Free Lunch? is a campaign calling for the You can pledge your support for this campaign FYI: Should you require any further Government to extend free meals to students by signing the petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ information, please contact at who at at college. petitions/31069 and by using the hashtag Pirandeep Dhillon by email direct: 16-18 year olds from a disadvantaged #nofreelunch when you tweet about this issue. [email protected] background who study at a further education Please feel free to circulate this information to or sixth form college do not receive free meals members, staff and colleagues and don’t forget

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FINDING A JOB THAT PROVIDES A DECENT WAGE AND EXCELLENT PROSPECTS IS HARD ENOUGH, BUT IF YOU FIND YOU’RE NOT HAPPY, THEN WHAT’S THE POINT? INFORMNORTH’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CAREER AND JOB SATISFACTION IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT, READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE.

ob satisfaction, we hear the words affect your satisfaction levels. Ask yourself but is it achieved when you go if you have a job, career or a passion? Jhome every night feeling as though Ajob- the pay will probably hold more you are giving one hundred percent appeal than anything else, and have the and all your effort whilst at work? greatest impact on whether you stay or go. Or is it when you consider your job and A career - promotions and career feel as though you have it all - good pay, development opportunities will appeal a fair manager, convenient working hours and your satisfaction will be linked to and a good life-work balance? your status, power or position within the Well actually, job satisfaction covers how company. happy you are in your role combined with the the chances and opportunities you feel A passion - the work itself is the factor you are offered. that determines your happiness and So issues that effect job satisfaction include satisfaction, regardless of money, status, the management style and culture, how or control. well employees are treated and how they If it’s all three then you are one of the work together. lucky ones, who ooze job satisfaction H. Jackson Brown, Junior is a New York from every pore. But just being more Times number-one-best-selling author who aware of the type of work you are doing, lives in Nashville, Tennessee and wrote and the things that you might need for job Life's Little Instruction Book. He says ‘find satisfaction, will help you to identify and a job you like, and you add five days to adjust your attitude accordingly. every week’. So enjoy your job and you Creating job satisfaction won’t be wishing your week away just to Once you have identified how you view get through it and to the next weekend. your job, then you need to work on your For many, job satisfaction is when you attitude towards your job, career or don’t feel like you are at work and are passion. So you need to concentrate and having a good time while doing your job. look at the following key areas: Many of us, although we might enjoy our Are you aware of yourself? If you’re work won’t necessarily feel as though we to be happy and successful, you need to are getting satisfaction…but surely, each understand your strengths and weaknesses. and every one of us should be entitled to It is difficult to feel satisfied with something job satisfaction? you aren’t very good at, so rather than Professional athletes, singers or dancers spend time beating yourself up about it, might have found a way of doing what take a long hard look at the things at they love and getting paid for it, so they which you excel, and try to find a position probably have job satisfaction in bundles. that uses some of those skills too. But do admin workers really dream of Another important aspect of self-awareness sitting at a desk and processing piles is to have a good understanding of your of paper, or factory workers watching personality traits and your preferred style products fly by them on conveyor belts? of working. The truth of the matter is that dream jobs Variety is the spice of life - Lack of are one thing but reality is another. The variety creates boredom and is a common heart of job satisfaction is in your own culprit when it comes to job dissatisfaction. attitude and expectations; it’s more about When your mind is bored you lack interest how you approach your job than any of and enthusiasm even the actual duties you perform. a well-matched job How you think about your job will always becomes dissatisfying.

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““A healthy work life balance and job satisfaction is just as important as a good salary

informnorth February 2013 23 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:12 Page 24 jobs careers opportunity employability And to add variety learn new skills, you can ask for Start or take on a project that uses all of the skills different shifts, get involved with committees at work you would like to use, or want to improve. or consider taking an extended holiday. Commit to professional development - Take A positive or negative attitude? Attitude plays courses, read books or trade magazines and a huge part in how you perceive your job and attend seminars, as it all adds up in the end. your life in general. If you are really angry or Know your options - When you feel trapped, you frustrated, then you won’t be satisfied with can start to get anxious. You begin to wonder what anything. Making a change to a positive else is out there for you, to the point where you attitude requires a lot of work and a very become convinced that anything other than the job strong ongoing commitment. you’re doing has got to be more satisfying. They So stop those negative thoughts from entering say the grass is always greener and when you feel your mind, think positively, don’t think you have options, you have more control. about setbacks, but try to view obstacles A sense of purpose - Find a sense of purpose in as challenges, accept mistakes and the things you do. Even if you have a boring job, then aim to learn from them. it helps a lot if you can see the real benefit you’re Get challenged - Even if the job you providing for people, so even if you are packing are doing is not all that challenging, vegetables remember that someone somewhere is you can seek to make it challenging. enjoying the benefits of your work and from what For example, try to set performance you are doing! standards for yourself and then aim to Balancing your lifestyle - You’ll probably have go on and beat your previous record. heard many times before that you need to keep Teach others your key skills - your life and work in balance. When you focus too Nothing is more challenging, or can much on one, at the expense of the other, you risk be as rewarding as passing putting your whole life in distress. When work takes your key skills and over your life, it is easy to resent it and lose your knowledge on sense of perspective, so try and make sure when to others. you’re at home you are at home and work should When possible, you not even enter your head. can ask for new A healthy work life balance and job satisfaction is responsibilities that will just as important as a good salary. But when your give you opportunities to dream job looks like it will leave you worse off, stretch yourself. what are your options?

PLANNING AN EVENT ON A TIGHT BUDGET?

At a time when resources and finance sarestretched, everybody needs to do much mo re, but with less.

That’s where we fit in. Supported by informnorth, The North East Skills Academy helps bring together the very best partners to help by plan and deliver activities and ev ents that raise aspirations and help change negative perceptions for the better.

We enhance personal, social and educational development and join together business with local communities in exciting ways whe re everybody benefits.

If your business or organisation needss to plan something special and possibly feature wi thin informnorth then get in touch - you won’t be dissapointed - just call 0191 5866 010 today to find out more...

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So the secret to job satisfaction is all about you - and making your next move as rewarding as possible. If you want a complete career change, then bear in mind that the jobs on offer are likely to pay less than your current job and role does. But look past the negatives to gain real job satisfaction and remember, as you gain experience in a new field, your salary will quickly start going up again. The cost of change - We’ve all got bills to pay and as a rule, most of us try to live well within our means. So if we’re earning good money we usually upgrade a bit and spend according to what we earn and this can make switching careers hard, but not impossible. One way to approach this is to write down what you earn and what you spend it on during a regular month. You will start to see areas in which you can cut down, from spending less on take-aways or eating out or switching electricity suppliers to get a cheaper bill - analysing your budget and your income and outgoings will help you to see if you can really consider a different option that could involve taking a pay cut. One thing is for sure - work plays a significant role in our lives, so while you may not be in the career of your choice, it is still your responsibility to make sure that what you are doing is as satisfying to you, as possible. You can choose to take control and make the changes Job satisfaction is all about you need to feel really satisfied and motivated by what lookinglooking at at the the ways ways you you can can you do. If you make one just small change at work today ““ that makes you feel good or different, then you can build get the most out of what on that and in time, will create a satisfying environment for yourself. Being aware of this and being more informed you are actually doing can directly lead to more job satisfaction, so take note take action and you’ll get there for yourself.

ts official that when it comes to happiness at work, gave their jobs a perfect 10 rating, so what does that say?. according to this years City & Guilds Happiness Index Chris Humphries, director general of City & Guilds, comments, Ithat it seems hairdressers really are a cut above the rest. “It may come as a big surprise to some when they find that the On the other side of the tables it appears that our hard working financial reward doesn’t always directly translate in to a happier secretaries, Personal Assistants and admin workers like their jobs working environment, or a much happier employee.” the least. And if you go by location and live in the North East and So what factors do make us whistle while we are hard at work Newcastle in particular, you’re certainly smiling: As19 per cent of then? Well, it seems that 19 per cent of us would like to do people there gave their careers and jobs top marks. something worthwhile and almost 15 per cent just want a more The old saying that ‘Money can’t buy you happiness’ certainly flexible work day. seems true. Almost a third of all people questioned who worked The survey backs up the latest evidence that some of the happiest in the £10 - £15k income bracket rated their job 10/10, while workers are those who feel they have a lot of opportunities for less than 5 per cent of all workers earning between £40 - £45k professional development.

Informnorth’s Guide to the UK’s Top 19 Happiest Jobs & Careers Whilst everybody differs and the average happiness rating for many jobs may vary from your own experiences and your wildest expectations, read through our list to see how people felt about the occupations that they work in.

1: Hairdresser 8.7 8: Leisure/Tourism 7.2 15: Automotive 6.6 2: Beauty Therapist 8 9: Media/Creative 7.2 16: Human Resources 6.5 3: Early Years/Childcare 7.8 10: Accountant 7 17: Banking/Ins/Finance 6.4 4: Doctor/Dentist 7.5 11: Law 6.8 18: Catering 6.3 5: Plumber 7.4 12: Marketing/PR/Advertising 6.8 19: Secretarial/PA/Admin 6.1 6: Electrician 7.3 13: Nursing 6.8 7: Construction 7.2 14: Teaching/Education 6.7 Source: 2012, City & Guilds Occupation Survey

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Real on-the-job work experience might not be as readily available as it once and to gain more experience, people of all ages are now starting to look at the benefits of ‘work shadowing’ and what it offers as a much better way to get your foot in the door, as informnorth reports…

e’ve all done it and we’ve all invaluable when it comes to job searches within the organisation, giving you a great seen the benefits, but during but the opportunities are reducing, and networking opportunity and enabling you Wthese for some people, work when they do arise they can usually be to make better contacts. And who knows - experience is just not an option. more mundane and tedious jobs such as if you can offer to help with a particular If you want to work in an area and need ‘office administration’. problem and maybe do a little bit of work to gain experience, unless you are prepared Work shadowing however, will really help for them, you could even land a job offer. to volunteer, then you might struggle to to prevent you from being relegated to just But it’s not just the individual that can comprehend what ‘work experience’ is. going through the motions of organising benefit from work shadowing, employers But there’s another way to gain an insight, filing cabinets and photocopying bits of and organisations can too. and one that is starting to become more paper for hors at end. Organisations are always looking for favoured by companies and organisations Just as work experience can give you a workers who will provide a good job, and alike - work shadowing. chance to be noticed, work shadowing shadowing provides them with a way of Work shadowing is when you follow or can also help you get your foot in the assessing your compatibility with a mini- ‘shadow’ another worker for training and door to employment. The difference mum investment of time and money. work purposes, observing them doing their between the two is that with shadowing Basically it’s a great way to ‘try before you day-to-day job, while learning the ropes. you will usually have the ear of someone buy’ and find ways of spotting lots of new We know that work experience can be who’s a manager or more influential talent and people with lots of potential.

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The four steps to getting a great you will always be at the forefront of industry-relevant experience that can be a work shadowing opportunity: their mind, which is handy for whenever used on your CV, which will set you head • Determine your interests - think about a job opportunity arises!) and shoulder above other candidates what jobs you would like to learn more • Reflect - consider how the experience when you are job hunting. about, what interests you and what you will benefit you in your next job. What More direct benefits for the see as a future career. Carefully. have you learned? And make sure you busines offering work shadowing • Identify local companies -doyour discuss the shadowing and what you Work shadowing is an excellent way for organisations to identify a potential research and find out about companies gained from it in any job interview. employee and matching them up with a and businesses which support work Benefits for the person shadowing suitable position in the company. It has shadowing. It’s the best start. Work shadowing has many benefits but excellent networking qualities which will one of the most important are the fact that • Contact them or cold call help the organisation showcase their organisations - contact a worker who it will increase your knowledge in a field of products, skills and services. holds the kind of job that interests you work or particular area. It will also enable Follow informnorth’s check list; and ask that person about work you to gain an invaluable understanding K Are you shadowing a position which shadowing. Chance are that nine times of the work place and at the same time, really interests you? out of ten they will be impressed by build up your contacts. K your initiative and might be flattered It will bring a flat job title to life, which will Are you being pro-active? K and therefore, are more likely to help. ultimately enable you to decide if it’s an Are you focused and communicating area you wish to persue and work in. clearly what sort of person or role you • Arrange a suitable time to meet or It’s a useful way of gaining an insight into want to observe, why you want to do it chat, even over email - once contact and what you want to get out of it? your chosen career path and observing has been made and you are accepted, K Are you being flexible - make sure you arrange a suitable day to begin the how people in those roles manage their work load and their time. go with their availability work shadowing. The key is to make K Is the job suitable for shadowing? Most work shadowing can take place in sure you fit in with their availability. Are there any issues around health, Prepare, prepare, prepare less than two days and involves observing confidentiality and safety? someone doing a job or watching them K Make sure when you have completed • Brush up on your interviewing skills - doing their day-to-day role so you can the work shadowing opportunity may the shadowing that you reflect on what learn a lot from different placemnets over lead to a great new job opportunity. you have learnt and how you can a short space of time. It can also give your apply it in the future. • Look and act the part - dress smartly, confidence a boost and make you realise So there you have it. Work shadowing is be on time, take notes if necessary, ask how you can go on and do more. the new and improved pathway to work lots of questions - and smile! While you are shadowing, you can meet experience. Perfect for those who want to work in a chosen field yet do not know • Establish outcomes - know exactly lots of people and this can give you an whether they would actually like it. And what you would like to gain from the edge over other job candidates, who don’t work shadowing opportunity. because it’s flexible, it really doesn’t need know anybody in the organisation.But to take up as much time as formal work • Ask questions - if you are unsure, or importantly, it also allows you to gain experience. something strikes you while you’re shadowing: just ask! Ask about the organisations, its history and the future - this will ensure you come across as keen and everybody loves a keen worker. • Pay attention - at all times! Make sure what you are doing is interesting you, otherwise you are wasting your time, remeber, this is what you are ultimately there to do. And after the work shadowing opportunity has taken place • Thank the person you shadowed - send a card or an email after you have left and personalise it further by saying what you learned from the experience • Stay in touch - after it’s finished make a point of keeping in touch, that way

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those who can TEACH If you have what it takes and want to teach, it pays to get the best training available...

Over the last three years an average of 95% of trainees have gained employment by the December following the training year and many of our trainees obtain posts within our partnership schools. The course starts in September and finishes with the end of the academic year in July. Successful completion leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Key features of the programme: Trainees have a ‘host school’. The majority of the trainee’s time is spent in the host school which enables them to build strong relationships with colleagues and pupils, maintain continuity of teaching and fully become part of a school; trainees develop a sense of belonging and are immersed in school life. The second school experience takes place in a block of 6 weeks in the second half of the Spring term. Central training: Weekly central training takes the form of ‘taught’ sessions that are delivered by experienced, classroom. In the second half of the Autumn term trainees expert practitioners. The sessions are grounded in theory will teach a 30% timetable. The teaching commitment they also provide practical strategies and techniques that increases to 50% in the Spring term and 70% in the Summer can then be applied in classroom practice. Central training term of the training year. also provides an opportunity to share and reflect on their Assessment: All trainees must demonstrate that they have school experience. fully met each of the Teachers’ Standards by the end of School Based Training: School training is individualised the course. Assessment against the Teachers’ Standards is to meet each trainee’s needs and will include a variety of continual and is carried out through graded lesson observations, activities including focused lesson observations of colleagues, termly reviews of practice, formal assignments and weekly tutorials with Mentors, attendance at school-based Partnership Tutor visits. An evidence portfolio is submitted Continuing Professional Development activities, team planning towards the end of the training year which includes evidence and teaching, focused meetings with school specialists, collated over the course of training. colleague and pupil shadowing, undertaking Mentoring and Support: All primary trainees have a research into a school based issue. Mentor who may also be the Class Teacher. Secondary Teaching: During the first half-term trainees have a Professional Mentor who oversees training trainees are not expected to teach. and a Subject Mentor who will focus on the development Time will be spent observing of subject knowledge. In addition to school-based Mentors, experienced colleagues and all trainees have a Partnership Tutor, an experienced, expert learning about practitioner external to the school who will visit the host the craft school on a termly basis. The Course Leaders provide pastoral of the and academic support for all trainees.

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edcar and Cleveland Teacher Training Partnership (RCTTP) is a well APROVENTRACKRECORD established accredited initial teacher training provider working in close RCTTP has a proven track record in and successful partnership with primary and secondary schools in the R delivering a school based programme Redcar and Cleveland area. Our aim is to train reflective practitioners with the of Initial Teacher Training. necessary skills to become committed, creative, enthusiastic and Employment statistics for the knowledgeable professionals, able to meet the demands of programme have been excellent with on teaching in the 21st century. average 95% of trainees gaining We are a small and highly supportive provider. employment by the December following Our strength stems from the relationships completion of the training year. that we have firmly established with our The new programmes will be structured partnership schools and that we develop with so the majority of the training year is our trainees over the course of the training year. These spent working in schools learning about strong and mutually supportive relationships enable us teaching from first hand experience to provide high quality school based training focussed in the classroom. This experience is on meeting the needs of trainees underpinned by a supported by a comprehensive central training programme delivered by expert comprehensive programme of central training delivered practitioners who are working in schools by a range of experienced expert practitioners. and have an up to date knowledge of educational practice.

SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THAT What people say about us: the highly motivated and skilled TRAINING IS RATED VERY HIGHLY The following quotes are taken from teachers they have trained in the time Partnership Tutors and Mentors who that this course has run. In fact, many In the National Exit Survey work with us and Trainees who have of those teachers now hold positions 95% of primary trainees and 100% of secondary trainees gave the top rating recently trained through our current of responsibility and are well on the to the overall quality of their training provision (GTP). way in their careers. RCTTP’s course deserves the credit for this.’ “Support regarding job hunting and ‘I was asked during my interview why interview technique was invaluable.” I chose this training program instead ‘The training year has been one of Trainee 2011-12 of any other. I thought it would give the most challenging but valuable “Feedback on the programme from me the best training of any that I’d experiences of my life. One of the trainees is excellent and they found and I stand by that even more many strengths the RCTTP course comment on both its quality and the high levels of support they receive now. The support and guidance I offers is the high standard of support to trainees and I am especially during the year. There was constant, got was exemplary and the training consistent support advice sessions were also very thorough. I thankful for that and I wouldn’t and feedback.” feel very lucky to have found my hesitate to Trainee 2011-12 recommend way to such a well run course.’ “Professionals who genuinely care this course.’ about the trainees and their needs” ‘This course really is fantastic. I feel Partnership Tutor 2011-12 personally that I could not have been “Trainees have stated to me that all given a better start to my teaching sessions without exception have been career. I have been able to attend valuable to them mainly because they quality training, observe outstanding felt the nature and the content of the teaching and gain experience by sessions had been well thought out and being in the classroom. What more prepared in detail making them highly could I ask for?’ relevant to their classroom experiences” Partnership Tutor 2011-12 ‘This is an extremely well organised course. It is inspiring and at the same For more information time, demanding and the training about teacher training, sessions are well planned and entry requirements and delivered. The centre staff are how to apply, please visit: people of the highest integrity www.inspire2learnblog.com/gtp or and skill… This is real proof of www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/gtp

DON’T MISS OUT - WE ARE RECRUITING NOW Building on the success of the previous Graduate Teaching Programme, Redcar and Cleveland Teacher Training Partnership are pleased to announce that we are now recruiting for two fantastic new programmes; School Direct (working in partnership with Sacred Heart RC School Redcar) and SCITT. We would particularly welcome applications for Secondary MATHS, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, D+T and MFL. Places in Primary RCTTP and Secondary English, History, Drama and PE are also available. Redcar & Cleveland To Find Out More Call: 01642 467 138 Teacher Training Partnership

informnorth February 2013 29 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:13 Page 30 jobs careers opportunity employability a child’s buggy, that you no longer need. Cosmetics sales and party planning. CASH IN HAND: This is very much a social business activity, so you have to be prepared to spend your Profit From Home Working Ideas time meeting and talking to lots of different people in their homes. There are a range Need some extra cash because the of companies that offer this way of working such as Avon and Virgin Vie. If you are effects of the recession and the higher social and you have a good interest in costs of living has finally gotten to you? cosmetics, then this might be a great way Well fear not as Katie Crofton, our for you to make some extra cash. Data entry Okay, I admit that this is one enterprising columnist highlights how of the least exciting ideas, but data entry making the most of what you have and can offer an extremely steady (and not to staying at home could be the way forward… mention flexible) source of extra income. You generally get paid for the number of f you believe everything you read, to get out, then babysitting could also entries you make rather than by the hour, which means you can go back and forth then you might think the sun is out, be a cracking little earner, as you’ll earn to it when you like and benefit by being the recession’s gone away and The yourself £6-10 per hour, but you will need I quick and accurate. Work Programme has led to jobs to have a certain child-friendly disposition falling from the sky onto people’s laps to do consider this sort of job. Handyman services Charging and sadly for us, it’s just not true. people to do their little repair jobs and Hosting and renting out a spare room straightforward DIY tasks, such as putting But the fact of the matter is, there’s never is a great money earner. You can host up shelves or assembling flat-pack been a better time to set up an enjoyable foreign students who often only stay for a furniture is a great money spinner, but you new business that can be run from home certain length of time, such as a few weeks need to ensure you only attempt the tasks by using a favourite hobby as a starting over the summer or a couple of month that you know you can do well. point. And you can get a handle on your while they are studying. Usually you only debts at the same, by following our top need to serve them breakfast but you can Ironing services Even in these cash- home working ideas… negotiate this and possibly include an strapped times, people hate ironing so will Children or pet minding? They say evening meal or even allow them to have happily pay someone to do it. Make sure you should never work with children and their cook their own food. you check out any local competition and animals, well we wouldn’t recommend you find out how much they are charging. From this you could earn up to a £200 a do both at the same time, but minding week and the rental income you earn will be Car cleaning Do you remember as a other people’s pets or children can be a youngster you would often clean family fantastic earner. exempt from income tax, provided this income does not exceed £10,000 in a tax year. member’s cars for extra pocket money? On average you can make £10 for walking Well this can still be done as people are Or why not rent out a room to a student, a single dog each week, which still happy to pay for this service, so you single person or a friend and charge them means you’ll be getting fit can cash in a job that no one really likes. while earning money: a real rent to help earn a bit more cash? Visit Online surveys You can make between win-win. You’ll need to www.idiom.co.uk for a list of schools organise public liability in the UK, who look for home placements. 50p and £5 for each online survey you complete. Yes they can be monotonous insurance just in case Buy and sell through a car boot sale, something happens to the not only to make money but to get rid of but do enough of them and you could be dogs or a member of the your clutter. Or visit an auction house near coining it in. public, but this could still where you live, because they often sell off it’s important to remember that working be well worth it. lost luggage that airlines have failed to from home on any of these ideas doesn’t If you can spare a few evenings match with owners. mean that you have to give up your day and know any parents desperate You bid blind on bags that have had job if you have one. Whilst all of these cameras, iPods and more expensive suggestions can work alongside your day items removed and can sell the bag and job, the kids, your social commitments or contents on eBay or at your car boot sale. any other area which exists quite easily Bags generally go for between £5 - £50 they are designed to offer you some extra but it’s slightly more risky, as your profits money in line with what you already do. will depend on what is in the luggage. And finally, if your goal is to make some Rent out your stuff You can make a extra money by working from home then small fortune from renting out your driveway keep in mind of thinking will determine the or garage, if you don’t need it of course. outcome, so positivity and a strong can-do But there’s also scope to rent out your own attitude is going to me a must. possessions such as your lawnmower or Good luck… now where did I put that iron?

A4e Sunderland ITeC nelink.info T: 0800 345 666 T: 0191 549 2842 T: 0191 5866 010 W: a4e.co.uk W: sunderlanditec.com W: nelink.info

University of Sunderland, TimeBank CSV Training and School of Education and T: 0845 456 1668 Enterprise NE Lifelong Learning W: timebank.org.uk T: 0191 232 6616 T: 0191 515 2479 W: csv.org.uk W: sunderland.ac.uk

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Like to Like Us! The CV Doctor If you’re socially mobile and on Facebook, then An overview of skills-based CVs you can now ‘like’ our brand new social media pages just by visiting us at ets get back to the basics, because field of technical draughtsmanship. So she facebook.com/nelink.info and all too often, some quite simple needs to focus on her key skills. That is, facebook.com/informnorth and changes that really can make a big she needs to emphasise the sort of person who knows, you could even feature in a L future issue of informnorth as a result too. difference to one of the most important that she is and what she can offer as a documents you own - your CV. person and as an employee. That means Reforms to Child Benefit trying to extract for her experiences all of Successful CV’s come in various formats. Families with one earner who has a salary the qualities that will make her attractive However, essentially they contain only two of more than £60,000 will lose their Child main types of information: skills and as a potential teacher. Benefit, while those earning between achievements and some CV’s will focus Louise’s skills-based CV should: £50,000 and £60,000 will lose part of it under reforms to Child Benefit. For more more on skills, while others concentrate 1. Fit on one single A4 page. This signals much more on achievements. information, visit the HM Revenue and that as an applicant she is aware of the Customs website at hmrc.gov.uk benefits of presenting information concisely, and helps the reader scan the information New MAS Service Launched quickly to find out what they want. A new Manufacturing Advisory Service 2. Be tailored to a particular position: (MAS) has been launched by the Government to provide sound advice to this is a sensible approach. If Louise manufacturing businesses to help them changes her mind and decides to specialise grow. The launch of the MAS comes in in something else, she will have to rewrite the wake of figures suggesting that the it. To succeed, thenjob-hunters must be manufacturing sector is continuing to prepared to have more than one CV. struggle due to declining order levels and low business confidence. For more 3. The CV demonstrates that she can offer information, visit mymas.org or call something of value to the employer 0845 658 9600. despite the absence of any paid teaching experience. Focusing on her teaching Graduate Expertise Provides placement and downplaying her career as Boost for NE Businesses a draughtsman, Louise is promoting her If you are looking for a simple and cost enthusiasm, pride and motivation with effective way to find new people for your regard to her new career. business then we can help. Offering a 12 or 24 week subsidised work placement 4. Although Louise’s teaching experience So what do skills-based CVs have? and a free recruitment service, Graduate was essentially in a supportive role, the CV Apprentices is the perfect opportunity A CV that focuses mainly on skills will seek does not mention the word ‘support’ or to try out a highly skilled Newcastle to describe a person’s capabilities rather ‘supported’; instead it concentrates on her University graduate and see how they than listing their jobs or achievements. It active input into the new situation. would fit into your business. For more will use its various sections to highlight a information and to get involved contact person’s professional profile; the areas in 5. The CV is short on educational history, Lydia Robinson on 0191 222 8153. which they have had an impact at work; personal details, outside interests and their technical proficiencies and strengths. career history, precisely because it is long New Jobs for South Shields It may include a mission statement or on teaching skills and focusses on this. AN ENERGY and utilities consultancy has set out plans to create 120 jobs this year, career objective but the candidate’s 6. It doesn’t mention pay or salary; in the after moving into the former home of employment history need not be given in oil industry Louise earned a lot more than failed North East call centre empire any more than skeletal detail; for example, she will as a teacher, and there is no point Garlands. it could appear in a section headed in making invidious comparisons. Utilitywise, which helps businesses to manage their electricity, gas and water ‘Career highlights’ or under ‘Selected 7. The date of her degree is not given. accomplishments’. costs and usage, has moved its 190- Of course, such information is available strong workforce from Jarrow into the A skills based CV is useful for people who on request, but since Louise’s degree was five-storey building at Market Dock, South have had a break from employment and done at least a quarter of a century ago, Shields. do not wish to draw immediate attention mention of it would only emphasis her age to the fact; for example, women returning and perhaps rule her out for an interview. Small Firms Take on New Staff to work after having or raising children, The hiring intentions of small firms in the recent graduates who do not have much 8. The CV will provide a prospective private sector rose by 7% between Q2 or any employment history, or people interviewer with the cues they require for and Q3 of 2012, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and changing careers. structuring their interview, should Louise get one. More importantly, they are going Development (CIPD). The report also Let’s start by looking at a typical skills- found that 21% of employers planned to to be the cues that Louise has determined based CV for a technical draughtsman increase the number of temporary workers from the very start of the process. called Louise, who now wants to switch over the next 12 months. Gerwyn Davies, and do something different, in this case, to In summary, skills-based CV’s emphasise labour market adviser at the CIPD, said: human potential and they sell a person’s “Sustainable recovery, supported by teach Design Technology at a secondary growing consumer confidence, may well school level. Shee has already taken the qualities, rather than their achievements depend on the extent to which firms are first step by completing a teacher - training and remember, that when you are happier able to convert these part-time and course (PGCE) but obviously, can’t focus to talk about your achievements you need temporary jobs into more full-time and too heavily on her achievements in the a different approach. permanent roles”.

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Informnorth essential guide to higher education, careers & employment

NORTH EAST UNIVERSITIES: Weston Spirit, Newcastle University of Northumbria, Careers Service Open University Tel: 0191 274 0027, westonspirit.org.uk Tel: 0191 227 4204, northumbria.ac.uk Tel: 0191 477 6100, open.ac.uk Youth Organisation Council, Gateshead University of Sunderland, Careers Service Queens Campus, University of Durham Tel: 0191 490 1900, yis.org.uk Tel: 0191 515 2920, sunderland.ac.uk/ces Stockton - Tel: 0191 334 2000, CAREERS ADVICE: ARMY CAREERS: dur.ac./queens-campus Barchester Healthcare Armed Forces Careers Information Offices - University of Durham Recruitment: 01608 645 Ashington - Tel: 01670 813 246, 831tinyurl.com/barchester-apprentice Tel: 0191 334 2000, dur.ac.uk Bishop Auckland - Tel: 01388 604 110, Newcastle University Careers Advice Plus, Tel: 0191 443 4216 Darlington - Tel: 01325 464 530, Careers Advice Services, Tel: 0800 100 900, Tel: 0191 222 6000, ncl.ac.uk Durham - Tel: 0191 384 7682, careersadvice.direct.gov.uk Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 243 413, Northumbria University Connexions County Durham Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Tel: 0191 232 2306, Tel: 0191 232 6002, northumbria.ac.uk Tel: 03000 261 111, help4teens.co.uk South Shields - Tel: 0191 455 5043, University of Sunderland MySteps - Northumberland Sunderland - Tel: 0191 565 8817, mod.uk Tel: 0191 515 2000, sunderland.ac.uk my-steps.co.uk LEARNDIRECT CENTRES: Teesside University Connexions Tyne & Wear learndirect.co.uk Tel: 01642 218 121, tees.ac.uk Tel: 0191 490 1717, connexions-tw.co.uk Access IT, Hartlepool Tel: 01429 283 278 GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES: Gateshead - Tel: 0191 433 6800, Business Advice Direct Ltd, Darlington Newcastle upon Tyne - Tel: 0191 277 1944, Business Bridge Programme Tel: 01325 749 132 North Tyneside - Tel: 0191 643 6965, Tel: 0191 515 3798, bridgenortheast.org.uk South Tyneside - Tel: 0191 424 6630, CEP Associates, Ashington Gap Year - 01473 231 843, gapyear.com Sunderland - Tel: 0191 561 7333 Tel: 01670 521 805, cepassociates.co.uk GLEAM - Tel: 0191 334 5730, gleam.org.uk One Stop shop Connexions Darlington Chinese ICT Centre, Newcastle Graduates for business Tel: 01325 406 170, Tel: 0191 230 3158, c-ict.co.uk tinyurl.com/darlingtonconnexions Tel: 0191 244 4000, graduatesforbusiness.co.uk Communicators Training Associates Ltd Graduates for growth Connexions Hartlepool - Tel: 01429 275 501, Newton Aycliffe - Tel: 01325 308 840, graduatesforgrowth.org.uk tinyurl.com/connexionshartlepool communicatorsltd.com Prospects - prospects.ac.uk Middlesbrough Youth Unite - Exchange Group, Tel: 01642 240 081, youth-unite.com Shell Technology Enterprise Newcastle - Tel: 0191 221 1177, Connexions Redcar - Tel: 01642 777 543, Programme (STEP) Newcastle Outer West - Tel: 0191 264 5716, redcarclevelandcyptrust.org.uk Wahington - Tel: 0191 417 2911 Tel: 0870 036 5450, step.org.uk Connexions Stockton - Tel: 01642 677 600, exchangegroup.co.uk TEDCO - Tel: 0191 428 3300, tedco.org tinyurl.com/connexionsstockton FBU TUC, Northumberland The Graduate - thegraduate.co.uk Edge Campaign edge.co.uk Tel: 01670 534 685, ulf.fbu.org.uk The Hatchery - Tel: 0191 5853341, Industrial Trust, industrialtrust.org.uk Hargreaves Training, thehatchery.sunderland.ac.uk Informnorth - the regions only magazine Hexham - Tel: 01434 608 410, YOUTH SUPPORT: for self development, skills and enterprise. Blaydon - Tel: 0191 499 0900, CSV Travellers Youth Project Tel: 0191 586 6010, informnorth.com hargreavestraining.com Tel: 0191 232 6616 National Careers Service Tel: 0800 100 900, Hartlepool College, Tel: 01429 295 111 Development Training North East nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk. Kaplan Professional Tel: 0191 230 3033, dtne.org.uk Teesside University, Careers Service Consett - Tel: 01207 588 550 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Tel: 01642 342260, tees.ac.uk/careers Horden - Tel: 0191 518 4394 Tel: 0191 270 3000, theaward.org/northeast University and College Admissions Service North Shields - Tel: 0191 257 8000 Fairbridge, Newcastle ucas.com South Shields - Tel: 0781 498 6614 Newcastle - Tel: 0191 245 5422 University of Durham Sunderland - 0191 522 8447 Middlesbrough - 01642 327 583, Careers Advisory Service kaplanprofessional.edu.au fairbridge.org.uk Tel: 0191 334 1430, dur.ac.uk/careers-advice Learning Concepts Ltd, The Prince's Trust, Gateshead University of Newcastle, Careers Service Bishop Auckland - Tel: 0191 566 0972 Tel: 0191 497 3210, princes-trust.org.uk Tel: 0191 222 7748, careers.ncl.ac.uk South Shields - Tel: 0191 566 0975 informnorth spotlight on: National Childbirth Trust - NCT

Becoming a parent is a unique and special them every step of the way with free time, and every mum or dad wants to get information and emotional and practical it right. But what is ‘right’? And where can support. they turn if, after enjoying the excitement of You don’t have to be a member to benefit pregnancy and birth, they realise nothing from the charity’s wealth of expertise - our has prepared them fully for the changes a free and low-cost services are available to new baby brings? everyone. NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, NCT’s website, nct.org.uk, is the gateway provides much-needed support for every to our active community of local branches, new or soon-to-be mum and dad, and a where new and expectant parents can place to turn on both the good days, and meet local families, find out about local the bad. events and activities and get support from Every new parent has days when they need mums and dads who’ve been there before. a bit of extra support, and NCT is with There are NCT branches right across the

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employability opportunity careers jobs

Sunderland - Tel: 0191 566 0978, Teaching - Tel: 0845 6000 991, Tracie Oliver Recruitment & Teacher learningconcepts.co.uk useyourheadteach.gov.uk Supply Ltd, Sunderland Tel: 0191 514 0233, teachersupply.co.uk Learning Links Tourism - tourismtraining.biz Chester-le-Street - Tel: 01670 712 873, Working Links, North East, EMPLOYMENT & RECRUITMENT: Cramlington - Tel: 01670 712 873, Tel: 01642 236 747 workinglink.co.uk Newcastle West - Tel: 0191 273 6520, Adecco UK Ltd EDUCATION & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS: Stockton - Tel: 01642 613 465, Tel: 0208 307 6481, adecco.co.uk Blue Venture South Tyneside learninglinkseurope.com At Work Recruitment, Middlesbrough Tel: 0191 482 573, blueventure.co.uk Newcastle TUC Centre - unionlearn.org.uk Tel: 0800 019 4343, atwork.co.uk Durham Education Business Partnership, Pertemps Learning and Education Blue Square Recruitment, Sunderland Newton Aycliffe Tel: 01325 375 959, Alliance Limited Tel: 0191 511 6242 durhamebp.org.uk Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 425 200, bluesquarerecruitment.co.uk Education Business Connections, Sunderland West Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 755 500, Central Employment Agency, Newcastle Tel: 0191 516 6411, ebcltd.org.uk Redcar - Tel: 01642 426 330, Tel: 0191 232 4816, centralemploy- Stockton - Tel: 01642 425 560 Gateshead Education and Business ment.co.uk Sunderland - Tel: 0191 337 0340 Partnership, Gateshead Tel: 0191 433 8655 Corepeople Recruitment Ltd, Durham ppdg.co.uk Learn2work, Stockton Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough Tel: 0191 386 3300, corepeople.com Tel: 01642 662 600, learn2work.net Tel: 01287 280 8000, pursglove.ac.uk First Choice Recruitment Newcastle Education Business Partnership System Training, Blaydon Sunderland - Tel: 0191 565 0322, Tel: 0191 277 4444, newcastle-ebp.org.uk Tel: 0191 499 0900, system-trainingcpc.com Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 213 322, firstchoicerecruitment.com North Tyneside Education Business The Hope Foundation, Middlesbrough Partnership, Wallsend - Tel: 0191 200 1551, Tel: 01642 232 220, hope-foundation.org.uk Jobcentre Plus: To make a claim for benefit northtyneside.gov.uk/ebp/index.shtml Tel: 0800 055 6688, INDUSTRY ADVICE: Northumberland Education Business Jobseeker Direct: 0845 6060 234, British Association for Counselling and Partnership, Blyth Tel: 01670 541 534, jobcentreplus.gov.uk Psychotherapy Counselling - bacp.co.uk northumberland-ebp.org.uk Manpower Charity Employment - jobsincharities.co.uk Schools Northeast Newcastle - Tel: 0191 221 2345, Tel: 0191 204 8866, schoolsnortheast.com Child Care - childcarecareers.gov.uk Darlington - Tel: 01325 468 621, Complementary Therapies Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 245 951, Sunderland Education Business Partnership icmedicine.co.uk Sunderland - Tel: 0191 567 6959, Tel: 0191 443 2938 Construction Skills manpower.co.uk TWEBLO Limited, Tel: 0191 516 6166, Tel: 0844 844 0046, cskills.org North East Recruitment Ltd, Stockton tweblo.org County Durham and Darlington Fire and Tel: 01642 702 700, nerltd.co.uk SUPPORT AGENCIES: Rescue Service, Fire and Safety Training NRG (Northern Recruitment Group) H.Q. Department for Children, Schools and Families - dfes.gov.uk Tel: 0191 332 4335, ddfra.co.uk Newcastle - Tel: 0191 232 122, nrgplc.com General Social Care Council - gscc.org.uk Department for Business, Innovation, Pertemps and Skills (BIS) Leisure Industry - leisureopportunities.co.uk Newcastle - Tel: 0191 255 7900, Tel: 020 7215 5555, dius.gov.uk National Childminding Association Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 233 500, Tel: 0845 880 0044, ncma.org.uk pertemps.co.uk Learning Skills Network Tel: 020 7297 9000, lsneducation.org.uk NHS Careers - nhscareers.nhs.uk, Ranstad UK, Middlesbrough whatcanidowithmydegree.nhs.uk Tel: 01642 254 633, uk.randstad.com National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education, Police - policecouldyou.co.uk Reed Employment, Sunderland NIACE for North East Region Prison Service - hmprisonservice.gov.uk Tel: 0191 567 4098, reed.co.uk Tel: 0116 204 7058 www.niace.org.uk Public Sector Employment Opportunities Solutions Recruitment, Newcastle Skills Funding Agency sector1.net Tel: 0191 221 0402, solrecruit.co.uk skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk Social Work - Tel: 0845 604 6404, Team Services, Middlesbrough Young Peoples Learning Agency socialcarecareers.co.uk Tel: 01642 300 002, teamsltd.co.uk Tel: 0845 337 2000, ypla.gov.uk

northeast, so why not find out what’s you can find your nearest baby changing happening in your community? facility, add new facilities in your area and Right from early pregnancy, NCT’s rate them to help other parents. Pregnancy & Baby is our week-by-week Sometimes you need a friendly and email guide packed with all the information experienced listening ear, and through FYI: For practical mums and dads need to help them NCT’s national helpline - 0300 330 0700 and emotional through to early parenthood. Register on the charity is there for mums and dads support in all areas our website, where you can also visit the when they need us most. For the cost of of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood charity’s online info centre for trusted a local call from landlines, parents can including help with feeding, call our information free from commercial speak to one of our trained practitioners Helpline on 0300 330 0700 pressure. about all aspects of pregnancy, birth, To get support in your area, find your Mums and dads can get support even feeding and early parenting. local branch at when they’re out and about, with the help NCT supports hundreds of thousands www.nct.org.uk/branches of NCT’s free iPhone app NCT of parents each year, making sure every Babychange. With our award-winning app, family gets the very best start possible.

informnorth February 2013 33 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:14 Page 34 start-up business enterprise entrepreneur STARTING OUT RIGHT: Making a Business Plan

roducing a Business Plan won’t invaluable help in this task, but it is not automatically ensure that your a job to be rushed; careful preparation Pnew business is successful, but stands a better chance of success than a it will help you to face the future in document hurriedly thrown together just a much more realistic way and present won’t have. In any case you need to keep your ideas to somebody else in a much it simple and keep it to the point. more formal and factual manner. The main headings you will need to So the way in which the plan is drawn consider when putting your Business Plan up and presented is very important. The together are: business that takes the trouble to produce Purpose of business: What you are its business plan in a logical and presentable going to be doing or selling and broadly, way is more than likely to adopt the same in what sort of market will you be doing it. approach to its business opportunities. Marketing Strategy Competition: Based Visit the major banks and collect their on your market research and carefully up and running. End on an optimistic and booklets on business planning. You will costed inormation, you need to highlight enthusiastic note. find many helpful suggestions on how to where you fit in and what makes you and Many small businesses do not fully draw up a business plan and it might be a your business different. wise move to base yours on the format understand the role that business Starting up requirements: What sort of suggested by the bank you intend to planning can play in helping them and too premises, machinery, materials, furniture, approach for funding or a possible loan! many mistakenly believe that a business vehicles, telecommunications or PCs do plan is just an aid to secure finance, rather Do not be afraid to seek assistance in you think your business needs. than an essential business practice which drawing up your business plan, but can increase the overall efficiency of a beware of copying other peoples. Your Grey areas of the business: The things business. business is sure to be unique and your that are unknown and points that you can- plan concerns your business and not yet be precise about,. From Teach Yourself small business health check by your business alone. Remember that your The way forward: Some idea of how Anna Hipkiss (ISBN 0-340-90651-0) available book keeper or accountant can provide long it will take to get your business really from Hodder Headline, priced at £9.99 Semta can help you improve your business performance through:

s upport

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If you’re searching for lots of new things to do and Everythi better ways of getting things done, then welcome through to nelink.info - a brand new online resource that is There ar supported by informnorth to work alongside our business unique, self-development and skills magazine. Gaini As a social enterprise, it was important that nelink oppo was no-cost or low-cost from the outset and would emplo present lots of great ways to connect people of all it’s to ages together. So the aim is to help link people Talent together in quite different ways, joining businesses and with t communities to get things moving across the northeast And if in the face of continued cut backs and austerity. to do It doesn’t matter where you live, what age you are, Recru what you are doing or even what you are searching most for, we can help you. And because one thing often the no leads to another, you’ll quickly discover how nelink can their open the door to new friends and contacts and lots of of em exciting new opportunities for free. It’s also a fantastic Uniqu low cost resource to help businesses, charities and free t community based organisations to get ahead too.

Get expertise and real solutions for your business Have you ever been up against things or put in a corner without knowing where you could turn first, for real help and support? Have you got a list of things that need to be done that’s as long as Michael Jordan’s arms, but you lack the resources needed? Of course you have, so that’s exactly where nelink will prove to be a real help. Use the special purple NE Volunteering panel to get in touch and we’ll match you with two people who have the the very best skills and expertise. There’s a small £10.00 admin fee to pay as a paypal donation, but put us to the test and request help from our pool of knowledgeable experts and you’ll not be dissapointed.

Socially Mobile? Check out the special links we have to best social media sites on our home page. Take the time t love and like us at facebook.com/nelink.info and facebook.com/ a personalised message from Louise, our social media col the scrolling panel at the bottom of our main pages to cli visit some of the great partners and sponsors that have made

L1 L2 L3 Work Experience Volunteering Click here to find businesses that Use this panel, or the drop down are and happy to speak to young menu at the top of the page, lets add people and adults about gaining your details to nelink’s special Talent valuable work experience or work Pool. It only takes a few clicks and shadowing opportunities. Employers your skills and knowledge could really of all sizes can add their details to help somebody that needs a hand. the regions’ largest open-source It’s a great way to do something useful directory quickly and easily - and for and make lots of new friends and great free. Search businesses by post code contacts. Of course, your business skills and key word and contact them and business expertise count, but your direct by clicking on their details hobbies and interests are in demand and sending a personalised message. too and just as welcome.

36 February 2013 informnorth x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:15 Page 37

OU TO HELP YOURSELF

rything we do is either free, or a low cost donation ough paypal. re are four main ways we can help individuals and Gain valuable work experience nesses and community organisations and these are: Gaining Work Experience and more work shadowing It stands to reason that employers are looking opportunities. It’s free to add your details if your an for new staff and the kind of talent that have employer so you appear in the search results, and the very best skills and qualifications, but when t’s totally free for individuals to access and use. you are new to a role or just starting out in life, having real work experience can help open the alent Pool, provides a special skills-matching service with two people with the skills to help solve problems. doors to more work and paid employment. Use And if you’re looking for something different and useful our fully-searchable work experience section to o do, it’s free to add your expertise, interests and details. explore different job roles and areas of employment and click on the details on display to contact Recruiting New Staff, as quickly as possible through the employers quickly and most cost effective online platform serving all parts of directly, with no fuss and he northeast. And Job Hunters are able to upload no hassle. It’s free to search heir CV, digital portfolio full details for thousands and free to use and if you’re of employers to see for free. an employer, you’ll find it’s Unique Next Steps advice and guidance platform that’s also free to add your details. ree to access and free to use, and is fully searchable.

At the heart of nelink is its capability to help people become more involved - and help others in ways they will benefit We provide a special match making service, that links people together with great opportunities. All of our volunteers are fantastic and absolutely anybody can volunteer to help somebody through nelink! Of course, anybody that gives up their time and expertise to help others is special. You are sure to fit in straight away, we have volunteers who are former service users, students, retired, unemployed, employed, disabled, non-disabled, old and young, and from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. And all of our volunteers know that we don’t do volunteering like anybody else - we use it to connect people together in ways where they can help make a real difference and will benefit as a direct result. We do this by matching the best expertise and talent with requests from businesses, charities and organisations that have a problem and find they need a little extra help. There's an opportunity for almost everyone who shares our vision and values, and all volunteers having contact with children or vulnerable people will be screened by the organisations they are linked with. For those coming into contact with children a high level of support and training is provided by the organisation you will be supporting, and there is often further training to help volunteers develop their full capacity too. We also ensure that volunteers who support nelink and campaign for us are fully supported in their important role and all of our volunteers get a Linkedin profile, which is more professional than facebook, get lunch and receive their full ve to some of the very out-of-pocket expenses and just as importantly, receive a personalsed testimonial from the businesses and organisations time to spread some their skills are linked to, that seperates them from the crowd and that potential employers can check out at interviews. .com/informnorth to get a colleague. And use to click through and *Use our special ‘click here for made nelink possible. more resources’ line, at the bottom left hand side of each Easy & cost effective recruitment page, to access and download What’s the first thing you do when looking for new lots of free resources that show you how to get the most from nelink. staff to fill your vacancies? Three quarters of all people do exactly the same thing and ask around. They can’t afford to waste resources advertising Recruit New Staff and often don’t have the budget to use recruitment agencies. This is where nelink helps. Charging just Through this panel, we can help £60.00 to advertise a vacany for two full weeks at you advertise your vacancies to a time, we provide the most cost effective platform direct to thousands of job hunters for recruiting new staff and talent anywhere in the as cost effectively as possible. Use our special preview window to fully northeast. Take a look - and start saving today! personaIise your advert in minutes with your company logo, a full job We have tested and piloted nelink with a number of partners, for description and your application example, with Universal Jobmatch and Jobcentre Plus through our form, for job hunters to contact you special recruitment platform, who supplied the unique coding that direct. All of your content is as safe allows all employers and Job Hunters to search through vacancies and secure and it’s easy to pay using by job name, work pattern, hours, location or even by SOC code. our special paypal donation button.

informnorth February 2013 37 x119035_Inform_p2_ab:x119035_Inform_p2_ab 26/1/1309:21Page38

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Sarah has now successfully gained an I had a chance to visit the place where Intermediate Apprenticeship in Business I would be working. and Administration at the British Israel After all my worries were settled, thanks to World Federation-Bible College. the wonderful team at S&D, I decided an Sarah writes… “Before I started my apprenticeship was for me. apprenticeship, it’s easy to say I was rather I think I made the right choice and I felt miserable on job seekers. The lack of very happy that I was back doing something money and jobs available was getting me productive with my life. I now love my down, and I was desperate to start doing work place, the people here, and the jobs something productive again, as I had I am assigned. I find the work for the qual- recently finished college. ification interesting and find it is not The Jobcentre asked me if I would like to a chore to complete! attend a program at S&D training, 2 days I seriously would recommend an a week for four weeks, where I could brush apprenticeship to anyone who is in the up on my interview and CV techniques. I same boat as me. S&D are extremely saw this as a great opportunity to get me helpful and I am very grateful and happy out of the house, back doing something with all of the support I have received productive and give me a better chance so far.” arah Hauxwell was referred to at getting a job. S&D Training to attend the Gateway I found the program helpful, and I felt a S&D Training Ltd, 1b Henson Close S18 course by her Jobcentre Plus lot more confident, which was when I was South Church Enterprise Park, advisor. Sarah completed the course approached about doing a Business and successfully gaining the Level 1 Award in Bishop Auckland, County Durham Admin apprenticeship. At first I was unsure, DL14 6WA Employability and Personal Development. as I didn’t know if I wanted to get back Tel: 01388 771740 She lacked confidence but impressed into studying, and working at the same Fax: 01388 771759 her tutor and was put forward for an time. However, S&D gave me lots of Email: [email protected] apprenticeship vacancy. information on the apprenticeship and

informative (as in “information”) adj. : increasing knowledge; providing or conveying the required information, often much sought after, helpful, needed, required and of true value

visit www.informnorth.com

informnorth February 2013 39 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:15 Page 40 start-up business enterprise entrepreneur The incentive is aimed at helping eligible employers to offer young people Apprenticeship Matters employment through the Apprenticeship An Apprentice for YOUR organisation programme, by providing wage grants to assist employers in recruiting a young apprentice. We will provide grants to employers who are eligible and who pprenticeships provide real, their workplace more productive. employ less than a 1000 people with measurable business benefits. • Apprentices are loyal and hardworking £1,500 to encourage employers to take They bring productive, enthusiastic A and help businesses grow. 88% of on 16 - 24 new apprentices. and loyal people into an organisation employers who employ apprentices believe With a workforce of 8 employees, TW and demonstrate a commitment to that Apprenticeships lead to a more investing in people. Plumbing & Heating won the Small motivated and satisfied workforce Employer of the Year winner at the North Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce • 83% of employers who employ has the practical skills and qualifications East Apprenticeship Awards 2012. They apprentices rely on their Apprenticeships your company needs now and in the are a local employer reaping the benefits programme to provide the skilled workers future. Plus the mixture of on and off job of employing apprentices. Here’s what learning ensures they learn the skills that that they need for the future they have to say: work best for your business. • 81% of consumers would prefer to use “As a Company we believe very strongly a company that employs apprentices that engaging and training our own But what are Apprenticeships? They are a employees into time served tradesmen • One in five employers are hiring more job with training designed to meet the needs through the Apprenticeship programme apprentices to help them through the of employers, which lead to nationally is far more cost effective than hiring tough economic climate. recognised qualifications. There are more experience staff. We firmly believe that than 250 different types of Apprenticeships Apprenticeship funding is available from our approach has enabled us to create a available offering over 1,400 job roles the National Apprenticeship Service. The workforce where everybody appreciates within a variety of industry sectors ranging size of the contribution varies depending each other and bonds well together, from accountancy and engineering to on your sector and the age of the which results in a positive and motivated veterinary nursing and floristry. candidate. If the apprentice is aged workforce who genuinely want to do well No matter what size your company is, 16-18 years old, the cost of the training for themselves and the company.” Apprenticeships can offer real business will be fully met. To find out more about Apprenticeships, benefits. The National Apprenticeship Service has or if you are interested in taking on an • Apprentices increase productivity and an employer incentive (AGE 16-24) apprentice visit: efficiency. Over 80% of those employers available to support employers to recruit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call our who employ apprentices agree they make young people from this age group. employer helpline on 08000 150 600. Target Your Next Advertising Campaign

If you are looking for a great promotional deal to make the most of a limited advertising budget, then we can help. As a special introductory offer and for a limited period, all new customers advertising in our special Spring/Summer issue will also receive 1,000 x full colour, A5 single sided leaflets printed on quality stock reproduced from the artwork, which we will also set for you. The rate card cost for a quarter page advert on its own is £520.00* per insert so this is a superb deal - and we will also supply your promotional advert as a high resolution pdf for circulating electronically - or for uploading to your website, for customers to access and see online too. Other quantities and sizes of leaflets can be supplied including full colour, large format posters, so ask for details. Act now as demand will be high and availability is limited. To reserve your space or find out more contact me direct on 0191 5866 040 or email [email protected]

*Excludes*Excludes VAT,VAT, wherewhere applicable.applicable. MustMust notnot havehave advertisedadvertised withwith usus inin thethe lastlast 1212 months to qualify. Leaflets will be reproduced on 130gsm quality gloss or matt stockstock withwith aa fullfull advertadvert settingsetting andand completecomplete proofingproofing serviceservice wherewhere required.required.

40 February 2013 informnorth x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:15 Page 41

New Tees Office for Suppliers Quality Office Supplies, one of the UKs INDUSTRY INDSIDER leading providers of suppliers has set up Women better off without men? its eighth UK office on Teesside in UK Steel Enterprises Innovation Centre at Redcar and has already added Nathan Haslam and Kimberley Montgomery-Smith ew research suggests women equal numbers of men and women present to its sales team alongside Branch earn relatively more money and working in an occupation the men Manager James Lees. The company’s Nwhen they choose careers not dominate the high-paying jobs. online presence will also be developed dominated by men. “Higher overall segregation tends to from Teesside as demand for its range of products is fuelling the company’s growth. A study of 20 industrialised nations found reduce male advantage and improve the that in countries where men and women position of women,” said Dr Racko. tended to work in different occupations the “The greater the degree of overall pay inequality between them was almost segregation, the less the possibility exists always lower. for discrimination against women and so The biggest inequality in pay was found to there is more scope for women to develop be in Japan, with Slovenia being the fairest progressive careers. to women. In fact on average, the “For instance, within nursing men research shows that most women earned disproportionately fill the senior positions... slightly more than men in Slovenia. but the fewer the number of male nurses there are, then the more senior each of the positions that must be filled by women. Government Websites Migrate “Perhaps our most important finding is The new Government website GOV.UK, that, at least for these industrially developed launched in October now incorporates the countries, overall segregation and the Department for Transport (DfT) and vertical pay gap dimension are inversely Department for Communities and Local related. The higher the overall segregation, Government (DCLG), which have both the lower the advantage to men and this is moved their information to the site. Over the next 18 months, hundreds more directly contrary to most popularly held Government websites will migrate in a assumptions.” move which is expected to save taxpayers The research, was recently submitted and £50 million per year. You can link directly published in the journal Sociology Today, to the new online resources through compared the degree to which men and nelink.info - informnorth’s new regional women are working in different professions web portal with the click of your mouse. with the gap between their pay. Raising the Bar Dr Racko, Professor Robert Blackburn, The North East Skills Alliance for of the University of Cambridge, and Advanced Manufacturing is supporting Dr Jennifer Jarman, of Lakehead, com- companies to recruit more apprentices piled and used statistics for each country and graduates. Run by skills body Semta, on the proportion of women and men in it gives support to each occupation, and the overall average access funding and Mexico, Brazil, Sweden and Hungary also gap in pay. quality training saw average pay between men and women providers as well as almost equal. In these countries men and They then correlated these data to map helping companies recruit the very best women work in different occupations to a and show the relationships that exist young people. greater extent than in many of the other between workplace segregation of the Only 23% of engineering companies in countries looked at. sexes and the gap in their pay. the North East have or offer apprentice- ships ñ the target is to make it 50% by The 20 countries were: Researchers from Warwick Business 2016. Find out more at semta.org.uk or School, University of Cambridge and Country Difference in pay between sexes call Customer Services on 0845 643 9001. Lakehead in Canada discovered that the (correlated figure, in order) Work gap between men and women’s pay was segregation between sexes (correlated NFRN welcomes 'Small larger in countries where they worked in figure) Slovenia -.177 (minus - ie women Business Saturday' the same job. earn more) .692 Mexico +.011 .717 A new Labour-backed campaign to Hungary +.034 .690 Brazil +.110 .704 promote small, independent shops has Women in the Czech Republic, Austria and South Africa +.120 .641 USA +.207 been welcomed by the National Netherlands, all fared badly in comparison .667 Sweden +.220 .709 Spain +.334 Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). to men as they are more likely to work in .725 Finland +.339 .767 Portugal 'Small Business Saturday' would be the same occupations as men. The gap based on a similar initiative launched by +.359 .724 Denmark +.371 .747 between their pay and men’s is higher than American Express in the US in 2010 to Russia +.374 .707 UK +.388 .677 encourage shoppers to visit independent average, with the UK’s gap also higher South Korea +.408 .693 Switzerland shops. Shadow Business Secretary Chuka than average among the 20 countries. +.410 .623 Germany +.420 .700 Umunna suggested 7 December 2013 Warwick Business School’s Dr Girts Racko Netherlands +.430 .633 Austria +.462 should be the first 'Small Business attributes the surprising results to the fact .609 Czech +.491 .644 Japan +.519 Saturday' in the UK to coincide with the Christmas rush. Alan Smith, National that when there are few men in an .655 President of the NFRN, said he welcomed occupation, women have more chance to For more information, Dr Girts Racko can any initiative that recognised the get to the top of a profession,stay there be contacted on 024 765 73131 or by important role independent shops play and earn more. But where there are more email [email protected] on the high street.

informnorth February 2013 41 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:15 Page 42 start-up business enterprise entrepreneur

PaydayPayday LoansLoans Have you reached the end of the month and your bank balance? Informnorth’ very own Sarah Lee investigates the rise is people using payday loans and the shortfalls that could cause you problems…

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e’ve all been there…a particular tough month where bills, birthdays and beers have stolen our pay check and left us Wwith a minus sign next to our bank balance. So how do you even begin to cope? Well if you’re lucky enough to have good family and friends, you may be able to ‘tap them up’ until pay day, but if you’re not that lucky you may be forced to turn to the dark side and face the wrath of your consequences. A few years ago, shortly after I graduated and had starting working in my first job, I was struggling to make it until the end of the month. Believing that my first pay packet after three years studying would be the most money ever, I decided to get a little extra hand and responded to one of those ‘Get £500 today!’ e-mails. The next morning, I had £300 in my account, but had not taken into account the interest rates, and pretty soon I was quite literally robbing Peter to pay Paul and had ten loans going. Luckily I managed to get myself out of the debt, with a lot of scrimping and by jeopardising my lifestyle, but believe me when I tell you I would never do it again. Payday loan commercials tell you it’s quick and easy to borrow, and to be fair it really is, however, they often fail to divulge the true implications involved with taking one of these loans out. They count on lenders, or most of their lenders to roll the loan over, and over, and over again, which makes that small fee they charge quickly add up to a sum that can be larger than the original loan ever was. And it’s an unfortunate fact that these loans can became an addiction, because it’s so easy to get the money in your account, but the truth of the matter is that it’s not so easy to pay it back. Oh, and the reason, is that some of the loans have an annual percentage rate (APR) of 336.6 per cent. It’s good for the lender of course, but it’s something that is doing us no real favours and according to homeless charity Shelter, around one million Britons have taken out a payday loan to pay their mortgage or their rent over the last 12 months alone. >>>

informnorth February 2013 43 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:16 Page 44 start-up business enterprise entrepreneur HMRC Offers Online Support HMRC is going all social by producing a brand new YouTube video explaining a package of new measures known as the Patent Box, which will provide tax relief for profits earned from patented inventions. The tax break, which will be introduced from April 2013, applies a lower than usual rate of corporation tax (10%) to the profits earned from patented technologies. The aim is for this new tax relief to encourage companies to create high-value jobs in the UK and maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in patented technologies. Business Boom for Over 50s The number of self-employed people aged between 50 and 64 years old rose sharply by 15% over the past four years, while self-employment among over 65s grew by a massive 54%, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). And in a positive move, the overall number people in self-employment in the UK also rose by 14% over this period. Miles Crofton, informnorth’s managing editor said: “It’s positive news, but it’s important to remember that just now, a lot of people are following the self-employed route, either willingly or just resignedly, because they don’t have other options.” Relaxing Small Business Rules The report said a further six million people them can trap themselves in a vicious The Government is to lift the requirement are being plunged into debt in other ways cycle. They pay the loan off on the next for small businesses to have their in order to pay their essential bills and payday, but discover they do not have the accounts independently audited, which it using unauthorised overdrafts, personal funds needed to cover their expenses. predicts could save £40 million in audit loans or credit cards to pay their housing They then find themselves going back for fees. The move would bring the UK into costs - rather than face being evicted from another payday loan which can continue line with EU minimum requirements at a their homes. indefinitely since there is no limit on how time when BIS is also planning to push for many times a person can get this type of EU law-makers to lift the requirement So whilst these loans are meant to tide loan. from medium-sized firms as well. This will people over with a small sum of money - also call on them to allow businesses to perhaps just £100 - for a short amount of So what are the alternatives? produce one simplified set of accounts time until the next pay packet arrives, but There are many alternatives to getting a instead of the two, as currently required. they have become controversial because payday loan - and really, all you need to the huge interest rates charged means the do is budget better. Need a helping Hand? debt quickly becomes bigger and get worse. If you need a helping hand with a special Cut out as many unnecessary purchases project or something that you need to Yet the payday loan industry is already as possible, put that money into a savings do but might lack the expertise, staff or worth around £1billion a year, for making account. Set a budget for food shopping, resources, then nelink.info could help you. it dangerously easy to borrow money - the house bills and petrol - all the essentials - Launched by loans are easy to get and often don’t and then use spare money after this to informnorth, require any sort of credit check, but are pay for ‘treats’ only id there is any. nelink is a brand new they really a good idea? Another alternative to a payday loan in the local and In short the answer is no. These loans are event of an unexpected expense is asking regional so easy to get and because they lack the your employer for a pay advance. Good web resource traditional credit checks, companies often employers want to keep good employees that covers prey on lower income households, knowing happy, and while this won’t always work, the northeast and you won’t be able to make it a habit, and matches a unique Talent Pool of they are more likely to obtain one of volunteers, made up from people of all their loans. After all, these are the people if you are facing a true emergency and ages and backgrounds, with requests that are already experiencing financial bring it up with your employer, there’s a relieved for help, support and expertise. hardship and borrowing money with such good chance that you could get some sort It doesn’t duplicate what’s already on a high interest rate just makes matters of financial assistance. offer or about more traditional forms of worse, but what else can they do? And You might also want to consider a volunteering, but about getting something many of these people find themselves done and making great connections at cash-converter type of shop to raise funds. the same time. It doesn’t cost anything to unable to repay the loan when it comes Most people have something of value that use other than a small administration fee due. This situation leads to additional can be pawned such as old jewellery, tools so don’t hang around to check it out. Visit bank charges for bounced checks and the and electronics that can be used as collateral nelink.info today and put us to the test, cost of the loan, or they have to extend the for a short-term loan. You get cash for you won’t be disappointed. loan which incurs even more fees. Many of your item and you can still come back and

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And good news is… Recruiting the Best Talent? …Last February the consumer watchdog If you’re looking to recruit the very best launched an investigation over concerns staff for your vacancies, then nelink.info is that some payday lenders may be taking a brand new web resource that has been advantage of people in financial difficulty. launched to help you save £££’s, by advertising cost effectively direct to thou- As part of the review by the Office of Fair sands of job hunters quickly and easily. It Trading (OFT), 50 of the biggest players in costs just £60 inclusive of vat to advertise the industry are facing spot inspections. for two full weeks at a time and it doesn’t This has been due to the increasing pressure matter what size business or kind of on households due to the recession, which employer you are, as everything is safe has concerned the OFT that some people and secure. You can make big savings are being given loans without the proper straight away can personalise your advert in minutes and every single applicant can checks being carried out. As if? contact you direct, with no fuss or hassle It investigated whether firms target people or agency involved. Visit nelink.info for who are unsuitable for credit, or roll over more details and start saving, now. the loans so that the charges escalate to the point where they become unaffordable. Family-Run Firms And according to egovmonitor.com the Experience Sales Boost investigation uncovered the following: Nearly half of family-run firms in the UK experienced increased sales growth in • One payday lender agreed to provide a 2012, but this fell short of the global loan within 24 seconds. average figure of 65%, according to a • In almost a third of the visits, the payday survey by PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC). lender indicated they wouldn't carry out The research also found that over two a credit reference check on the borrower. thirds of family firms plan to grow steadily, while more than one in ten • Half of the premises visited indicated aspires to grow quickly. Sian Steele, they would still be willing to lend £100 director and head of family business at even if a borrower failed a credit check. PwC, said: “Family businesses are proud of the fact they are excellent places to • Almost half of the payday loan companies work with a real respect for their staff. visited indicated they would be prepared This has never been more evident than to ‘roll over’ the loan for another month throughout the recent economic down- if a debtor could not repay on time. repay the loan and get your item back. turn, with 89% of UK respondents saying In every single case, the payday lender they have battled hard to retain staff, If you can’t repay the loan, the shop keeps even in the bad times”. the item you gave them. So, you can end was unwilling or unable to quote the up basically selling what you had to them. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) charged and But this is often a better alternative than in the majority of cases, the lender was getting an unsecured payday loan and unable to adequately explain what the being hit with exorbitant fees and finding consequences actually were for failing to yourself in a dangerous debt spiral. repay the loan on time. Most of the lenders indicated that there would be a While not ideal, credit card advances can £25 default fee charge but could not give also be an alternative to a payday loan. further information about any additional Even though interest rates are applicable charges or interest being applied through with a credit card advance, it can be very their own ‘small print’. helpful for a one-time emergency situation. However a credit card will work This investigation could have a positive impact on the people who need a payday in a pinch and instead of paying 700 Raising the Bar for percent APR on a payday loan you’ll only loan as an extreme measure while facing be left with maybe 25 percent APR on the financial difficulties, by ensuring they are South Tyneside Businesses credit card. Okay, it’s not great, but it’s not targeted and that all of the appropriate An award-winning business development, delivered by South Tyneside Council in still better than payday loan charges. checks are carried out. partnership with Groundwork South Finally, asking friends or family for a loan In the meantime, don’t do what I did and Tyneside & Newcastle in South Tyneside to help you to get through a hard time is presume that things will sort themselves enjoyed a strong close to 2012. One another possibility. Most people will have out, because burying your head in the Trinity Green has been open for business relatives or friends who might loan them sand will not help find that pot of gold. in South Shields since September and has already reached 25% occupancy. the money needed to help with unforeseen The £5.2m scheme offers the latest in expenses or those little emergencies when technology, alongside a unique package they come along. Little or no interest is of ongoing support that’s essential for usually added to these sorts of loans growing businesses. The three-storey and arrangements can sometimes be For further information building features state-of-the-art made to pay the original loan back in about savings, credit cards environmental technology and is home installments over time. Of course, the and loans to four workshops, two hybrid units and favour may be asked of you someday www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk 35 office spaces, with flexible tenancy www.adviceguide.org.uk agreements to allow businesses in and they say that lending money can ruin the out of the scheme with ease. best relationships, and as a way of tiding www.cccs.co.uk Free WiFi and business support are among you over until you’re back on your feet www.paydayadvisor.co.uk the services that are being offered to and back in the black, this should also be www.citizensadvice.org.uk local businesses. For more information, used as another last resort. visit tinyurl.com/infTrinityGreen

informnorth February 2013 45 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:16 Page 46 start-up business enterprise entrepreneur The Human Resource The Values of Diversity

f the truth be told, I wasn’t really typically refer to myself as a minority. considered to be a diversity expert Because to me, I’m just me. until I wrote a book, Consequences: I I unquestionably recognise the value of and Susan Popoola, Diverse to Mosaic Britain, which touches need for a diverse workforce: The need to on the subject. Managing Director, encourage it, have special programmes to I am, however, a Black British female of make it happen at times and the fact that Conning Towers Nigerian origin who happened to live with we need to take measures to accommodate a white working class family during my it within workplace. Sometimes I do, however, without any racial based problems because foundation years. Not only have I lived believe that we over emphasis certain they had lunches whereby they would all bring in both Britain and Nigeria, I’ve travelled differences or at least to often make them food to work from their places of origin. extensively to different parts of the world. the starting point. The lunches were great, but I got the I have friends from varying backgrounds If you’ve come across the “Waterline of impression that they were working so hard as well and I’ve also had the opportunity Visibility” you will recognise that we are on accepting differences, that they had not to work with people from varying back- ALL diverse in different ways - some just taken the time to understand the common grounds and countries and I’ve more apparent than others. values and interests that would enable them learnt a lot from them too. to integrate to be a more effective team. Through the concept of an At the same time, whilst iceberg, the “Waterline of When an individual comes into a workplace some of the environments Visibility” shows what is above and the immediate message, overt or that I’ve worked in have been water i.e. usually immediately implicit, is that a person is different and quite diverse - at least on the apparent when you meet a that we must accommodate them and be surface there are others that person e.g. gender, race, sensitive to them then it does not encourage appear to have a majority physical ability, ethnicity. There real integration and acceptance through of middle class white men. is then the murky area which is understanding. Regardless of the environment partly visible or that you could I believe that at times we over emphasis that I’ve walked into, my possibly guess e.g. nationality, differences via diversity whilst our starting starting point has always been, social status, wealth, culture, point should be more about the common firstly, the values that I share language. values of that different people, coming with the organisation that impact Below the waterline of visibility there is together from different backgrounds bring. on the organisational culture and the way however so much more, that is so rich such This makes people feel more comfortable things work, which determine whether it is an as our value systems, religion, education, with people. If we add to this the value that environment that I can comfortably work in talents, heritage, sexual orientation, beliefs, people bring to the team that they are or not. Secondly is the value that I offer, for thought process, skills, political preferences, working in, we are more likely to feel much example, the skills, talents and competencies interests and hobbies etc. more positive about people as we know that will potentially enable me to fulfill the they are making a positive contribution. tasks and responsibilities that I have been The problem is, if we start of by focusing on engaged for. differences, there is a risk that we will come I believe that if we first do this, then people to the conclusion that our differences are will be much more interested in understanding I very rarely walk into an room thinking I’m what define us but once we recognise and and accommodating the positive differences the only female in the room or person of accept the immediately apparent differences and benefits that people can bring. colour unless something happens that very we then know all that we need to know. directly points to it. This is exemplified by This is what I have in mind when I make a meeting I had recently with the Chief I specifically remember working with an reference to the Mosaic. There is no Executive of an organisation who for no organisation with a very diverse workforce question about our diversity. The real magic apparent reason pointed out to me that they where team relationships had broken down. will come when we use the glue of our were making good progress recruiting There were clear divisions within the team common values to bring us together with females at all levels within the organisations. largely based around ethnicity with people our differences to form a mosaic. Selah. speaking languages within the office that She then gestured towards me and said, Susan Popoola runs Conning Towers Ltd, excluded others from conversations. that they still have a long way to go in an HR organisation focused on Talent recruiting people of minority backgrounds. People did not like this, but they didn’t Management and HR Transformation. Mentally, I looked behind me, wondering complain - they didn’t feel able to. Many She is also the published author of Touching who she was referring to as although I also expressed the opinion that regardless The Heart of Milton Keynes: A Social Perspective understand that I fit the label, I don’t of the divisions they were a good team and Consequences: Diverse to Mosaic Britain.

Federation of Small Business Business Durham Entrepreneurs Forum T: 01207 506 138 T: 03000 261 261 T: 0191 500 7780 W: fsb.org.uk W: businessdurham.co.uk W: entrepreneursforum.net

Hartlepool Borough Council UK Trade & Investment national enterprise T: 01429 284 482 or T: 0845 0505 054 network 01429 867 677 W: ukti.gov.uk T: 01234 831623 W: hartlepoolworkingsolutions.com W: nfea.com

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ALL EYES ON THE

England’s healthcare needs innovation if it is to improve. The last decade has shown that we won’t be able to achieve this without a motivated workforce and a real role in the important decisions for local communities.

he public deserves convenience and closure in the mid nineties, it was the local top quality from their NHS. People people that campaigned for a charitable trust Twant health services that are high-quality, to own and run the hospital. cost-effective, reliable and accessible and in And after a formal consultation by the PCT, the today’s NHS, social enterprises can have Wells Hospital and Hospice Trust was created an incredibly valuable role to play. and works under a social enterprise model. Key Social enterprises are businesses just like any stakeholders, ranging from the GPs to social other, but they are driven by an care staff, work across organisational boundaries overriding social aim, and not the to provide integrated services and day-to-day need just to provide profits for hospital management. shareholders. In this way, they can In the vital but under-funded area of social be efficient, but also trustworthy. care, social enterprises have demonstrated that they can provide services that help support But what is so unique about social vulnerable patients and empower the staff who enterprise businesses? provide them to innovate and improve their Well, three main features can help services. define social enterprises. Here in the northeast, in 1994, Sunderland 1. Ownership is typically shared Home Care Associates was established in amongst the users or employees of response to a call from the local council for an organisation, or local community. domiciliary care. It is a limited company, where 2. There might be restrictions on all the shares are owned by the employees and how surpluses are distributed, and allocated based on length of service and salary. on how assets may be deployed. They secured initial funding from the council 3. The enterprise has a social aim. under the stewardship of Margaret Elliot and This does not have to be universal was given a contract for 450 weekly hours of or national. Many enterprises are care. In an industry where many home care able to achieve excellence in niche companies are privately owned and profit fields, such as informnorth or cover motivated, Sunderland Home Care puts the local areas, such as nelink.info. quality of its services and the welfare and rights of its 280+ staff above making profit. Today, John Lewis provides a fascinating case study. the company has diversified its customer base, Owned by its workforce, it combines democratic moving into supplying academic support accountability with commercial success. In services, staff for respite care, care for disabled 2007, the John Lewis Partnership made £175m children and support for autistic people. Yet it in profit and returned £90m to its employees. maintains its local focus and this model has At the same time, it has continued to innovate now being introduced in Manchester, and expand and such a social enterprise model Newcastle, and North Tyneside. A social enterprise could be adapted to work in pre-existing NHS Foundation Trusts, empowering their employees. All of us in the public, private and third sectors “ need to do more to help social enterprises gain model, like John As of 31 March 2013, PCTs and SHAs will be donations, funding, and contracts. Due to their Lewis’, could be abolished, with clinical commissioning groups complicated structure, few lenders will provide replacing them. Primary Care Trusts have to capital, and public-sector procurement rules

adapted to work justify keeping services in-house, so one solution can disadvantage them and those who are

may be to re-establish such services as social constituted as sole traders yet operate as social in pre-existing NHS enterprises and practice-based commissioning enterprises, which isn’t right either. “ could facilitate the establishment of efficient By giving the Third Sector more of a role in Foundation Trust social enterprises. healthcare, we can encourage efficiency and Charitable trusts could be created to allow innovation whilst improving the quality of care communities to own their local hospitals. When available to patients, and perhaps at the same a community hospital was threatened with time, the working conditions of their staff?

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Informnorth essential guide to business, enterprise support

BUSINESS START UP AND SUPPORT: Enterprise Made Simple Tel: 01642 345 213, South Durham Enterprise Agency A4E Business Support enterprisemadesimple.co.uk Tel: 01388 776 688, theenterpriseagency.co.uk Tel: 0845 345 666, a4e.co.uk Fin Ltd Enterprise Support Centre Newcastle South Tyneside Business Forum Access2All, Tel: 0191 209 2906, Tel: 0191 278 1855, entrust.co.uk/fin South Shields Tel: 0191 519 7222, access2all.co.uk GLEAM, Durham southtynesidebusinessforum.com Avanta Tel: 01642 610 610 avanta.uk.com Tel: 0191 334 5730, gleam.org.uk Stockton Business Development Team Bizfizz, London Hartlepool Enterprise Team Tel: 01642 528 384, stockton.gov.uk/business Tel: 020 7820 6300, bizfizz.org.uk Tel: 01429 867 677, investinhartlepool.com Sunderland Business Network Business Link - gov.uk Hartlepool Working Solutions Tel: 0191 375 5700, sunderlandbusinessnetwork.co.uk Chester-le-Street Enterprise Agency Tel: 01429 284 482, Chester-le-Street - Tel: 0191 389 2648, hartlepoolworkingsolutions.com TEDCO, Boldon Tel: 0191 428 3300, Durham - Tel: 0191 384 5407, cdcbp.org.uk Informnorth - the regions leading magazine tedco.org Teesside University, Graduate Business Unit, Cobweb Information Ltd for self development, enterprise and change Tel: 0191 461 8000, cobwebinfo.com Tel: 0191 586 6010, informnorth.com Middlesbrough - Tel: 01642 384 425, tees.ac.uk Community Enterprise Direct (Northern) Knowledge House (Higher Education Tees Valley Business Club, Northallerton Tel: 0191 491 3005, tinyurl.com/commdirect Support for Industry in the North) Sunderland Tel: 0191 516 4408, knowledgehouse.ac.uk Tel: 07831 748 235, teesvalleybc.co.uk Business Durham, Aykley Heads, Durham The Prince's Trust, Gateshead Tel: 03000 261 261, businessdurham.co.uk Make Your Mark Tel: 01642 451 840, Tel: 0191 497 3210, princes-trust.org.uk Andrea McGuigan - 03000 261 255, makeyourmark.org.uk Joanne Arnold - 03000 261 259 Middlesbrough Borough Council Enterprise Tyne and Wear Development Company John Parnell - 03000 261 253 Support Team Tel: 01642 729 007, Tel: 0191 516 9099, tyne-wear.co.uk CSV Training & Enterprise North East middlesbrough.gov.uk University of Sunderland Hatchery (Head Office) - Tel: 0191 232 6616, Middlesbrough Business Forum Tel: 0191 515 2329, csv.org.uk Tel: 01642 224 706, thehatchery.sunderland.ac.uk Darlington Council Business Engagement middlesbroughbusinessforum.co.uk Women into the Network (WIN), Team, Tel: 01325 388 687/388 686/388 682, North East Business and Innovation Centre Gateshead , Tel: 0845 269 9862, darlington.gov (BIC) - Tel: 0191 516 6200, ne-bic.co.uk womenintothenetwork.co.uk Darlington and District Business Club North East Chamber of Commerce Young Enterprise North East Tel: 01325 352 724, darlingtonbusiness- (NECC), Durham Tel: 0191 516 6290, young-enterprise.org.uk club.co.uk Tel: 0191 386 1133, necc.co.uk BUSINESS FUNDING: Derwentside Business Centre Northumberland Business Service Limited, Coalfield Enterprise Fund Tel 01207 693 902, derwentside.gov.uk Ashington Tel: 01670 813 322, n-bs.co.uk Enterprise Ventures Ltd, Preston, Tel: 01772 270 570, coalfieldsfunds.co.uk Derwentside Business Network Northern Pine Tree Trust, County Durham Tel: 0191 387 1924, Tel: 0191 492 8215, northernpine- Community Loan Fund for the North East derwentsidebusinessnetwork.co.uk treetrust.co.uk Tel: 0191 487 7799, tinyurl.com/tself Derwentside Enterprise Agency People into Enterprise, Newcastle Crafts Council, London - Tel: 0207 278 7700, Consett, Tel: 01207 580 011, Tel: 0845 245 0212, peopleintoenter- craftscouncil.org.uk derwentsideenterprise.co.uk prise.com Cultural Business Venture, Arts Council DU Services Productivity North East, Durham Newcastle - Tel: 0845 300 6200 Tel: 0845 450 1251, du-sevices.co.uk Tel: 0191 334 4662, productivitynorth- Entrust, Newcastle Durham Business Club Chester-le-Street east.co.uk Tel: 0191 244 4000, entrust.co.uk Tel: 0191 388 4488, durhambusiness- Prime Tel: 020 3137 8525, Evolve Finance Limited, Gateshead club.co.uk primeinitiative.org.uk Tel: 0845 111 1851, evolve-finance.co.uk East Durham Business Service, Peterlee Project North East, Newcastle Falchion Fund, Darlington Tel: 0191 586 3366, edbs.co.uk Tel: 0191 230 6409, pne.org Tel: 01325 388 682, darlington.gov.uk Enterprise Academy, Middlesbrough Football RTC North Ltd, Sunderland Five Lamps - Tel: 01642 608 316, Club Tel: 01642 757 674, mfc-ea.co.uk Tel: 0191 516 4400, rtcnorth.co.uk fivelamps.org.uk Entrepreneurs Forum, Newcastle Shell LiveWIRE, NEL Fund Managers Tel: 0191 500 7780, entrepreneursforum.net Tel: 0191 423 6229, shell-livewire.org Tel: 0845 111 1850, nel.co.uk

informnorth spotlight on: The Confederation of British Industry - CBI

around the world. prosper for the benefit of all. To achieve this, they The organisation exists to provide a voice for campaign in the UK, the EU and internationally for a business people and their businesses on a national competitive policy landscape. and international level, speaking for more than As a premier business lobbying organisation, 240,000 companies, including many in the FTSE the CBI plays a leading role in public policy, 100 and FTSE 350, mid-caps, SMEs, private and influencing governments and public opinion, family owned businesses and trade associations both at home and abroad. At the heart of this is in every sector, including agriculture, automotive, its work in campaigning on issues that are the aerospace and defence, construction, creative highest priorities for business. and communications, financial services, IT and The CBI is focused on six campaigns to support e-business, management consultancy, the overriding theme of securing private sector he CBI proclaims itself as the UK’s top manufacturing, professional services, retail, business lobbying organisation with offices growth in the UK. These campaigns focus on the Tacross the UK as well as in Brussels, transport, tourism and utilities. Their mission is to need for economic reform, on boosting investment, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, they state they are promote the conditions in which businesses of all exports and skills in the UK and on the place of the voice of British businesses in the UK and sizes and sectors in the UK can compete and business in society.

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entrepreneurship enterprise business start-up

Project North East GMB Northern Region, Newcastle BUSINESS PREMISES/INCUBATOR UNITS: Tel: 0191 230 6401, pne.org Tel: 0191 233 3930, gmbnorthern.org.uk Arch Centre for Enterprise Royal British Legion - Tel: 0191 273 3619, Health a Safety Executive Tel: 01670 528 400, arch-group.co.uk britishlegion.org.uk Tel: 0191 202 6200, hse.gov.uk Business Durham Tel: 03000 261 261, businessdurham.co.uk Street NE - Tel: 0191 230 20 80, HM Revenue & Customs hmrc.gov.uk streetnortheast.co.uk Designworks Institute of Directors Tel: 0113 243 0152 Tel: 0191 423 6200, design-works.co.uk Small Firms Loan Guarantee Section, iod.com, [email protected] Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Centre, Hartlepool Chartered Management Institute Regulatory Reform berr.gov.uk Tel: 01429 239 500, uksteelenterprise.co.uk Tel: 01536 204 222, managers.org.uk UK Steel Enterprise Ltd Innovation Centre, Redcar Tel: 01642 777 888, uksteelenterprise.co.uk Chartered Institute of Personnel & Tel: 01642 777 777, uksteelenterprise.co.uk Development, Tel: 020 8612 6200, cipd.co.uk BUSINESS CONTACTS: Netpark, Tel: 01740 625 250, uknetpark.net Institute of Financial Accountants ACAS - Tel: 08457 474 747, acas.org.uk Project North East Workspace Tel: 01732 458 080, ifa.org.uk Business Debtline - free advice Tel: 0191 230 6409, pne.org/workspace.htm IR35 Helpline, Tel: 0845 303 3535 Tel: 0800 197 6026, bdl.org.uk Shildon Business Centre, Tel: 01388 777 597 Business in the Community, Gateshead National Insurance Space on Tap Ltd Gateshead Tel: 0191 294 6033, bitc.org.uk/northeast Registrations Helpline: Tel: 0845 915 57006, Tel: 0844 8793 158, spaceontap.com British Franchise Association (BFA) Self Employed Helpline: Tel: 0845 915 4655, Storeys: SSP Oxon - Tel: 01491 578 050, thebfa.org Employed/Worker Helpline: Tel: 0191 232 6291, storeys-ssp.co.uk Tel: 0845 302 1479, hmrc.gov.uk/nic British Safety Council, London Tanfield Lea Business Centre Tel: 0208 741 1231, britsafe.org National Minimum Wage Tel: 01207 291 291, Tel: 0845 6000 678, hmrc.gov.uk/nmw British Telecommunications plc tanfieldleabusinesscentre.com Tel: 0800 800 800, bt.com New Employers' Helpline Tedco: Jarrow and South Shields & Tel: 0845 60 70 143 Quadrus Centre, Tel: 0191 428 3300, Business Names Registration plc tedco.org, thequadruscentre.co.uk Birmingham - Tel: 0121 678 9000, Newly Self Employed Helpline anewbusiness.co.uk Tel: 08459 154 515 The Executive Centre Newcastle Tel: 0191 350 65000, cecoffices.com Chartered Institute of Patent Agents Northumbrian Water London - Tel: 020 7405 9450, cipa.org.uk Tel: 0845 733 5566, nwl.co.uk Tyne and Wear Development Company Sunderland, Tel: 0191 516 9099, Common Purpose (North East) Office of Fair Trading - oft.gov.uk tyne-wear.co.uk Tyne & Wear Tel: 0191 227 0390, Citizens Advice consumer 0845 404 0506 BANKS: Tees Valley Tel: 0191 227 0394, Patent Advice Centre, Newcastle Santander commonpurpose.org.uk 0191 277 4100, bipcnewcastle.co.uk Tel: 0845 6070 666, santander.co.uk Communications Workers Union Self Assessment Alliance and Leicester, Tel: 0844 800 2222, North East, Newcastle - Tel: 0191 222 2336, Tel: 0845 9000 444, hmrc.gov.uk/sa cwunortheast.co.uk alliance-leicestercommercialbank.co.uk Service Network (NE) Ltd, Tyne & Wear Bank of Scotland, Tel: 0845 606 0286, Companies House - Tel: 0870 333 3636, Tel: 0191 244 4031, service-network.co.uk companieshouse.gov.uk bankofscotlandbusiness.co.uk Stakeholder Pensions Helpline Department for Business Enterprise Barclays Tel: 0845 601 2923, thepensionservice.gov.uk & Regulatory Reform bis.gov.uk Tel: 0845 601 0106, business.barclays.co.uk The Northern Energy lnitiative (TNEI), Department for Work and Pensions HSBC, Tel: 0800 731 8904, hsbc.co.uk Newcastle - Tel: 0191 233 9300, tnei.org.uk Tel: 020 7712 2171, dwp.gov.uk Lloyds TSB, Tel: 0800 022 4389, TUC, Newcastle Disability Rights Commission lloydstsbbusiness.com Tel: 0191 232 3175, tuc.org.uk Tel: 08457 604 6610 equalityhuman- NatWest, Tel: 08457 11 44 77, rights.com UK Trade & Investment, Sunderland natwest.com/business.asp Enterprise Europe Network, Gateshead Tel: 0845 050 5054, ukti.gov.uk Royal Bank Scotland Business Start up Tel: 01740 625 780, een-northeast.co.uk Unison, Tel: 0845 355 0845, unison.org.uk Tel: 0800 656 9635 Equality North East, Gateshead Unite the Union, Newcastle Unity Trust Bank, Tel: 0191 251 1539, Tel: 0191 426 4399, equality-ne.co.uk Tel: 0191 300 2107, unitetheunion.org unity.co.uk

• Future Champions - unlocking growth in the UK’s She is a qualified solicitor and has held senior market, reforming public services and working ‘forgotten army’ of medium-sized businesses posts in a range of organisations, including towards a sustainable future. • Getting the UK Working - how business and professional services firm Arthur Anderson and In all these areas the organisation will work with government can work together to tackle international law firm Clifford Chance. Sarah businesses to draw up policy proposals, highlight unemployment represents North East businesses to ensure they where current policies are working, campaign • Increasing Exports - effective steps to boost have a strong voice in regional, national and against unnecessary regulations and identify exports will play an essential part in sustainable international policy making. Sarah is supported by initiatives that can best help employers take economic recovery Liz Mayes who is assistant regional director and advantage of business opportunities. • Rebalancing the Economy - the UK needs a regional administrator Carole Coulton. Member firms enjoy a wide range of benefits - new form of economic growth to compete in a changing global economy At present, the CBI is securing a private sector-led from influencing key policy decisions to • Making UK Best Place to Invest - implementing recovery which is essential to delivering long-term high-quality intelligence, business surveys and a vision for the UK to become the best location sustainable growth in the UK. To achieve this they access to prestigious events. for business investment. have identified a number of business issues where Here in the North East, CBI is headed by Sarah action is needed to ensure firms are best able to Green, who is Regional Director. She joined the compete effectively and create employment. These FYI: To find out more about membership CBI after spending two years as internal business issues fit within the broad themes of email [email protected] or communications manager for the now disbanded delivering economic growth and balanced public call 020 7395 8290 for more information. regional development agency, One North East. finances, building a flexible high-skilled labour

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Supporting Willow Burn Hospice

Supporting Willow Burn Hospice To support theirfundraising efforts, Willow Burn Hospice has developeda range of spa and pampering products. The range, which features products rangingfrom scented candles to luxurious shower gels and moisturisers, is available from the hospice’s website at Artist impression: How the new Willow Burn Hospice will look www.willowburn.co.uk/shop/home/ The products have beendevelopedacross or 23 years Willow Burn Hospice the hospicereceives from patients and two ranges - IndulgentAlmond,which has been providingpalliativeand their family members. includes a hand and nailcream, a Fend of life care services for free, As apatient’s family memberwhoused massage bar and a lip balm; and to the communitiesofDerwentside Willow Burn Hospice’s servicessays; UpliftingTea Tree and Lime, which is and County Durham,working tirelessly available as abodylotion, shower gel, ‘My wife came to Willow Burn Hospicefor to ensure that people can experience foot spray and a foot and leg balm. end of life care.Asa family we received a quality of life evenif it is during Helen Mills, Chief Executive of Willow support, concern,constantcare and the last fewweeks, days, hours and Burn Hospice explained:“Ourphilosophy attentionduring 12 days atWillow Burn minutesof their life. istoimprove the quality of life for adults Hospice.The commitmentof the staff was who have a life-limiting Willow Burn Hospice treasures the livesof unstinting and mywife, initially conscious, illness by providing those we support when they are contending waswell aware of the regard paid to her care, comfort and with probably the worst imaginable news, care,comfort and peace and how in turn that their illness will limit their life. compassionand thisspread to us, her family and visiting our Treasured Hospice services include Day Hospice friends.’ Gifts Range is Therapy, In-patient and Respite Care, With only 39% ofincome coming from anatural HospiceatHome including occupational Government sources, Willow Burn extension of and physiotherapy at home.Willow Burn Hospiceis duty bound to raisefunds how we are Hospice’s FamilySupport Serviceprovides through various means and seek funding already doing a wide range of support frompractical donations from supporters. that”. help, advice and guidance through to one-to-one Bereavement Counselling for Willow Burn Hospicehas been served children and adultswho need emotional well by the local community in termsof support. fundraising efforts forits entire history. At sixcottage style roomswith en-suite the moment,services are delivered from facilities and a family roomto enable Compelling evidence of the importance an ex-hospital ward on the former friends and relatives tostayovernight, of Willow Burn Hospice’s work and why Maiden LawHospital site,whichis much or somewhere where theycan go to your support is needed can be found in too small to meet its aspirations for freshen up whilst remaining closeto their the many thankyouletters and cards that patients, family members, the community loved one. Plans are also in placeto and staff/volunteers. build a wellbeing centre as part of the For more information on any of The hospiceis located in the mostidyllic development,where people can enjoy a the servicesortobecome involved situation and it is intended that a new wide range of complementary treatments with fundraising or volunteeringfor with fundraising or volunteeringfor hospiceis built on the same site.Willow provided byour dedicated team. Willow Burn Hospice, please ring Burn Hospicehassecured planning A bereavement suite will also ensure 01207 529 224. consent and purchased the south westerly that children and adults receivetalking Take a copyof CGIrelating to apexoflandon the hillside at Maiden treatments at a time and fromaresource new build/e-mail to Anne Law and has ambitious plans to build a that is fit forpurpose. Take a couple of samplles/e-mail purposebuilt facility, which will see ImportantlyWillow Burn Hospice will range to Anne (pending timings) services transformed.The fourbedded never closethroughoutthebuild inpatient facilitywill be increased offering programme.

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Helping you to help yourself To meet present and growing demand, THE BEVERIDGE REPORT nelink.info, the new northeast regional web portal, is inviting individuals of all Social Action... By Robin Beveridge ages and backgrounds to add their RB details to their volunteer Talent Pool. All applicants will receive all Are you getting of their out-of-pocket your fair share? expenses and Talent Pool will be given If I had £1 for every time I’ve heard that a personal employer testimonial, that local people know best, local solutions will stand them in good stead when searching for more work or employment. work better than top-down ones, that the Opportunities exist in all local areas and key to unlock the future lies in devolving volunteers wanting to find out more, can power from Westminster, I’d be happy. visit nelink.info to add their details for Not top-rate-tax-paying rich maybe, but free or contact us to find out more. enough for a good Christmas. But I’d much rather have £1 for every time I’ve heard Prince of Wales launches complaints about a ‘postcode lottery’. Industrial Cadets to inspire It’s increasingly clear to me that we English HRH The Prince of Wales has launched have a love-hate affair with the local. an important new initiative to help Local pubs, local shops, local Post Offices inspire young people into careers in are all under threat, to loud complaints local industry. Industrial Cadets is an from the chattering classes about the loss initiative started by Tata Steel with of services, but no real response in terms young people in Teesside that has of using them more. And while we bemoan proven to be such a success it is now going national, lead by education the centralised nature of politics, we charity EDT. Schools or companies who usually reject or ignore opportunities to are interested in taking part can call vote for more localised politics. We voted 01707 871 520 or find more information against a regional government and elected Lynemouth, Ellington and Lint. Find out by visiting industrialcadets.org.uk mayors, and mostly stayed at home when more at www.localtrust.org.uk/big-local. asked to vote for Police and Crime Building Better Futures Big Local is a great initiative, but it is Commissioners. We complain bitterly swimming against the tide of cuts in public The Cyrenians, is turning empty houses about any form of local variability in into inviting homes with their ‘Homelife’ services, especially health treatments. services that nearly always hit the people and places that need it most. That’s why scheme, which will run over three years, and transform 25 properties with a £1.4 The Tory government (oops, sorry, I’ve I’m backing Fair Shares, a new community forgotten about the Lib Dem’s role, but million budget. The will be comfortable, interest company that has set up to find long-term accommodation for previously haven’t we all?) has exploited this to create ways to support things like training a ‘fairer’ distribution of funding. What this vulnerable people who are progressing schemes, sports centres and play facilities on recovery, and hands-on training and means is that schools and other council in those areas that need it most. Visit employment to develop others’ skills and services get the same per head in leafy www.fairsharescic.org.uk to find out more. employability potential. CEO Stephen commuter villages in the Home Counties Bell said: “By taking empty properties The most important ingredient in making as they do in deprived cities in the North. and turning them into real homes we are There are scary maps showing the % cuts local areas better is - of course - the helping people change their lives and in council budgets, which look uncannily people and organisations on the ground build their futures.” making it happen. So often, though, local like maps of deprivation - the great the Businesses Invited to need, the greater the cut! What’s fair people and groups go unnoticed by the about that? ‘great and the good’. Support NE Enterprise Week Community enterprise, education and We can all play a big part in this and in So, it’s really good to see the National business organisations are invited to Lottery’s BIG fund doing its bit to help supporting our communities at a local support a brand new local enterprise address this, through Big Local. 200 areas level, but actions speak louder than words. competition, to commence November 2013. around the country have now been listed The bigger players who know they have a PERFECT TEN is as Big Local areas, places with high levels role and a duty but sometimes can lack the supported by of need that have not had their fair share clarity of vision need to stop and take informnorth of Lottery funding. Each receives “at least action. That is what is so important about and nelink.info, £1m to make a massive and lasting initiatives like nelink.info - they are with the aim of positive difference to their communities”, seeking to do things in different ways and stimulating and a ‘Big Local Rep’ to help local people joining thing up to make things happen enterprise and entrepreneurship with as many people as pull together a plan to invest the money from the ground up. And that’s what we possible people, and of all ages and where it will make the most difference. need right now, and probably more so than at any time in recent memory. backgrounds. Mike Storey, informnorth’s In the North East, the areas selected are managing director says, “PERFECT TEN the following wards: Central Jarrow; will be the regions largest open-entry Whitley Bay; Dyke House, Hartlepool; enterprise competition. It’s important Moorsley and Easington Lane; Teams, Robin Beveridge is a leading Economic that it’s good fun for those taking part, Derwentwater and Racecourse, Gateshead; Development & Regeneration but we want to work with partners to South West Bishop Auckland; East Consultant and can be contacted on devising something really special and has Cleveland Rural Villages; North Ormesby; 0191 236 3622 or longer term benefits. To find out more or Roseworth Ward, Stockton; and [email protected] offer your support, call 0191 5866 010.

informnorth February 2013 51 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:17 Page 52 social volunteer community development Entrepreneurship Boosted by Retirement and Redundancy Retirees and those made redundant account for 27% of small business start-ups, according to research published ‘A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY’, by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. The report suggests that the ageing BUT JUST HOW OFTEN CAN YOU GO ON population and increasing redundancies happening as a result of the economic HOLIDAY? AT A TIME WHEN EVERYBODY IS downturn have had a positive effect on limited company contractor numbers. CASH-STRAPPED, EVEN JUST THE SMALLEST The results of the research show that 7% of small firms have been started by POSITIVE ACTIONS CAN MAKE A BIG retirees and 20% were started by people who were made redundant. DIFFERENCE. INFORMNORTH LOOKS AT Credit Unions Can Lend to HOW AND WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE TO Firms with no Common Link Changes to the Credit Unions Act means IMPROVE YOUR LOT IN LIFE FOR THE BEST credit unions are no longer restricted to offering financial services to those linked QUICKLY AND EASILY… by a common factor and can now lend to a wider range of organisations and charge interest instead of a dividend. Mark Lyonette, chief executive of the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) commented: "The new rules mean credit unions can now compete more effectively with banks and other lenders to provide fair and affordable financial services to individuals and organisations."

Changing your life can be totally use the stairs instead of the lift, do more exciting, it can also be quite simple to gardening or take the dog for an extra lap do and the bonus? It doesn’t have to around the field or bit of a longer walk. cost you anything. Many areas of your Become an Early Riser - “Early to life, including your job, friends,home, bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wardrobe, attitude or opinion can all wealthy and wise”. So start the day with be changed to improve your life. a smile and say to yourself; ‘today I’m Even choosing to change just one or two fortunate to have woken up, I am alive things a day will make a big difference. and I am not going to waste it.’ Watch Maybe you wish to change your body, the sun rise, have a healthy breakfast or rediscover the passions in your life, and never hit snooze on the alarm. perhaps even smiling more will help you Boost your energy level - feeling Looking for Better Links? change the way you view the world. energetic is one of the keys to happiness There are so many people in the world Here at informnorth we have come up and self-esteem, so take steps to keep that it’s sometimes hard to decide who with ways of changing the main areas of your energy high. Listen to lively music; to bother knowing. One filtering system your life, without waiting for anything else, get enough sleep and exercise to boost we have developed is to stay clear of or that major windfall of money, without your energy. anyone who’s not that good at stringing waiting for any approval and without Smile more - by smiling you are telling their words together, or useless at using having to wait for the right time. them so they make good sense. your brain you are happy, which will help Give some of these a try and see if they But nelink.info ensures there’s now a release endorphins needed to make you much easier way to grow your network can make a difference and help you feel happy - it really is that simple. change the key areas of your life. of contacts and develop your links and Change your attitude - choose to connections with the sort of people that Of course, some of things may not work have more productive and empowering are worth knowing, that might be able for you, or perhaps you’re already doing to help you in return somewhere further conversations, instead of moaning about them - either way work through the list, things. Changing your attitude to absorb down the line too. as there will be something that’s for you. nelink is the brand new portal designed as much positive information as possible and supported by informnorth, that can Exercise - release the endorphins which can help you change for the better in so help you find something useful to do with instantly make you feel better. You don’t many more key areas. your time and experience, and increase need to spend hours in the gym or run Change the way you treat the your chances of benefiting as a direct regular marathons, but even just 30 world - one of the biggest changes any result. Take a look at nelink.info yourself, minutes of moderate exercise a day on five of us can make is by choosing to change you’ll find it’s free to add your details or more days a week will work wonders. to be matched with businesses and the way we treat the world in which we community-based organisations that Incorporate exercise easily into your daily live. By driving less, you decrease your could benefit from knowing you. routine - by cycling or walking to work, carbon emission which contributes to

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Find things to make you laugh - It’s no secret that laughter really is the best medicine. If you are having a bad time and feel like the world is against you one of the best ways to lift yourself up and change your state of mind is through laughter. Book your- self a ticket to a comedy night, read a funny book or watch a comedy show. Speak to your funniest friends and get them to tell you a story that always makes you laugh. Give up nagging - it’s no fun to nag constantly, and it’s no fun to be nagged. So change the way you address an issue - instead of nagging - work to communicate in a different way. Spend more time with the special people - whether that’s your parents, siblings, loved ones, partner or good friends. By not working so hard and dedicating a bit of extra time to these people in your life, you will feel so much happier and loved. Learn something new - learning a new skill is one of the best ways to change your life because it adds something to it. If you’re learning a new language or taking up an art - this really will benefit you because it’s a skill you didn’t possess before. With the new year here, I bet many of you have made New Year’s resolutions but remember, making resolutions is not enough; you need to do something about them. Although it might take some time and effort to improve your life, it will all be worth it in the long run. Do something different that can help you to help yourself - the final pointer I wanted to draw your attention to is our brand new regional portal - nelink.info which is a great way to effect positive change. It can help you make new contacts and do something useful with yourself by helping others. Do yourself a favour and take a look before adding your details for free, you’ll not be disappointed and who knows where it can change your life and the lives of those you know for the better? climate change. Cutting out one trip in ten means you’ve slashed your contribution to greenhouse gases by 10 percent and if you reduce your mileage by just 20 miles a week you can keep up to 1000 lbs of CO2 from the air annually. And use less power, because after transportation, the largest emission of carbon gas we are responsible for comes from the use of household appliances, heating, cooling, and lighting our homes. So turn everything off and unplug things when you’re not using them, hang your clothes out to dry and just use less electricity wherever possible. Switch off the TV - on the occasions when you find yourself staring blankly at the TV without even taking in the programme or the sound why not switch it off and do something different. Why don’t you try reading something new or reread an old classic? Read a book - reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. You can escape to an imaginary world (think Harry Potter or Fifty Shades) or you can find out more about something you’re really interested in. It’s relaxing, calming and totally beneficial to you. Watch your favourite film - perhaps you have a favourite childhood film which makes you smile? Maybe you like to watch real-life films to give you a different perspective on things? Either way, grab your remote, get some popcorn and enjoy a decent film. Motivate yourself - there is no simple solution for a lack of motivation and it pays if you can understand your thoughts and how they drive your emotions. By learning how to nurture positive and thoughts, whilst neutralising negative ones and focussing on the task at hand, you can pull yourself out of any slump. Change your diet and what you eat - what you eat has a direct impact on your body and how it works. Think of food as the fuel, you’d put in a car to make it work. If you fill up on junk food, your body will eventually clap out and need a serious MOT. If you fill up on good quality, wholesome food then your body will respond by working all the better for it, which will make you feel much better and much more able for the task in hand.

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social volunteer community development What could do with up t

Awards for All in Action The social networking website enables people to keep in touch with patients as well as receive When a loved one is seriously ill in hospital, regular updates about a patient's welfare. keeping friends and family updated on their progress can be an emotionally draining Funding experience. Often the responsibilty of visiting Awards for All funding in 2009 of £10,000 and passing on news can fall to one person. was used to develop a platform for the site for Justvisiting.com provides an online service mobile phone access. Another Awards for All for patients in hospitals and their families grant in 2012 of £9,500 is helping upgrade and friends. the website for access with touch screen devices.

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Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All programme provides grants for hundreds of North East community groups every year... Awards for All is a simple small grants scheme making awards of between £300 and £10,000 for social and environmental projects that will benefit local communities and make a difference to the lives of those most in need. Community groups, not for profit groups, parish or town councils, health bodies or schools can all apply to the programme. The application form is short and simple and applicants will find out if they are successful within a maximum of six weeks. Groups can receive up to a maximum income of less than or equal to £30,000 now of £10,000 from Awards for All in any have the opportunity to apply for repeat and on-going activities until the end of March 2013. 12 month period. Applications received To be considered for funding, projects will need to after this date will be meet one or more of the following outcomes: processed in the usual way. • People have better chances in life - with better access to training and development to improve their life skills. • Stronger communities - with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems. • Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy. • Healthier and more active people and communities. Following a pilot across a selection of areas, organisations in England with an annual

If your community group can use up to £10,000 to make a difference in the North East, find out more visit www.awardsforall.org.uk, phone 0845 410 2030 or text phone: 0191 376 1776. You can also visit: Big Lottery Fund website: Follow BIG on Twitter: biglotteryfund.org.uk twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf Ask BIG a question here: Find BIG on facebook: ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk facebook.com/BigLotteryFund

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No spring clean would be complete without getting your finances in order. KATY WARD has eight easy ways to help you improve your money-management skills.

pring is traditionally a time to 2. DE-CLUTTER YOUR DEBT Alternatively, you could shift your debts dust off the cobwebs and get rid If you owe money to a number of creditors, onto a 0%-balance-transfer credit card. Sof unwanted clutter. it can be hard to know where to start These cards eliminate interest as part of And from a financial point of view, it’s also paying off your debts. If this sounds familiar, an introductory offer - speeding up your the start of the new tax year. you could benefit from a technique known return to financial health. as ‘snowballing’. Now could be a perfect time to take an 3. SHELTER FROM THE TAXMAN honest look at your bank balance, banish If you’re not getting a favourable return on your savings, there is good news this any bad habits and make room for spring in the form of ISAs. A cash ISA improved financial planning. is a savings account that allows you By following these eight simple steps, to save your money with interest you could be well on your way to free of UK income tax. financial health in time for summer. You must be resident and 1. RUN A CREDIT CHECK ordinarily resident in the UK and Before you can start your spring aged 16 or over to hold a cash clean, you’ll need an accurate ISA. You pay no tax on any of the interest that you earn from the picture of the state of your savings in your cash ISA. You finances. One of the easiest can take your money out at any time ways to get this information is without losing tax relief. by checking your credit report. This You can only open one cash ISA in is a snapshot of your financial First you single every tax year but there are no limits on health and a good indication of how out one of your debts the number of cash ISAs you can hold potential lenders will view you should and concentrate all your efforts on over time. You can save up to £5,640 you apply for credit. paying this off, while making theminimum in the 2013 tax year, which ends on The best way to get hold of your credit repayments on everything else. 5 April 2013. report is through one of the UK’s three As soon as you have paid your first debt 4. MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK credit-referencing agencies: Experian, off, turn your attention to the next - then If the bulk of your salary goes into your Equifax and Callcredit. You can view your continue until you’re debt free. It can be current account each month, you could report for free by signing up for a 30-day very psychologically rewarding to watch as cash in by changing your bank. Some trial with Credit Expert (under Experian). your creditors become fewer and fewer. lenders offer a cash incentive to customers

Gentoo Living Acumen Community Potts Print (UK) T: 0191 525 5000 Enterprise Development Trust T: 0845 375 1875 W: gentooliving.com T: 0191 587 8000 W: potts.co.uk W: acumentrust.org.uk

The North East Social Barchester Health Care Five Lamps Enterprise Partnership T: 01670 82 777 T: 01642 608 316 T: 0191 427 2150 W: barchester.com W: fivelamps.org.uk W: nesep.co.uk

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800 Jobs Created with Wallsend Factory Plans MORE than 800 jobs are set to be created along the River Tyne after plans were approved for a new factory to make parts for offshore wind turbines. The £50m facility is to be constructed at a yard on Hadrian Road, in Wallsend, North Tyneside by Offshore Group Newcastle (OGN), which is behind the project. The factory will help to boost the offshore and renewable energy industry and the new 36,000sqm fabrication unit will be used to produce metal jackets for wind turbines, including the innovative Triton foundation.

barclays.co.uk whoswitchto their service. surprised by justhow muchmoneyyou Switching accountscan be worth the waste eachmonth. It could be worth Can You Support or keeping a week-long spending diary to trouble ofaphone call to do so, for Sponsor ME North East? example,you’ll receivea£100 cashback record where every penny goes. You may when you switchto first direct, butterms find that seeminglysmall expenses suchas ME/CFS, affects 12,000 people in the North East alone. It’s a debilitating and conditions apply. To compare top buying yourlunchatwork and having a tipple in the pubaddup very quickly. illness that can strike anybody, causing dealson current and savings accounts, just severe and persistent fatigue, chronic visit mailonline.co.uk 8. GET FREE MONEY pain and cognitive impairment. ME can 5. SHOP AROUND FOR INSURANCE Whatever yourfinancial position,you make it very difficult to remain in work. can provide you with vital financial shouldn’tmiss out on the chanceto get ME North East (www.menortheast.org) something fornothing.Compare car receives no direct funding and is the protection should disaster strike. But,with insurance or energy prices at mailon- only registered charity that helps yourhome, health and life tocover, costs line.co.uk/ compare and, if you switch,we people in our region learn about soon add up. will find there’s often money pacing themselves, sleep, pain and energy management to reduce sickness It’s vital you make sure you’re notpaying to be had as aresult. over the odds. If you’venever switched absence. If your business or organisation is considering choosing a good cause or yourinsurance company, it’s unlikely charity to work with in the New Year, you’re getting the bestdeal.Many or you are thinking about fund raising insurance companiesonlyoffer their activities where the proceeds will make mostattractive deals as an incentive a real difference, then we would love to attractnew customers. Compare For furtherinformation to hear from you. insuranceprovidersonline and you can about savings, credit cards For an informal chat, please contact and loans take a look visit: often get cashback, so it’s well worth Jennifer Elliot on 0191 389 2222 or doing,or you can introduce a friend and adviceguide.org.uk email: [email protected] barclays.co.uk makemore for yourself too. mailonline.co.uk moneysavingexpert.com 6. RETHINK HOUSEHOLDBILLS In the past two months Justbecauseit’s spring does notmeanyou moneysupermarket myeggnest.com can forget aboutgas and electricity prices. the ‘most clicked’links at According to regulator Ofgem, the informnorth.com have been: average household faces a bill each year 1) www.gov.uk/jobsearch formore than £1,200 forgas and 2) www.gov.uk/browse/benefits electricity. If you want to beat downthose bills, it might be 3) informnorth archive worth shopping around 4) www.gov.uk foranewsupplier: it 5) informnorth showreel really could save you hundredsofpounds. 6) newcastle.ac.uk 7. THINK ABOUT 7) rnib.org.uk EXPENSES 8) www.sunderland.ac.uk As soonasyoustart 9) www.facebook.com examining your budget, you’ll 10) www.ucas.co.uk probably be

February 2013 57 x119035_Inform_p2_ab:x119035_Inform_p2_ab 26/1/13 09:26 Page 58 social volunteer community development Too Many Employers From the Archive Unaware of Youth Contract Whilst looking back at past issues of informnorth it’s amazing to see not only how our The Recruitment and Employment magazine has consistently improved over the years, but also how it has also held true to Confederation's (REC) latest survey of its original goals and objectives and key elements that have made it such a success. employers finds that an alarming four out of five employers (78%) say they are But the pathway to success isn’t only about change - it’s also about recognising what either totally unaware or will not be you’re good at and using all your best assets to maximum potential. There’s a lot of making use of the government’s Youth truth behind the old saying that ‘if it’s not broken don’t fix it’ but that’s not to say you Contract scheme. can never fine-tune what you do for optimal performance, of course. Reflecting on the past also helps us to realise that there is never time to sit back and rest on your laurels - if you want to be successful and achieve your full potential in life you must always strive to do your best and set new goals and targets for what you hope to go on and achieve in life, whether that’s in employment or as an active member of society.. You can always rely on informnorth to provide the very best, up-to-date advice, guidance and signposting in the region but we’re not perfect though - and if you spot something in that’s wrong or needs updating in our pages, please get in touch and we’ll sort it. Our website is visited by more than 200,000 people each year and you can use it to link to many of our partners. You can download every single past issue online for FREE just by visiting www.informnorth.com and selecting the archive section. New Principal at East Durham College ONE YEAR AGO East Durham College has appointed Suzanne Duncan in post as the new Just exactly the same as last year, the very Principal and Chief Executive Officer. start and beginning of the 2012 was littered Hartlepool-born Suzanne joins the with snow drifts, freezing roads and bad College from Sunderland College where weather. 2011 was just a mild Spring day in she had worked for five and a half years comparison. The poor weather and the in the role of Vice Principal. Mrs Duncan was educated at Northumbria where she continuing lack of funding and resources read Travel and Tourism Management forced us to look to the future and use our before working in the travel industry for reserves to publish this special bumper issue, a number of years in London before knowing we would be starting work on returning to the northeast. The College, nelink.info - our new regional portal straight afterwards. which has campuses in Peterlee, and And although the year turned out to be a washout weather- Houghall near Durham City, employs wise with never-ending rainfall and floods, nelink was really shaping up. nearly 500 full and part time staff and has over 2,000 learners. Business School Bucks Trend THREE YEARS AGO to increase MBA Numbers Chris Pywell and at ONE was instrumental in Warwick Business School is bucking the helping us get the year off to a fantastic trend as more and more students take up its MBA course offers. A survey by the start, with a whole range of new partners Financial Times has found that WBS was and editorial topics starting to filter their one of just three UK business schools to way in to the magazine on a regular basis. see the number of students enrolling on This built on all our previous content and their MBA programme increase in the helped drive record numbers of site visitors last twelve months. Overall the number to informnorth.com, where we saw more of students enrolling on the top 18 MBA that 200,000 individual site visitors for the programmes in the country has fallen, sharply shrinking by 21 per cent since its very first time. This trend continued and the explosion in peak in 2010. Yet WBS, which is part of the number of downloaded issues led to us expanding and the University of Warwick has seen a 27 upgrading our servers, ahead of the increased demand we were likely to see. per cent rise in the number of students doing the full-time MBA. FIVE YEARS AGO

New Approach to At the start of 2007 we investigated the Support UK Manufacturers wealth of rewarding career and business IfM Education and Consultancy Services opportunities available locally within the (IfM ECS) Limited, the dissemination arm fields of Science and Technology. Working of the University of Cambridge Institute with lots of key partners including the for Manufacturing (IfM), has launched a UK-wide business development and Science City and Software City initiatives, we growth programme for small and medium highlighted the support that was available sized manufacturing businesses, following to anyone considering science or technology the success of recent projects in the as their pathway to progression and in to Midlands and East of England. A new employment. This cracking bumper issue also contained a guide to the programme is now available special feature looking at the recent changes and improvements from IfM ECS, entitled ‘Help For Smaller Manufacturers’. Call 01223 766141 for in the East Durham area ahead of the introduction of an enlarged a copy, or to discuss this programme Durham County Council. Working with the Local Strategic Partnership and its in more detail, contact Dr Derek Ford members, we explored the investments being made to improve the area and direct by email - [email protected] the support available to many of our local communities.

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SARAH SAYS: Take inspiration from failure...

Not one to be beaten and certainly not one to fail... Informnorth’s Sarah Lee tells you how to take inspiration from failure. Read on and find out...

t was Aerican writer, “Success is the ability people to relate to, it was just Elbert Hubbard that resistance and a determination Iis reputed to have to go from failure to to succeed. Mostly resistance said, ‘There is no failure without losing your though, because it’s having failure except in no or not having resistance that longer trying’, and I enthusiasm.” sets us up to give up, when for one, always try to live by we first experience some of the that rule wherever possible. inevitable discrepancy that can exist That’s because I believe that the between what we hoped for and the minute you stop trying is when you hard process of making it happen. are really setting yourself up for failure… to failure was well and truly tested early The typical story about facing failure is in my career, during the first few months Thomas Edison’s experience with over 700 Inspiration is the purest and most powerful following my graduation. failures create an incandescent light bulb. source of human motivation and to feel I had applied for over 100 jobs; I got He persisted and persevered by living with “inspired” is a wonderful feeling, but what six interviews and only 30 odd rejection each of the failures and reframing them as inspires one person will be completely letters. It was disheartening, but the fact as simply learning about 700 things that different to what inspires another, so I guess that I never gave up really stood me in did not work! We’ve all seen failure - and it’s totally within our gift to find that inspiration. good stead. most of us look at it as something which It’s been over 11 years since I graduated So what was my inspiration? Well really ruins us - so instead, why not flip it over and have been working, but my resistance it wasn’t anything that unusual for most and let failure become your inspiration?

Here are my top six tips to working with failure and making it your inspiration…

1. Find out the reason for failure Remember, this is your life, and what you’re on the wrong path. It can be an If there are no obstacles on your road to others say should not matter. Never feel indication that your success lies success - your goal isn’t worth it. Life is ashamed of yourself because of failure - somewhere else. If you have a feeling not an easy ride and failures will come, failure only means that success is that it’s just not going to work, then but it’s what you learn from them that coming next! you’ll know and can take another route changes everything. Write down 4. Make a plan - don’t let your gut feeling be an excuse everything you have learnt from your Plan everything out - your goals, to fail but listen to it - it’s usually right. failure and how you can improve it. aspirations, aims and set time limits to So remember it’s only when you Once you have it all in front of you, them. Success is comprised of four Ds consider yourself as a failure to be final think about what you are going to do = Determination + Dedication + Desire that you actually are a failure! So long now. Forget about the failure in the past + Devotion. A well structured plan can as you believe that your failure is not and think about the bright future you help you to be more focused in your own opinion, you can come back have ahead of you. achieving your goals. and succeed. 2. Try again…and try harder 5. Motivate yourself Failure is not actually fatal so why fear Try again, with more passion, don’t Have faith in yourself. In times like it; the fear of failure can hinder your repeat your mistakes and give it 100 these, it is very easy to consider yourself goals and keep you from trying again. per cent - that way, you’ll know that you worthless and lose hope in everything. Franklin Roosevelt said that the only gave it your all, you gave it your best Don’t let that get to you. Motivate thing we have to fear is fear itself. But shot. yourself, think positive thoughts and from failure comes fear; a fear of 3. Don’t care what others think believe in your self - become your “getting back on the horse” and failing This is very important. We easily get own inspiration. again. I say jump back on the horse, influenced and affected by people 6. Listen to your gut feeling grab the reins and enjoy the ride. around us and what they say about us. Sometimes, failure can also mean that

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key facts and distribution details

INFORMNORTH is unique to the North East of England where WITH 15,000 COPIES AND 65,000 AVERAGE ISSUE we help to inform and inspire readers of all ages. Research shows READERS, OURS IS THE MOST WIDELY DISTRIBUTED that many of the people who read informnorth are not engaged MAGAZINE OF ITS KIND IN THE NORTHEAST AND by more ‘traditional’ media and do not read other publications. BACKED UP AND FULLY SUPPORTED ONLINE.

INFORMNORTH is a social enterprise - we are not a charity or 15,000 copies of informnorth are distributed in all parts mouthpiece of any business organisation or agency and support the of Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and key objectives of many of our partners. across the Tees Valley. This gives advertisers an unrivalled reach and penetration for their promotional messages, which INFORMNORTH is printed and distributed quarterly, four will be seen by more than 65,000 average-issue readers. times each year, which means that your promotional messages are seen for much longer and read by far more 1,300 copies of informnorth are mailed first-class to people. It also means we don’t have to rely on just ‘filling key decision makers, influencers and senior managers space’ with old press releases or out of date information. in businesses and organisations of all sizes, locally and regionally. We also provide an important role and voice by INFORMNORTH is totally passionate about raising aspirations lobbying wherever issues might concern us. and encouraging people to take positive action. We offer unrivalled sign posting and quality guidance throughout our magazine and ONE THIRD of all of copies are distributed to a unique arm readers with everything they need to know, in order to take network of local education and training providers. We work those important next steps, whatever they may be. with every secondary and middle school, particularly those with specialist status, as well as adult and youth training providers, INFORMNORTH champions self development and the benefits Jobcentre's, IAG providers and each college and university of acquiring new skills and updating old ones. We flag the widest in our region who are also linked by informnorth.com possible range of opportunities that are available and highlight where readers can turn to take quickly in order to advantage of ONE THIRD of all copies are widely distributed to the the help and support that exists locally. North East business community, where we focus and INFORMNORTH is celebrating more than ten successful years target small and micro businesses, SMEs and the regions of partnership work across all business, education and top 200 largest companies. We support the work of all community sectors - time that has been spent helping to bridge twelve Local Authorities and Councils and both LEP’s, the gaps that exist between business and community, whilst each business support network, enterprise agencies, local promoting the wider benefits of self development, skills and enterprise. business and incubator centres and support the objectives of organisations such NECC and Entrepreneurs Forum. INFORMNORTH is backed up and supported online with an unrivalled website resource that is frequented by more than ONE THIRD of all copies are distributed at a ‘grass roots’ 214,000 individual site visitors each year. level to local and regional community and voluntary sector organisations. This includes McDonalds and ASDA, INFORMNORTH is also responsible for the North East Skills community groups, Youth Clubs, hospital waiting rooms, Academy (NESA) and nelink.info - a new regional web portal WRVS, and Doctors’ Surgeries - places where people have designed to help people of all ages through work experience and more time and many more opportunities to access, read volunteering, by opening the door to employment opportunities. and act upon the content of our unique publication.

INFORMNORTH IS THE REGIONS ONLY SPECIALIST SELF DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS AND ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE If you are planning a media or advertising campaign and want your marketing budget to stretch further, then include informnorth magazine in the schedule. As a social enterprise and the only publication of its kind, informnorth has been designed to help people and support businesses, front line service providers, key agencies and the organisations who appear in each issue. We bring the very best support services together under the banner of one single, easy-to-access and use publication covering the whole region. Get the most from your budget - and get in touch to see how we can work together. To find out more, call 0191 5866 010 or email [email protected]

*Informnorth targets those aged 14+ through to retirement age and beyond. Each issue is proof-read for people with a reading age of 14+. To find out more about informnorth and our objectives, to link to our partners or download back issues from the informnorth archive, just visit informnorth.com

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In association with:

Berwick-upon-Tweed Holy island (Lindsfarne) Informnorth distribution area and Coldstream Farne Islands Belford local statistical data guide to northeast Cornhill-upon-Tweed Bamburgh Seahouses Wooler Beadnell The North East: No or % Degree level/higher:15 Population: 2,509,504 No qualifications: 34.7 Alnwick Dunstanburgh Males: 1,218,579 Employed socio-economic Craster Northumberland Females: 1,296,863 groups (%) Almouth Warkworth Employed: 1,059,995 Higher managerial Rothbury Amble Kielder Otterburn or professional: 5.6 Water Cragside Unemployed: 48,924 Aged 0 - 15: 497,321 Lower managerial Ashington or professional: 15.5 Kielder Bellingham Cambo Aged 16 - 74: 1,831,354 Morpeth Aged 75+: 186,767 Intermediate or Blyth small employers: 13.6 Ponteland Area: 859,200ha Hadrians Whitley Bay Lower supervisory or Wall Newcastle Households: 1,070,424 Hexham Tynemouth technical workers: 7.9 Gateshead South Shields Haltwhistle With residents: 1,066,292 Corbridge Tyne Washington Routine occupation: 24 Sunderland Qualifications all 16-74 % Allendale & Wear Blanchland Alston Seaham Chester-le-Street Wolsingham Durham City County Durham Stanhope Hamsterley Hartlepool Sedgefield Bishop Auckland Redcar Romaldkirk Raby Castle Tees Valley Saltburn-by-the-Sea Stockton-on-Tees Middleton-in-Teesdale Middlesbrough Darlington Barnard Castle Guisborough Yarm *All information is taken from the last census and the copyright of informnorth

Tyne & Wear Northumberland Income & Work Related Population: 1,070,000 Population: 307,190 Households: 462,824 Households: 130,000 Employed:...... 998,351 Area: 54,014 hectares Area: 502,600 hectares Travel to work by car:...... 64% Socio-economic group of those employed (%) Socio-economic group of those employed (%) Higher managerial/professional: 5.63 Higher managerial/professional: 6.68 Travel to work by public Lower managerial/professional: 14.73 Lower managerial/professional: 17.12 transport:...... 14% Intermediate/small employers: 13.71 Intermediate/small employers: 16.12 Unemployed:...... 82987 Lower supervisory/technical workers: 7.35 Lower supervisory/technical workers: 7.97 Routine occupations: 23.44 Routine occupations: 22.7 % Long-term:...... 29,321 People in employment: 419,930 People in employment: 132,645 Student economically Unemployment: 23,016 Unemployment: 4,424 active:...... 41,584 Retired:...... 274,985 Durham Tees Valley Student economically Population: 493,470 Population: 638,844 Households: 200,000 Households: 277,700 inactive:...... 86,736 Area: 223,000 hectares Area: 79,420 hectares Looking after home Socio-economic group of those employed (%) Socio-economic group of those employed (%) Higher managerial/professional: 5.29 Higher managerial/professional: 5.21 /family:...... 120,428 Lower managerial/professional: 14.69 Lower managerial/professional: 15.22 Permanently sick or Intermediate/small employers: 13.22 Intermediate/small employers: 12.67 Lower supervisory/technical workers: 8.15 Lower supervisory/technical workers: 8.61 disabled:...... 164,313 Routine occupations: 24.91 Routine occupations: 24.46 Other inactive:...... 61,970 People in employment: 256,120 People in employment: 251,300 Unemployment: 6,759 Unemployment: 14,725

North East England: Key demographic information Age: In line with national trends, the North also in relation to the burden of caring of the North East has changed significantly East population is ageing, and now has one responsibilities that they continue to shoulder. since the 2001 Census. In particular, the of the highest proportions of over 60s in Women earn less than their male counterparts, regions non-White population has grown England. Within the region, however, there and the continue to be under-represented at dramatically; there have been marked is considerable variation, with the rural north professional and managerial levels. They are increases in the Black African, Black displaying a generally older, and the south and more likely to be concentrated at the lower Caribbean, Chinese, Mixed heritage, Other urban parts of the region, a comparatively skilled end of the market, particularly in the Ethnic population groups, as well as in the younger age profile. At both ends of the scale, service industries. As at national level, there Other White category. At the same time, the large numbers of the youngest and oldest are also marked differences in the educational North East remains one of the least diverse people in the North East live in poverty as performance of boys and girls in the region. regions of the UK; the top five districts with the defined by the Government. Gross pensioner Although achievement for all North East pupils highest proportion of White British people incomes are well below the UK average, and is low in comparison with the rest of England, (99%) are all in this region. In terms of almost 1 in 4 children under 16 live in house- boys in the North East perform particularly employment and ethnicity, there are some holds that are dependent on workless benefits. badly, with fewer boys achieving good grades notable trends. In particular, White and mixed at GCSE/A/AS level, and a higher proportion race people are the most likely to be employed Gender: Women play an increasingly active of boys reported as ‘not settled’ at the end of in routine and manual jobs, whilst Pakistani / role in the North East labour market however compulsory education. Bangladeshi people have the lowest significant gender divisions persist, particularly employment rates in the region, and are most in terms of the nature of the work the majority Ethnicity: According to recently released likely to be classed as having never worked or of women currently perform in the region, and experimental ONS statistics, the ethnic diversity as long-term unemployed.

informnorth February 2013 61 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:18 Page 62 social volunteer community development Girls Missing Out on Jobs A brand new report, conducted by the UKRC – WISE and sponsored by BAE Systems suggests that that the problems start at school. 17 per cent of job vacancies in England are now directly attributable to skills shortages, so why are we not tapping into the female talent pool? Girls traditionally opt for English, Art and Creative subjects rather than Maths and Physics, thereby closing the doors to many science and technical careers – where the jobs in the future are going to be. For more visit theukrc.org Where there’s Complete our special readership a Will… Have you got a Will? questionnaire and you could Is it up to date and do others know where to win a brand new iPad Mini find it? Writing a Will and regularly reviewing it is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. Certainty, the National Will register allows your family to And get in touch - and discover how locate your Will quickly and easily in the future after you have passed on. For more contact we can help your business, Julie Garbutt at Sintons on 0191 226 7878 or email [email protected] group or organisation Informnorth Targets and This year will see us working with more businesses, community groups Supports More NE Businesses and charitable organisations than ever before, right across the northeast. Fifteen thousand copies of informnorth We’ll be doing this through informnorth magazine, the north east skills magazine are distributed to key decision academy (nesa) and nelink.info - our exciting new regional web portal. makers and businesses of all sizes across the northeast - more than any other To help us engage with the widest network of partners possible, we are comparative publication. visiting different employers and organisations to explain about our Informnorth is published four times each work and objectives as a social enterprise. We’ll be on the look-out year and is unique in bridging the gap for success stories and great case studies to share with our readers between businesses and communities in all parts of the region and is widely recognised and ways we can support each other too. If you want to as the leading social enterprise of its kind. be added to the joining list for a site visit, it’s a You can find out more and download free service and we’d love to hear from you. back issues for free from our archive, available online at informnorth.com You can call us on 0191 5866 010 or by email - [email protected] Open Invite at Lit & Phil The Lit & Phil opened in 1825 and is the largest independent library outside London with over 160,000 books and 7000 CDs. It’s also one of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Newcastle, with an incredible history. But don’t just take our word for it, get yourself along and have a look around, take a FREE tour and browse the shelves. And if you decide to join, you can take advantage of a £10 reduction, and join for £90, or £130 as a family member. Just quote “AD” or tell them informnorth sent you when you apply. For more information, call Alma Devine on 0191 232 0192 or visit litandphil.org.uk New Website for Community Land Advisory Service A new website has been launched as part of an initiative aiming to make more land available for UK community gardening and growing groups. The Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) is an impartial, collaborative initiative that is designed to help tackle the existing lack of available land for community gardening and associated activities, as demand from the community sector for land has outstripped traditional sources of supply for years and demand is continuing to grow. For more information, visit communitylandadvice.org.uk

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Informnorth market research: February - April 2013

READER SURVEY DON’T HANG AROUND - YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT When it comes to great case studies, combined with the most as helpful as possible for readers of all ages and backgrounds, helpful advice and information on where you can turn for help we also know that we can always improve on what we do. and support, we know we’ve definitely got it covered. That’s where you fit in and why what you say is important to us. When it comes to bridging the gap between businesses of all sizes complete and send us this special readership questionnaire and and local communities, ensuring we carry up-to-date details of the you could win yourself a brand new 16 GB wifi enabled iPad mini. best sources of advice and information, we know we meet the brief. We want to ensure we are covering key issues as informatively as And when it comes to the benefits of updating old skills and gaining possible and use the information gathered to make our publication the qualifications needed for emerging jobs and careers, we know more relevant to readers, sponsors and advertisers. that informnorth stands alone, because there’s nothing similar, Through this type of market research and our regular focus groups, anywhere else or in any part of our region. we aim to continually improve everything we do. The winner will be But whilst informnorth has been designed to be easy-to-access and notified don’t delay and, so good luck!

Where did you get hold of this copy How much of the content do you We aim to be as informative as Please provide further information you of informnorth magazine? read in each issue? possible for our readers. Does the feel would improve the magazine: magazine contain: Around 25% Not enough information/text Between 25 - 50% Between 50 - 75% Too much information/text Have you seen it/read it before? More then 75% Just right Yes No Please complete all of the details for your chance to Do you think informnorth could Would you recommend informnorth Is there anywhere else you would like inspire you to do any of the following? WIN our iPad Mini: to see this magazine available from? to your friends/relatives? Help you to find employment Name: Yes No Help you do better in your Contact No: current job The magazine is designed to be read Email: Changing career by a wide age range. We try to cover a feature in each issue that is broadly Address: On average how long did you spend Starting a new course aimed at those aged, 14-24, 25-45 reading your copy of informnorth? Help inspire you to self employment and 46+. Do you think this is a good format? About 10 minutes Consider volunteering Yes No Between 15 and 25 minutes Other: please specify Age range: Around 25 minutes Where do you think you would turn to 14 - 19 20 - 35 FIRST for information and guidance? Over 35 minutes Many of our readers tell us they are (please tick ONE) 36 - 45 46+ More then 45 minutes inspired by real-life success stories and case studies, would you agree? Printed media such as informnorth Tell us about yourself, are you? Informnorth magazine is published four magazine, newspapers, leaflets, Please circle: Yes No brochures times each year, is this often enough for At school / College / University your needs? Have you found any of the information Other media such as internet, TV, Training / Apprenticeship Yes No in informnorth especially useful? radio, teletext Please give details: Parents/relatives/peers In Employment / Self Employed / Unemployed How long do you think you will keep your copy of informnorth? Other, please state: Other: Do you want more details? For a few days Please tick as appropriate and we will About a week or so What other magazines do you read? contact and help you:

About 1 month Are there any other subjects you would Advertising like to see covered in informnorth? More then 2 months Subscribing Please give details: What newspapers do you read? Will not keep it Engaging with other partners and organisations in my area/North East Once you have read it do you refer back to your copy of informnorth? What radio stations do you listen to? Other: Yes No

For your chance to win one of five complete sets of books, please complete and post this form to us BEFORE 30th April 2013 to us here at informnorth, 3 Windsor Corner, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 4HR.

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Informnorth essential guide to local authority, volunteering & social sector

Government/Local Authorities: LEAP Adult Education Centre Stanley One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 595 Association of North East Councils Tel: 01833 690 281 (for people with dyslexia) CSV Community Connection Tel: 0845 076 0080, northeastcouncils.gov.uk Learn East, Tel: 0191 586 2402 Tel: 0191 232 6616 Durham Mencap, Tel: 0191 487 0444, mencap.org.uk CSV Volunteering and Community Services Durham County Council Tel: 0191 232 6616, newnet.org.uk/csv Tel: 0300 123 7070, durham.gov.uk New Deal for Disabled People Tel: 0845 606 2626, newdeal.gov.uk Groundwork North East Tel: 0191 384 2233, Tees Valley groundwork-northeast.org.uk Northern Pine Tree Trust, Birtley Darlington Borough Council Tel: 0191 492 8215, Help Yourselves Award Scheme Tel: 01325 380 651, darlington.gov.uk northernpinetreetrust.co.uk helpyourselves.org.uk Business Engagement Team Tel: 01325 388 687/388 686/388 682 Opportunities Newcastle National Database of Volunteering email: [email protected] Tel: 0191 2321994, opportunities.org.uk do-it.org.uk darlington.gov.uk/business Pioneering Care Centre NCT Tel: 0300 330 0700 Hartlepool Borough Council Tel: 01325 321 234, pcp.uk.net Breastfeeding line: 0300 330 0771 Pregancy and Birth line: 0300 330 0772 Tel: 01429 266 522, investinhartlepool.com RBLI Gateshead Tel: 0800 783 1144, rbli.co.uk Postnatal line: 0300 330 0773 Middlesbrough Council Remploy Tel: 0800 138 7656, remploy.co.uk Shared Experiences line: 0300 330 0774 Tel: 01642 245 432, middlesbrough.gov.uk Return to Learn Centre, Stanley NSPCC Tel: 020 7825 2500 nspcc.org.uk Redcar and Cleveland Council Tel: 01207 230521 Tel: 0845 612 6126, redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Reach Tel: 01670 840 794, Shaw Trust Tel: 0800 085 1001, reach-online.org.uk Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council shaw-trust.org.uk Tel: 01642 393 939, stockton.gov.uk The National Trust WorkAble Tel: 01904 771 963, nationaltrust.org.uk Northumberland Sunderland Tel: 0191 566 0926 Northumberland County Council, Newcastle & Gateshead Tel: 0191 274 8585, Timebank Tel: 0845 600 6400, northumberland.gov.uk thewisegroup.co.uk Tel: 0845 456 1668, timebank.org.uk Tyne and Wear VOLUNTARY, COUNSELLING & TCV, Tel: 0191 414 7876, tcv.org.uk City of Sunderland COMMUNITY SECTOR ORGANISATIONS: Victim Support Tel. 0191 520 5555, sunderland.gov.uk ASCA Counselling & Therapy Services Tel: 020 7735 9166, victimsupport.org.uk Gateshead Council Tel: 0191 238 2130 Vinspired - vinspired.com Tel: 0191 433 3000, gateshead.gov.uk Catalyst, stockton - Tel: 01642 733 906 VONNE Tel: 0191 233 2000, vonne.co.uk Newcastle City Council catalyststockton.org voluntaryskills.com Tel: 0191 232 8520, newcastle.gov.uk Citizens Advice Bureau - Tel: 08451 264 264 Tel: 0191 261 6009, voluntaryskills.com North Tyneside - Metropolitan Borough Council citizensadvice.org.uk Volunteering England Tel: 0191 200 5000, northtyneside.gov.uk County Durham Adult learning and Skills Tel: 0845 305 6979, volunteering.org.uk South Tyneside - Metropolitan Borough Council Service Tel: 0191 383 4668 Northumberland Tel: 0191 427 1717, southtyneside.info durham.gov.uk/adultlearning CSV Volunteer and Training Centre Benefit Enquiry Line Tel: 0800 882 200, gov.uk County Durham Area Action Partnerships Tel: 01670 544 445, newnet.org.uk/csv Tel: 0300 026 0000, durham.gov.uk/aap Disability Benefits Helpline CVA Blyth Valley Tel: 0845 712 3456, gov.uk County Durham Children’s Service Tel: 01670 353 623, cvabv.org.uk Tel: 01325 375 943, getoutthere.info House of Commons, Tel: 020 7219 4272 Community Action Northumberland parliament.uk/business/commons County Durham One Point Network Tel: 01670 517 178, ca-north.org.uk tinyurl.com/nelinkOnePoint Tax Credit Helpline Barnard Castle One Point Hub, Northumberland Community Development Tel: 0845 300 3900, hmrc.gov.uk Tel: 03000 261 612 Network, Ashington TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT FOR Bishop Auckland One Point Hub, Tel: 01670 816561/01668 219879, ncdn.org PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Tel: 03000 261 819 Northumberland VCS Consortium, Ashington A4E Job Broker Service Chester le Street One Point Hub, Tel: 01670 517 178 Tel: 0800 345 666, a4e.co.uk Tel: 03000 261 515 northumberlandvcs.org.uk Broker North East Tel: 0800 389 7036 Consett One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 720 Volunteer Centre Prudhoe, Prudhoe CSV Ability Training 0191 271 0225 Durham One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 655 Tel:01661 836 668, volunteerprudhoe.org Ferryhill One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 553 Finchale Training College Newton Aycliffe One Point Hub, Volunteering Northumberland, Ashington Tel: 0191 386 2634, finchalecollege.co.uk Tel: 03000 261 784 Tel: 01670 858 688, wansbeckcvs.org.uk Focus on Learning Peterlee One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 705 Wansbeck CVS, Ashington Tel: 0191 373 3146, durham.gov.uk Seaham One Point Hub, Tel: 03000 261 742 Tel: 01670 858 688, wansbeckcvs.org.uk informnorth spotlight on: ME North East ME North East is a regional charity fatigue occurring several days after activity. supporting people with Myalgic There is no single diagnostic test, no Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue known cause, and no cure, although early Syndrome (ME/CFS) their families and and suitable pacing intervention can lead carers. ME/CFS affects all ages, all social to improvements. The outcome in young classes, a ratio of 3-1 are female. DoH people is much greater, particularly with prevalence rates estimate over 12,000 in early diagnosis. the North East. ME is a neurological ME North East offer support, help, illness characterised by muscle fatigue, understanding and information to families memory and concentration problems, pain, and carers and empower people to make chronic exhaustion and severe informed choices. We inform and educate flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can be society to be more tolerant and supportive. extreme and may be worsened by even We deliver training to educate and inform minor physical or mental activity, with health, education and social care providers.

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self development social and CSR volunteering society

Tyne & Wear Tommy Armstrong Centre Headland Development Trust CSV Action Sunderland Tel: 01207 218 855, cvs.derwentside.org.uk Tel: 01429 420 302, Tel: 0191 551 8241, csv.org.uk/volunteer Tees Valley Informnorth - the north east’s only social Gateshead Volunteering Evolution Darlington Tel: 01325 266 888, enterprise self developmentmagazine. Tel: 0191 478 4103, gvoc.org.uk evolutiondarlington.com Tel: 0191 586 6010, informnorth.co.uk Tyneside MIND Hartlepool Volunteer Bureau Project North East Tel: 0191 477 4545, tynesidemind.org.uk Tel: 01429 262 641, hvda.org.uk Tel: 0191 261 6009, pne.org Middlesbrough Volunteer Centre North Tyneside Voluntary Sedgefield Development Trust Tel: 01642 803 613, mvda.info Organisation Development Agency Tel: 01740 629 011, sedgefieldweb.co.uk Tel: 0191 200 8555, voda.org.uk Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Social Enterprise Northumberland South Tyneside Resource for Development Agency Tel: 01670 534 149 Initiating Development of the Economy Tel: 01642 440 571, rcvda.org.uk enterprisenorthumberland.co.uk Tel: 0191 455 6680, stridenetwork.co.uk Teesdale & Wear Valley 2D, Crook Gentoo Living Tel: 01388 762 220, 2d.org.uk St Aidans Community Trust Tel: 01388 517 215, rookhope.com Tel: 0191 525 5000, gentoo.com Tees Valley Rural Community Council South Tyneside Youth Action Volunteers Tel: 01642 213 852, teesvalleyrcc.org.uk Wansbeck Works Tel: 0800 023 4440 Tel: 0191 454 8704, yav-st.org.uk OLDER AGE GROUP CONTACTS: SOCIAL CARE: South Tyneside CVS Age Positive County Durham Social Care Direct Tel: 0191 456 9551, southtynesidecvs.org.uk dwp.gov.uk/age-positiveagepositive.gov.uk Tel: 0845 850 5010 Sunderland CVS Maturity Works, maturityworks.co.uk durham.gov.uk/yourlifeyourchoice Tel: 0191 565 1566, sunderlandcvs.co.uk Prime Tel: 0800 783 1904, primeinitia- English Community Care Association Sunderland Volunteer Bureau tive.org.uk Tel: 0845 577677, ecca.org.uk Tel: 0191 567 8902, Third Age Employment Network General Social Care Council volunteersunderland.org.uk Tel: 020 7843 1590, taen.org.uk Tel: 020 7397 5100, gscc.org.uk Volunteer Centre Newcastle CSV University of the Third Age Tel: 0191 232 6616, National Council for Voluntary Organisations Tel: 020 8466 6139, u3a.org.uk volunteercentrenewcastle.org.uk Tel: 020 77134 6161 EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY: ncvo-vol.org.uk County Durham County Office, Durham Tel: 0191 383 4400 2D-Crook, Tel: 01388 762 220, 2d.org.uk National Institute of Adult Continuing Dales Area, Bishop Auckland CAVOS, Tel: 01388 811 115, cavos.org.uk Education Tel: 0116 204 4200, niace.org.uk Tel: 01388 662 577 Chester-le-Street CVS, Tel: 0191 389 1960 National Skills Academy for Social Care chesterlestreetcvs.co.uk Durham Area Tel: 0191 383 9176 Tel: 020 7268 3082, nsasocialcare.org.uk Derwentside Volunteer Bureau East Durham Area, Peterlee Skills for Care Tel: 0113 245 1716, Tel: 01207 218 855, volunteerbureau.org.uk Tel: 0191 587 1098 skillsforcare.org.uk North Durham Area, Stanley Durham City CVS Tel: 0191 384 4801, durham- Social Care Institute for Excellence Tel: 01207 232 565 citydistrictcvs.co.uk Tel: 020 7024 7650, scie.org.uk Durham City District Volunteer Bureau Sedgefield Area, Rushyford Tel: 01388 720 911 The College of Social Work Tel: 0191 383 1944 Tel: 020 7024 7650, collegeofsocialwork.org DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS: Durham Rural Community Council Lanchester Helplines: - Tel: 01207 529 621 Acumen Community Carers UK Tel: 0808 808 7777 durhamrcc.org.uk Enterprise Development Trust Tel: 0191 518 8810, acumentrust.org.uk East Durham Trust ChildLine Tel: 0800 1111, childline.org.uk Tel: 0191 569 3511, eastdurhamtrust.org.uk Amble Development Trust Community Legal Advice Tel: 01665 712 929, ambledevelopmenttrust.org.uk Newton Aycliffe MIND Tel: 0845 345 4345, gov.uk Tel: 01325 300 121, Berwick Community Development Trust Consumer Direct Tel: 0845 4040 506, gov.uk mind.org.uk/help/mind_in_your_area/78 Tel: 01289 303 366 Crimestoppers-UK-wide Community Regeneration Trust North East One Voice Network Tel: 0800 555 111, crimestoppers-uk.org Tel: 01207 529 621, onevoice.co.uk Tel: 0191 424 5462, crtne.org.uk Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Sedgefield Development Partnership Community Ventures Ltd, Middlesbrough Tel: 0300 330 0630 Tel: 01740 629 011, sedgefieldweb.co.uk Tel: 01642 230 314, cvl.org.uk Sedgefield Borough Volunteer Bureau Greater Morpeth Development Trust National Debtline Tel: 808 808 4000 Tel: 01388 811 115, cavos.org.uk Tel: 0845 094 2493, gmdt.net Neighbourhood Watch Tel: 0116 229 3118

We work with Consultants to help people workshops and a variety of events to bring we welcome support from wherever we can manage their condition. We operate a people together to reduce isolation and get it. As NHS services for ME/CFS are limited, telephone helpline, offer crisis managements, increase self-confidence. with no services at all for children in some act as advocates in consultations and Funded in the main by major grant making localities, we play a critical role helping this meetings, appeals and medical assessments, charities; The Big Lottery Fund, Children disadvantaged, severely neglected patient and make home visits. We help people in Need, Lloyds TSB for example, we group. through the Welfare Benefits process. supplement our income with fund-raising • We support a growing number of local events involving our members, sponsored FYI: For more information ME North East events (Great North Run, Abseil and Zip ME self-help groups across the region. Bullion Hall, • We produce quarterly newsletters for Slides) and voluntary subscriptions. South Approach, both adults and children & young people. We are based in offices in Chester le Street, Chester le Street, • We offer a counselling service and yoga we have 4.2 members of staff, a membership Co Durham DH2 2ES www.menortheast.org classes offering relaxation and meditation of 1450 (350 are young people) and an [email protected] techniques. “active caseload” of over 100. To survive we Tel: 0191 3892222 • We plan and facilitate social activities, need approximately £13,500 per month and

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Starting a Business? PLANNING EVENTS OR We can help with access to help, support and premises. ACTIVITIES? To find out how you can benefit from working with us, call Mike Emerson or IfIf youryour youthyouth Hartlepool Enterprise group, charity or Team on 01429 867 677 business has something to get in touch toto shoutshout about,about, andand needsneeds toto plan for something special whilst getting the most from a tight budget, then we can help. Get inin touchtouch todaytoday toto findfind outout how.how.

0191 5866 010 Find Help, Support nesacademy.org.uk and Opportunity, Quickly & Easily

nelink is a brand new regional web make a difference portal that is concerned with helping people find more help and support. Training & Visit nelink.info today and discover Enterprise North East the easiest way to do something useful, widen your circle of contacts and We can help you gain a placement with local employers improve your chances the experience you need. We have the resources to help developing people, improving young lives, of gaining you to search for work and dedicated job search tutors employment. who will offer advice. We can help point you in the right direction quickly and easily and help you with your basic literacy and with numeracy, depending on your individual requirements. To find out more, contact us today.

CSV Training & Enterprise North East MEA House, Ellison Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8XS Start on £20k and lead Tel: 0191 232 6616 Fax: 0191 230 0180 an energetic young team make a difference

If you can get the best out of people you’ll probably make a great teacher. With colleagues like these, the job is certainly TheThe future’sfuture’s never dull. You could also progress to a salary of £34k or more(Inner London - £41k) To find out more about teaching and how you BRIGHTBRIGHT could receive a tax-free bursary of up to £9k to Supporting real-life entrepreneurs train, visit our stand or go to our website. Find out how it can teach.gov.uk 0845 6000 991 help your business, please Turn your talent to teaching call Simon Hanson, North East Development Manager T: O1207 506 138 BEAT THE RECESSION WITH OUR M: 07917 628 937 SPECIAL OFFER ON EXHIBITION STANDS AND MARKETING MATERIALS ...

If your business or community based organisation needs top quality marketing materials and exhibition displays and wants to get the most from your budget, then speak to to the team at informnorth first. Get the best impartial advice about your campaign from concept, design, copywriting, photography or help with other marketing materials, call us today and you won’t be dissapointed. Whatever your business, the FOR DETAILS CALL US TODAY ON 0191 5866 010 FSB WILL WORK FOR YOU. OR EMAIL: [email protected] TODAY www.fsb.org.uk

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Pathfinder: The north east’s leading business networks

Middlesbrough Borough Council Name: Project North East Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Enterprise Support Team USP: PNE offer a wide Enterprise Support Team range of services to grow, USP: Regeneration of the local economy is one develop and strengthen your business. USP: Local economic regeneration of the is one of the key challenges for Middlesbrough and Whether it’s basic information or inspiration, of the key challenges for Redcar and Cleveland the Economic Development team is playing a guidance and advice, PNE can help you run a and the Economic Development team is playing significant part in meeting that challenge. more successful business and also offer financial a significant part in meeting that challenge. Support covers two broad areas , one being a support and aid for businesses in the form of an Support covers two broad areas , one being a range of business support including grant easy-access loan fund. range of business support including grant funding and the second is to help local people Cost: FREE Service funding and the second is to help local people meet the employers business needs. meet the employers business needs. Tel: 01642 729 007 Contact: 0191 230 6409 Tel: 01642 444 225 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: industrial_development@ Website: Website: www.pne.org redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Website: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Name: The Prince’s Trust Name: Durham Darlington Borough Council Business Club Business Engagement Team USP: If you have a business idea, are aged 18-30 and are USP: Durham Business Club USP: Working to ensure a thriving local economy unemployed, then the Enterprise facilitate a vibrant business to business self-help and helping to create sustainable jobs is a priority Programme could be for you. organisation, providing opportunities for members for Darlington Council. The Council works with It provides a loan of up to £4000, to expand their network of contacts, develop their partners to stimulate development opportunities your own business mentor business skills, benefit from peer group experience to attract new investment to Darlington, and to and lots of additional support. and access useful information and advice. help existing businesses to prosper in Darlington Cost: Free Service Annual Subscription: £80 including VAT Contact: Business Engagement Team (£76 inc VAT if you pay by Direct Debit). Contact: 0191 497 3210 or 0800 842 842 Tel: 01325 388 687/388 686/388 682 Email: [email protected] Contact: 0191 388 4488 Email: [email protected] Website: www.prince-trust.org.uk Email: [email protected] Website: www.darlington.gov.uk/Business Website: www.durhambusinessclub.co.uk

Name: South Durham Name: TEDCO Business Network USP: TEDCO helps new USP: The network provides and established businesses a mechanism for local businesses to network, in a number of Name: Stockton organise events and seminars, inter trade, ways and levels, from providing key share best practice, peer group support, coaching advice and information on every aspect of Enterprise Gateway and mentoring, organise and negotiate ‘bulk running a business, including business start-up, USP: Help and support for purchasing’ arrangements, arrange meetings survival, success and growth. starting or growing a business From a new start-up business through to business and lobby and influence. anywhere in Stockton, expansion and development, we can help Cost: membership varies Billingham and Thornaby Cost: Free service Contact: 07947 409 838 Cost: Free Contact: 0191 428 3300 Email: [email protected] Contact: FREEPHONE Email: [email protected] 0300 111 0554 Website: www.sdbn.org.uk Website: www.tedco.org Website: www.gatewaysworkshop.co.uk

Name: North East Name: Darlington and District Chamber of Commerce Business Club Name: Sunderland Business Network USP: NECC say they champion, USP: Membership of the connect and develop member businesses, Darlington and District Business USP: In providing advice, and their people, to win more business, Club offers access to the wider support and networking opportunities Sunderland Business Network offers local become better businesses and enjoy better regional network through Business Clubs North East. With monthly meetings offering you the entrepreneurs additional opportunities to make conditions for business within North East a difference, win new business and prosper in opportunity to network and keep up to date with England and further afield. their chosen field. fellow members and an excellent forum resource Annual Subscription: Ranging from to post inter trade opportunities as well as share Annual Subscription: Dependent on number of £240 - £1800 depending on the size of the best practice. employees, ranging from £60 - £100 organisation. Annual Subscription: £78 per year Contact: 0191 387 1924 Contact: 0191 386 1133 Contact: Jayson Gurney - 01325 352 724 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: www.darlingtonbusinessclub.co.uk Website: www.sunderlandbusinessnetwork.co.uk Website: www.necc.co.uk Website: [email protected]

Federation of Name: Tees Valley Teesside University Business Club Small Business (FSB) Centre for Enterprise USP: Tees Valley Business Club USP: The Federation of Small Businesses is the has been in existence for over 25 years with the USP: The University provides a range of specialist UK's largest campaigning pressure group with aim of furthering the interests of it’s members by business services, including consultancy, student well over 4,000 members here in the North East. providing a welcoming environment in which to and graduate placements, research and We aim to remain the largest and most effective ‘network’ and increase business opportunities, development projects, advice and guidance for organisation promoting and protecting the socialise to share problems and find solutions, to new companies, specialist technical facilities and interests of the self employed and small business owners throughout the UK. air grievances to enable joint action and to accommodation for conferences and meetings, showing a clear commitment to the regeneration Annual Subscription: Ranging from £120 - £870 receive information and help to tackle the depending on size of organisation. Plus £30 increasing burden of regulation which threatens of the Tees Valley area. registration fee. the business health of us all. Tel: 01642 384 580 Contact: David Longstaff on 01609 882 449 Contact: 07831 748 235 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.fsb.org.uk Website: Website: www.teesvalleybc.co.uk www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business

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Pathfinder: The north east’s leading business networks

North East Hartlepool Borough Council Entrepreneurs Forum Skills Academy (NESA) Enterprise Support Team USP: Membership of a group of USP: The NESA helps devise inclusive, growth-orientated and organise innovative activities USP: Providing a wide range of business advice entrepreneurs; providing support, for young people/adults, including and support for new, existing and fledgling stimulation and inspiration in a overnight events and residential stays, master- businesses within the Borough of Hartlepool. non-trading environment to help you classes, subject specific taster days, whole year The support available ranges from grants and and your business succeed. Offers bespoke group visits and more bespoke, designed events. general advice, to help with training, premises events and network dinners and specialist Learning outcomes are designed to vary according and the day to day legalities of running your business and social enterprise activities to each activity and client group to meet the needs business, as well as other key sources of individual learners, businesses and business leaders. of help and guidance. Annual Subscription: £400 plus VAT Contact: Mike Storey Contact: Mick Emerson Contact: 0191 500 7780 Telephone: 0191 5866 010 Telephone: 01429 867 677 or visit Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.investinhartlepool.com Website: www.entrepreneursforum.net Website: nesacademy.org.uk

Business Durham Derwentside The Five Lamps Organisation Business Network USP: Business Durham USP: The Five Lamps are a leading encourages innovation USP: Members are given the charity that transforms the lives of and investment on behalf opportunity to network with local individuals and their families by of Durham County Council. We can help you businesses from around the area at bi monthly helping them to find work, start their own identify suitable sites or premises, local suppliers, member meetings, affording them chance business, improve their finances and also improve recruitment and training support, and sources to share views and interests, keep up to date on the aspirations of young people. Since March 2009 of financial assistance. We are also the driving local and national news and discuss business they have helped over 14,000 people with a force behind NETPark, the North East Technology matters pertinent to their business success. personal loan and debt advice, offering savings Park at Sedgefield, and NETPark Net, the Annual Subscription: £50 - £200 accounts and low-cost loans. online knowledge network. Contact: 0845 094 9717 Cost: Free Cost: FREE service Contact: 01642 608 316 Contact: 03000 261 261 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.derwentsidebusinessnetwork.co.uk Website: www.businessdurham.co.uk Website: www.fivelamps.org.uk

Name: Tyne and Wear Name: Middlesbrough Name: Chinese Development Company Business Forum Business Association USP: Tyne and Wear USP: Supported by USP: China Business Association (CBA) Development Company Middlesbrough Council, help Chinese members set up business links with offers independent advice on the Middlesbrough Business Forum helps inspire local British contacts, whilst at the same time all aspects of expansion or relocation the Teesside business community. The Forum helping British members establish business in Tyne and Wear. holds regular networking events and contacts with Chinese companies. CBA will also Their free and confidential service is available to meetings,inspires the local business provide a forum for increasing awareness of both large and small businesses and we will community to achieve great results, opportunities, for China-UK related business, support you throughout your enquiry, giving you and promote the fact Middlesbrough through publications, meetings, events, one consistent point of support is ‘Open for Business’. sponsorship of trade delegations and presentations on subjects of interest to our members. Cost: FREE Service Cost: FREE service Annual Subscription: £100 per year Contact: 0191 516 9099 Contact: 01642 224 706 Contact: 0191 490 9414 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.cba-online.org.uk Website: www.tyne-wear.co.uk Website: www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Name: Stockton Name: Service Network Business Forum Enterprise Support Team USP: As an integral part USP: The Forum meets of Entrust, membership of quarterly and covers a range of USP: Stockton Council is proactively taking on a Service Network and the complementary services topics relevant to the local leadership and co-ordinating role, working with provided by our parent company, Entrust, offers business community in order to regional and local partners to put measures in companies a unique framework of support. place that may help mitigate some of the effects consult with them and to ask for their of the economic downturn and be prepared for involvement. It welcomes new members from when the economy improves in the future. the business community, both large and small enterprises, throughout the Borough, particularly Annual Subscription: Ranging from £100 - £1,000 Contact: Business Development Team from the industrial and commercial sectors. dependent on size of company Tel: 01642 528 384 Cost: FREE Service Contact: 0191 244 4031 Email: [email protected] Contact: 01642 528 384 Email: [email protected] Website: Email: [email protected] www.stockton.gov.uk/business Website: www.service-network.co.uk Website: www.stockton.gov.uk/business

Name: Entrust Name: Common Purpose Name: Engineering Construction Industry Training Board USP: Entrust provides USP: Common Purpose assistance for individuals offers a wide variety of USP: Provides professional advice, and local businesses through its bespoke services; programmes designed to suit every kind of information, skills development and Financial Solutions, Graduate Business Solutions emerging or existing leader. Their specialist qualifications to help individuals within engineering and Start-up Support. programmes are designed to help you think construction succeed in their chosen careers. These services are provided by top professionals bigger, network more effectively and stand We working closely with industry employers and and experienced business people throughout out as leaders not only within but also our training programmes and Vocational the Region, ensuring high quality services are beyond their organisations. Qualifications guarantee competence in practical maintained. craft and technician and management skills Contact: 0191 244 4000 Cost: Vary dependent on programme needed both on and off site. Contact: Don Atkinson on Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] 01642 777 719 or 07971 438 720 Website: www.entrust.co.uk Website: www.commonpurpose.org.uk Email: [email protected] Website: www.ecitb.org.uk

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Are you interested in East Durham? Why not Join the Aim High Network? STARTING A NEW BUSINESS? Benefits include: sharing of good practice If you are searching for straight-forward marketing advice • Networking and partnerships • Organising joint engagement to launch or grow your business, then informnorth can help. opportunities events and • Information Sharing and the • Partnership opportunities When it comes to great logo designs and branding or eye-catching banner displays, stationary, great leaflets Contact aimhigh for details on: or cost effective posters - then we have the expertise Tel: 0845 362 0212 you need - so DON’T hang around... those who can Call Mark today on 0191 5866 010 TEACH Building on the success of our previous Graduate Teaching Programme, Redcar and Cleveland Teacher the rivergreen centre Training Partnership are pleased to announce that we are now recruiting for two fantastic new programmes; Aykley Heads, Durham School Direct (working in partnership with Sacred Heart RC School, Redcar) and SCITT. serviced offices We would particularly welcome applications for Secondary MATHS, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, www.rivergreen.co.uk D+T and MFL. Places in Primary and Secondary English, History, Drama and PE are also available. Call in to a Computer Learning Centre near you Find out more call: RCTTP Barnard Castle: Newton Aycliffe: Redcar & Cleveland Teacher Training Partnership 01833 696 616 01325 316 558 01642 467 138 Bishop Auckland: Spennymoor: Civic and Learning Centre, 01388 443 000 01388 825 823 Normanby Road, South Bank, Middlesbrough TS6 9AE Crook: Stanhope: 01388 767 285 01388 527 240 DO MORE WITH YOUR BUDGET Darlington & Bishop Auckland College Advertising within informnorth Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland allows you to engage audiences that Durham County County Durham, DL14 6JZ 01388 443 000 www.bishopaucklandcollege.co.uk aren’t reached by traditional media. Racial Equality To find out more call 0191 5866 010 Council or visit informnorth.com and “Challenging Racism in the North East” WhoWho areare Pet&r?Pet&r? download our media pack We provide advice and support for Personnel, Equality, Training & Recruitment individuals, families and community groups, We are an independent HR and Training Consultancy specialising in working in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors. working towards the elimination of racial We offer a diverse range of services and courses, including nationally discrimination and promoting the equality accredited courses, tailored to the needs of the client and delivered of opportunity and good relations between in-house or at suitable external venues. persons of different racial groups.

For a Practical Simplicity Pet&r approach call Lynne today Personnel, Equality, Training & Recruitment Telephone 01325 283 900 today or email ddcrec:care4free.net or visit T: 01642 576 405 E: [email protected] W: www.petandr.co.uk www.darlingtonrec.org.uk Crohns’s and Colitis UK A national charity with local groups offering information Have You Got a & support to people with inflammatory bowl disease, and their family. Great Business Idea? If you need any help and support or you can offer your time to others, please call the The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme crohn’s and colitis UK tees group supports unemployed young people E: [email protected] aged 18-30 to work out if their business T: 0845 130 6843 ideas are viable and whether self W: groups.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk employment is right for them. If you are thinking of starting a new business but unsure about your options, The Prince’s Trust are the experts when “Proud to be at the it comes to self employment and enterprise creation. very ‘heart’ of Every year we help thousands of people just like you to explore and start their every community!” very own businesses. If you have the drive and passion to succeed then we provide the support and knowledge that’s needed. www.asda.co.uk Find out more, call us today on Tel: 0191 497 3210 or visit www.prince’s-trust.org.uk

Inspiring young lives

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With our partners, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) provides strategic leadership on skills and employment issues. We are also the champion and guardian of Investors in People (IIP). Our mission is to work with and through our network of partners to secure a greater commitment to invest in the skills of people to drive, enterprise, jobs and growth. Contact us on 01709 774800 , email [email protected] or visit ukces.org.uk

Sector: Property, Sector: Retail Motor Industry Sector: Playwork Housing, Cleaning Services and Facilities Management Contact: Jon Douglass Contact: Lesli Godfrey Contact: Lisa Lister - Regions Manager(North) National Managerfor England Strategic Lead for Playwork and the Children’s Workforce Tel: 07827 947 524 Tel: 07827 857 764 Tel: 07802 2456 571 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.assetskills.org or visit www.motor.org.uk or visit www.skillsactive.com

Sector: Chemical, Nuclear, Oil Sector: Food and Drink Sector: Adult Social Care and Gas, Petroleum and Polymer Manufacturing and Processing Industries, Life Sciences Contact: Jonathan Cooper Contact: Sally Gretton Contact: Matthew Lowe Skills Consultant for Food & Drink NE Regional Development Manager Nuclear and TAS Marketing Manager Tel: 0845 644 0448 Tel: 07977 907 588 Tel: 01925 515 200 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.improveltd.co.uk or visit www.skillsforcare.org.uk or visit www.cogent-ssc.com

Sector: Construction Sector: Agricutural Sector: Audio visual industries livestock crops, Environmental Contact: Steve Housden Contact: Ruth Palmer and Land-based Industries Northern England Strategy Manager Partnership Manager Contact: Kevin Patrick Tel: 0113 242 1118 Tel: 0300 456 5136 or 07919 394 907 National Industry Partnership Manager [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.cskills.org Tel: 01665 574 973 or [email protected] www.creativeskillset.org or visit www.lantra.co.uk

Sector: Arts, museums, galleries, Sector: Hospitality, Passenger Sector: Workforce of the UK heritage, crafts and design Transport, Travel and Tourism Health Department Contact: Catherine Large, Contact: Tim Lund Joint C.E.O. Contact: Richard Smith Regional Director Tel: 0207 015 1828 Tel: 01895 817 028 or 07876 592 836 Tel: 07771 371 918 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.ccskills.org.uk or visit www.people1st.co.uk or visit www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Sector: Information Technology Sector: Process and and Telecommunications and Manufacturing Industries Contact Centres Sector: Sector Skills Council for Justice, Contact: Anthony Sherlock Contact: Gary Overton Community Safety and Legal Service Northern Regions Manager Contact: Amanda Ryalls, England Regional Partnerships Director of Marketing and Intelligence Tel: 07824 465 538 Tel: 07793 469 685 or [email protected] Tel: 0114 261 5794 [email protected] www.e-skills.com [email protected] or visit www.proskills.co.uk or visit www.skillsforjustice.com

Sector: Electricity, Gas,Water & Sector: Science, Engineering Sector: Freight logistics industry Waste Management Sector and Manufacturing Technologies Contact: Ronnie Stephenson Contact: Dr. Ross Moloney Skills Director - NE and Y&H Contact: Lindsay Middleton Tel: 01908 313 360 Tel: 0773 945 6137 Tel: 01740 627 014 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.skillsforlogistics.org or visit www.euskills.co.uk or visit www.semta.org.uk

Sector: Financial Sector: Active Leisure Sector: Building Skills Partnership and Learning Services Engineering Contact: Paul McCraith Contact: Andrew Roberts-Morris Contact: Bob Blake, Partnership Manager Account Manager Head of Employer Engagement Tel: 07841 235 222 or Tel: 0114 292 2368 Tel: 07834 868 959 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.fssc.org.uk or visit www.skillsactive.com or visit www.summitskills.org.uk

The full list of Sector Skills Councils covering North East England can be found online at informnorth.com/sector_skills.shtml x119035_Inform_p2_ab:x119035_Inform_p2_ab 26/1/13 09:46 Page 71 x119035_Inform_p1_cg:x119035_Inform_p1_cg 24/1/13 15:21 Page 72 get into business Start-up or expand your own business with a support package that’s hard to beat

It’s never been easier to start-up or improve your business ideas in Hartlepool

Tel:Tel: 0142901429 867867 677677

Email: [email protected] www.enerprising-hartlepool.net