Virgin Money Foundation provides a further £47,723 to support young disadvantaged people

To coincide with this, the charity’s chief executive, Hazel McCallion, was a main speaker at an event, held at Virgin Money Foundation offices in Newcastle, to celebrate the anniversary of the first donations made by the fund in 2015, of which TEN received £48,359.

Hazel, one of three guest speakers, outlined how the donation has supported the essential work carried out by the BaseTEN programme for young people, aged 16 to 25, who face barriers to employment and are not in education, a work place or training.

Established in 2015 through the funding from Virgin Money Foundation, BaseTen offers a range of support and advice to help disadvantaged and disengaged young people, addressing their needs, skills, improving their employability and navigating them towards an end goal of sustained employment. During 2016 the target was to work with 80 young people and 90 have been registered, with over 50% obtaining work or an apprenticeship whilst on the programme.  Of these, a half (25% of total casework) has achieved at least 6 months in employment or is on course to reach their target with continued in-work-support if required.

Hazel, said “The £ 47,723 grant we have just received from Virgin Money Foundation follows the very generous £48,359 grant we were awarded in 2015. The ongoing funding and support has been crucial in helping us to continue our vital work and we were very keen to comment on the success we have achieved.

“80% of the young people on BaseTEN have a range of complex needs – mental health, addictions, health issues, debt, low skills and confidence to name a few. The coaching and mentoring we provide to each individual can be delivered over many months or years. A great deal of time and investment goes into navigating our young people into sustainable employment.

“The night was a massive celebration of all the hard work and dedication that so many organisations are doing for the people of the North East with the help of Virgin Money Foundation.

“In all my years working alongside sponsors, I have never known any other organisation to care so much about the charities it helps. Virgin Money Foundation’s support goes beyond that of the funding. It has also introduced initiatives such as bringing unemployed individuals into its work place and showing them what it is like to be in employment in order to build their confidence and raise their aspirations. Virgin Money staff have also volunteered their time and skills to a range of grant recipients.”

Established in 1994, TEN, which is based in South Shields, provides advice, support and assistance to long term unemployed people of all ages within South Tyneside who are looking to build their confidence and skills set as the look to get back to work.

Photo from left to right:  Hazel McCallion, Chief Executive of TEN, Richard Walton – Programme Manager, Virgin Money Foundation, Amy Williams – Programme Support Assistant Virgin Money Foundation, Nancy Doyle – Executive Director Virgin Money Foundation, Rachel Kyle-Barclay – Programme Officer Virgin Money Foundation, Stirling Hood – Young Adult Services Co-ordinator, TEN