achieving change through enterprising solutions

Yearly Archives: 2018

Meet the Team – Anne Davies, Head of Finance

Actes’ Head of Finance Anne Davies has come a long way since embarking on a Business Admin YTS almost 20-years ago.  With an overall responsibility for the charity’s financial health, Anne combines both an operational and strategic role, managing the accounting and financial control functions for the organisation as well as shaping its financial strategy to ensure long-term growth.… Read the rest

IT is no barrier to employment for Darren

Forty-nine-year-old Darren Hinson from North Ormesby is a step closer to securing employment after embarking on Actes’ IT and employability course, Work IT Out.

Darren found himself out of work this summer after spending 11 years as a kitchen porter at Marton Country Club before the venue’s closure, followed by a more recent spell as a porter at a Middlesbrough restaurant.  Having admitted to never switching on a computer in his life, Darren’s Job Coach at Middlesbrough Job Centre suggested he enrol on Work IT Out to get to grips with IT to enable him to search for jobs online.… Read the rest

IT Course Works Out for Patrick

Forty-eight-year-old Patrick Sheehy from Middlesbrough is a prime example of how Actes’ IT and employability course Work IT Out is helping people to improve their confidence and be better prepared to navigate Universal Credit.

Patrick had engaged with the Jobcentre for many years and had struggled to attend the various courses he’d been referred on to due to confidence issues and an inbuilt fear of IT.  However, after completing Work IT Out, Patrick has not only displayed improved confidence in using a computer, but a more positive and enthusiastic attitude towards learning.… Read the rest

Shannon comes full-circle with One Planet Pioneers

When 18-year-old Shannon Grayston relocated to Middlesbrough from North Yorkshire two years ago she had no qualifications and wasn’t sure which path to take. However, she is now engaging local young people in environmental activities after completing her Level One in peer mentoring through One Planet Pioneers, delivered by Actes.… Read the rest

Richard Yuille is named Prince’s Trust Rising Star

A former Actes client and employee has received the North East Local Enterprise Partnership Rising Star Award at The Prince’s Trust Awards in the North East, after overcoming substantial personal obstacles to gain employment.

Twenty-six-year-old Richard Yuille from Middlesbrough received the award at a special celebration on 3rd October at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead after embarking on the Prince’s Trust’s Talent Match Middlesbrough programme, delivered by Actes.… Read the rest

Actes secures funds to host Dementia Friendly screenings

Middlesbrough charity Actes has further demonstrated its commitment to local people living with dementia, after securing funding to host five Dementia Friendly film screenings over the coming year.

The Tees Valley Community Foundation has awarded funding to Actes to cover the cost of hosting the events at its Acklam Green Centre facility, following the success of two pilot screenings in the centre’s Roseberry Hall earlier this year, which were delivered in partnership with Cleveland Alzheimers Residential Centre Limited (Cleverarc) who are lead for Dementia Friendly Middlesbrough project.… Read the rest

One Planet Pioneers’ free summer activities

A Middlesbrough environmental project has lined up a packed schedule of summer events to encourage young people to sample eco-friendly activities during the school holidays.

One Planet Pioneers is a collaboration between Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC), Actes Trust and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, which aims to develop the skills of young people through environmental projects.  The project is inviting young people from Middlesbrough aged 11-years and above to get involved in a range of taster activities taking place throughout August. 

The varied programme comprises of the following free activities which are available to book onto on a first come, first served basis:

  • Tees Barrage Festival, Make & Take craft with River Tees Rediscovered – Monday 06 August, 11am – 3pm at The Tees Barrage, River Tees, Stockton-on-Tees.
Read the rest

100 into work milestone marks Employability Day

Today 29 June is UK Employability Day, a day of celebration for organisations helping jobseekers to progress in work. Coordinated by the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), hundreds of employment support centres and employers are raising awareness about what they do to help people into work.… Read the rest

Achievements recognised at Actes’ staff update

The Actes team came together for the organisation’s summer meeting yesterday to hear an update on the business and enjoy an awards presentation.

Over 40 employees from Actes’ delivery projects, facilities team and head office attended the annual event which took place in the Resource Centre’s Ford Hall.  They heard an update from the chief executive and other representatives from the senior management team about the impact the charity is having in helping people with employment support, financial management and in overcoming barriers to improve their lives.  The event also included an update on Actes’ two facilities, the Acklam Green Centre and Resource Centre which continue to attract a growing number of customers from the business community as well as members of the public.… Read the rest

Meet the Team – Bernie Spark, Work IT Out Tutor

Actes’ Bernie Spark is a prime example of how volunteering can open the doors to employment, after securing a full-time tutoring role following nine years away from the workplace.

The thirty-six-year-old former retail supervisor relocated to Middlesbrough from North Yorkshire two years ago with her four children, now aged between four and 18, and at the time was acting as a full-time carer for her eldest son.  When her youngest daughter went into full-time school she realised it was the right time to do something for herself and stop being benefit dependent. 

Bernie says: “This was the perfect opportunity to start prioritising my own needs, break the cycle of being reliant on benefits and set an example to my children.… Read the rest