achieving change through enterprising solutions

Carol Kerr

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.
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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

Apprentices careers branch-off

An environmental project is acting as a stepping stone to employment for many young people in Middlesbrough. Over the past two years One Planet Pioneers has engaged with over 1000 young people through apprenticeships, work experience, career workshops and volunteering activities.… Read the rest

Actes named finalist for ERSA Employability Award

Middlesbrough based charity Actes has been shortlisted as a finalist for the ERSA Employability Awards 2018 in the Youth Employment category, sponsored by entitledto.

Now in its sixth year, the ERSA Employability Awards celebrate best practice across the employment support sector and seek to demonstrate the day-to-day hard work and dedication of those working to improve the lives of jobseekers, communities and the wider workforce. 

Actes has supported 8424 people into positive destinations, including employment, over the past three years.  The organisation has been nominated for the Youth Employment award which recognises its work with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) through the Big Lottery Funded Talent Match Middlesbrough project and innovative spin-off projects that have been designed to help young people lead a better quality of life.… Read the rest

Help Actes secure funds for Your Money

Actes is delighted to have been shortlisted by the Nat West Skills & Opportunities Fund for the Your Money project, which will deliver money management advice and training to help 16 to 24- year-olds in Tees Valley that will enable them to manage their finances more effectively, thereby improving their quality of life.… Read the rest

Community art project gains momentum

A COMMUNITY art project that will become a centrepiece at a popular nature reserve has stepped up a notch following a creative workshop attended by Middlesbrough young people.

One Planet Pioneers hosted the workshop for 14- to 21-year-olds during half-term, alongside local artist Sara Calgie from The Start Studio and staff and students from Unity City Academy.… Read the rest

Actes customers are satisfied customers

Actes’ customers have been impressed by the service they received while using the organisation’s facilities and engaging on its projects; according to the findings of the latest customer satisfaction survey.

In 2017, the results from Actes’ customer survey saw over 98% of people rate the overall service they received from the organisation as Very Good or Good.… Read the rest