Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE)

Although we didn't win at the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Awards 2024, being shortlisted in the categories of Skills for Work for our New Start and Green Start programmes, and Community Outreach for our BOOST programme is a tremendous honour. Being shortlisted alongside some of the biggest organisations in the industry is a real testament to the quality and effectiveness of our programmes. This recognition highlights the incredible collaboration across our partnership, working together to deliver employability and skills initiatives that make a real difference to our residents, tenants, and communities. Congratulations to all the winners! A big thank you to our partners believe housing Bernicia Group Beyond Housing UK Gentoo Group Home Group Karbon Homes Livin Housing North Star Housing Group, Newcastle City Council Oasis Community Housing Thirteen Group Tyne Housing and our partnership with North Tyneside Council's Employment and Skills Service. Your contributions have been invaluable in achieving this milestone.

We are excited to announce that our Operations Group Chair, Karen Kenmare, Head of Business Growth at Thirteen Group, has joined the Board of Communities that Work . This is a fantastic opportunity not only for Karen but also for our region, as she will continue to highlight the vital role social housing providers play in delivering employability support. Her presence on the board aligns perfectly with the Communities that Work agenda, amplifying our shared commitment to creating jobs and opportunities within our communities. Karen will be joining Suzanne Jobson from Karbon Homes, another valued member of our Operations Group, on the board. Having two HENNE partners represented is a powerful voice for the North East. We look forward to the insights and contributions that Karen will bring.

Great to see HENNE partners, North Star Housing Group and Thirteen Group, coming together to share best practices and explore new ways to engage with residents, tenants, and the wider community in accessing the Tees Valley Move Forward programme. Sessions like this demonstrate the collaborative spirit of the HENNE partnership, with partners actively engaging to share ideas and challenges. Together, we ensure that we continue to reach deep into our communities to support those who need it.

It was fantastic to meet with the Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, at the North East Housing Partnership board meeting. HENNE was highlighted as a prime example of the collaborative partnerships currently thriving in the social housing sector, thanks to our dedicated partners, Home Group Thirteen Group Oasis Community Housing @northstar believe housing Bernicia Group Tyne Housing Beyond Housing UK Newcastle City Council Gentoo Group Livin Housing Karbon Homes As HENNE leads the Employability and Social Inclusion strand of the NEHP, under the guidance of our chair, Steve McKinlay, we are committed to enhancing employability and supporting our communities. Our whole house and engagement approach not only addresses the diverse needs of families but also plays a crucial role in reducing poverty. By breaking down barriers to employment, we empower individuals and families to achieve financial stability and improve their overall well-being. With greater devolution of funding on the horizon, including a single integrated settlement for the North East in 2026/27, it’s crucial for us to unite and prepare for the future. Today’s discussions highlighted our ongoing collaborations and the potential for even more impactful partnerships.

It was fantastic to bring together our HENNE partners Thirteen Group Livin Housing believe housing Tyne Housing Newcastle City Council Karbon Homes Beyond Housing UK Gentoo Group Bernicia Group @northstarhg Home Group Oasis Community Housing yesterday for a full-day workshop focused on our UKSPF delivery. The day was inspiring, filled with collaboration, innovative ideas, and strategic discussions. What stood out was our unique ability as housing providers to leverage our position as anchor institutions, fostering trusted relationships with our tenants, residents, and the wider community. These relationships form the foundation of our programme’s success, enabling high levels of engagement and ensuring that individuals remain connected to our support. We take pride in supporting them on their journey, and even after they achieve their programme goals, we will continue to support them in our role as landlord and as a community anchor. This commitment allows us to connect with thousands of people across the region through various engagement methods, from sewing groups to targeted social media activities. It was great to hear some wonderful stories from front-line staff about the people we’ve supported through our UKSPF-funded programmes, which include BOOST, New Start, and TVCA Move Forward. A highlight was learning more about our whole house approach, which has enabled us to support multiple individuals within one household, addressing their various barriers, including health and financial challenges. By leveraging our unique position as a trusted landlord, we engaged with individuals in their homes, working holistically with our teams to provide a range of tailored interventions. This approach has helped move these individuals to a place where they feel happier, healthier, and more confident about looking for and securing employment. A big thank you to all the partners for their energy and passion, which sparked some great ideas on how we can improve our current programmes to support even more tenants, residents, and those in our communities. Looking forward to implementing our plans and continuing to make a real difference in our communities.

Great to see our partner believe housing taking on one of their customers in an admin role via our New Start programme. Participants have benefited from the programme’s comprehensive support structure, which includes continuous one-to-one support, opportunities to gain qualifications, and progression. This approach has not only helped individuals gain employment but also ensures they have the skills and confidence to sustain their roles and advance in their careers. Good luck, Emma!

On Monday, several of our partners, believe housing, Gentoo Group, and Karbon Homes attended the inaugural conference of the The Institute for Economic and Social Inclusion. We were delighted to be represented on a panel by Rachel Edmunds alongside other regional thought leaders. The panel explored how we can create pathways to employment, reduce poverty, and foster innovation for a sustainable and inclusive economy. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of making social inclusion a shared responsibility, the crucial role of communities and individuals with lived experience, and our commitment to valuing and embracing these contributions. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continued collaboration.

We're thrilled to announce that we have been selected as finalists for two ERSA Awards in the categories of Skills for Work for our New Start and Green Start programmes, and Community Outreach for our BOOST programme! This recognition is a testament to the incredible collaboration across our partnership, working together to deliver programmes that make a real impact on our residents, tenants, and communities. The ERSA Awards 2024 celebrate outstanding achievements and innovation in the employability sector, and we are honoured to be among the finalists. Thank you to our partners believe housing Bernicia Group Beyond Housing UK Gentoo Group Home Group Karbon Homes Livin Housing North Star Housing Group Newcastle City Council Oasis Community Housing Thirteen Group Tyne Housing and our partnership with North Tyneside Council's Employment and Skills Service who have all contributed to our success and helped us achieve this milestone.

At HENNE, we’re thrilled to witness the positive changes our BOOST programme is making in the lives of North Tyneside Council residents. Our tailored support is designed to meet individuals’ unique needs and help them achieve their ambitions. BOOST is a collaborative effort made possible through HENNE partners Newcastle City Council, Bernicia Group, Home Group, Karbon Homes, Tyne Housing, and our partnership with North Tyneside Council. North Tyneside Council is utilising their Work Well hubs in North Shields and Wallsend to deliver place-based, local support. These hubs make the programme easily accessible for residents, ensuring they can conveniently access the support they need within their own community. One of the participants shared how the BOOST programme has brought her newfound confidence and motivation, which is exactly what BOOST is about. She said: “I’m excited and nervous about starting my course because, for the first time in a long time, I’m doing something for myself. I want to work in construction or demolition to prove what I’m capable of. Meeting Lauren gave me the motivation to do something with myself, and I’m really grateful for the help.” Together, we are making a difference!

We’re thrilled to spotlight the fantastic teamwork between HENNE partners, Thirteen Group's Jake Steel, and North Star Housing Group's Peter Locke, as they engage with housing officers about the Tees Valley Move Forward initiative. This collaboration focused on providing comprehensive information about the Tees Valley Move Forward programme. By equipping housing officers with the necessary knowledge and tools, we aim to support them in better connecting with tenants and the wider community. This engagement is crucial in encouraging more individuals to access this transformative programme.