Employability Pathways

The Employability team works with partners across Skills, Health and Work services to support residents towards employment, training and progression opportunities. 

Key areas of work include the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, developing integrated Skills, Health and Work pathways, and sharing commissioning and funding opportunities across partner organisations.

Through collaborative working and innovative approaches, the team helps improve access to support, strengthen partnership working and create positive outcomes for individuals, communities and the local economy. 

The projects below are designed to support people who are currently outside of work, education or training and provide tailored support to help participants build skills, confidence and independence.

REACT Sunderland – Personalised Support to Help You Move Forward: Free, personalised one-to-one support for people who are currently out of work and want to improve their confidence, wellbeing, skills, or future opportunities. With the support of a dedicated Employment and Skills Mentor, you’ll receive tailored guidance to help you overcome barriers such as poor health, financial worries, low confidence, or digital exclusion. Delivered in welcoming community hubs across Washington and Downhill, the programme can support you with wellbeing, budgeting, digital skills, volunteering, and employability, helping you take positive steps towards a brighter future at a pace that works for you.

For more information, contact: Community Opportunities Caroline or Helen  / carolinedryden@communityopportunities.co.uk or helenharrison@communityopportunities.co.uk / 0191 5373231

Your Next Step: Community Employability Navigator: Free, personalised support to help Sunderland residents overcome barriers and move towards learning, training, volunteering, or employment. Working with a dedicated Employability Navigator, you’ll receive one-to-one guidance tailored to your individual circumstances, helping you build confidence, develop new skills, and access the services and opportunities that are right for you. Delivered in trusted community locations across Sunderland, the programme offers ongoing support with everything from wellbeing and digital skills to job searching and life challenges, helping you take positive steps forward and achieve your goals with confidence.

For more information, contact: Uplift Associates Contact@upliftassociates.co.uk / 0191 500 1233

Fix, Reuse and Progress Sunderland: A free programme designed to help Sunderland residents build confidence, develop new skills and move closer to employment. Through hands-on repair and refurbishment activities, participants can gain practical experience, improve their digital skills, and receive tailored one-to-one support from a dedicated keyworker. Whether you’re looking to return to learning, overcome personal barriers, meet new people, or take your first steps towards work, this supportive and welcoming programme can help you progress towards your goals.

For more information, contact: BornGood Simon Burdus  / cic@borngood.co.uk / 0191 249 3869

Rewriting My Story: A free programme that helps Sunderland residents build confidence, develop new skills, and take positive steps towards their future. Designed for people who are out of work and facing challenges such as poor health, caring responsibilities, low confidence, or social isolation, the programme offers practical training, one-to-one mentoring, and personalised support in a welcoming environment. Through hands-on learning, recognised qualifications, peer support, and opportunities to connect with employers and community partners, participants can discover their strengths, improve their wellbeing, and work towards volunteering, further learning, or employment at a pace that suits them.

For more information, contact: Three13 Colin Fozzard  / colin.fozzard@three13.co.uk / 0191 500 3345 or 07359 264837

• employability@sunderland.gov.uk