The routes to Work Pilot provides holistic support from a range of service providers including Tees Active for those individuals who are unemployed or economically inactive aged 30+, across the area, who are deemed to need the most help and support to move back into work.
The aim of this scheme is to increase levels of physical activity to improve motivation and confidence in order to ultimately assist people in getting back into a training and working environment.
Tees Active’s health and fitness brand Activ8 Health & Fitness are providing 100 funded Routes To Health and Fitness passes to people who are struggling to find employment. The funded memberships will give people on the scheme access to all of Activ8’s fitness clubs at Billingham Forum, Stockton Splash and Thornaby Pavilion as well as Thornaby Pool. The memberships will include access to 3 gyms, 3 swimming pools and a wide selection of fitness classes for all fitness levels and abilities.
Tees Active’s Community Engagement Officer Allan McDermott said “ Routes to Health and Fitness is an exciting initiative that will allow some of the most ‘hard to reach individuals ‘ in our community to access free leisure activities. This initiative will hopefully assist in building individuals confidence and improve their physical and mental wellbeing as they work toward being job ready.’
The scheme is aimed at individuals who are aged 30+ or over, who have been unemployed for either 2 years + or 13 weeks if they have experienced barriers towards employment (e.g. homelessness, financial barriers, single parent etc).
Tees Valley Routes to Work Officer Claire said “Routes to Work is a voluntary programme designed in a way we can develop a bespoke package which meets the specific individual’s needs. The individual will have a Keyworker who will support them throughout their journey back into employment. We have introduced Health and Fitness as we believe that by partnering with Tees Active we are maximising the opportunities available to residents across Stockton on Tees which will improve confidence, motivation and wellbeing and therefore enhance life opportunities. It is great to have partnered up with Tees Active in a bid to combat unemployment.”
For more information about the scheme and the specific requirements visit www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/skills-employment.
