Changing Lives

The Get Britain Working White Paper, recently presented by the government, aims to address falling employment rates, focusing on reducing long-term economic inactivity 💼 We welcome regionally-focused employment support initiatives and plans to address barriers such as ill health, mental health, and housing introduced in the paper. But existing systemic issues, such as how employment affects housing benefits and acts as a barrier to those seeking employment, are still a barrier. Addressing existing issues could make real change, and help many achieve meaningful work. Read our full response ⬇️

Support Young People to Thrive by Choosing Us as Your Co-op Local Cause 💜 We’re excited about the opportunity to receive a grant that will help us continue our vital work with young people in supported accommodation. 🔗 If you’re already a Co-op member, you can vote for us now via their website or app: https://lnkd.in/eFf5GQv9 Not a member yet? Join today for just £1 (which you can then redeem in store!) and gain access to exclusive deals and discounts when shopping at the Co-op. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/grN6RwN Your support means everything! Share this with your friends, family, and colleagues, and help us: ✨ Run financial management workshops ✨ Deliver employment training sessions, including CV writing, applications, and interview prep ✨ Host cookery classes ✨ Provide counselling sessions to help young people overcome trauma Together, we can make a real difference 🤝

Our projects have been busy raising awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls in the local community during #WhiteRibbonDay and the #16DaysofActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence ✊ Some of our Changing Lives staff teams, including Women’s Criminal Justice Teams from Northumbria, Cleveland and Custody, Probation, EPOP’s and National Trust came together at Newcastle United Foundation for a Walking Football Tournament 🚶⚽ We originally held a tournament was held in 2022 which resulted in Changing Lives reigning victorious with the White Ribbon Cup. However, that win came to an end on Monday 25th November, with the first Probation Team taking the crown! 🏆 A huge amount of fun was had by all, but the day was ultimately about the teams coming together to support the eradication of violence against women and girls. As part of this year’s theme #ItStartsWithMen, each team included at least one male player to pledge their commitment to championing equality, and calling out attitudes which contribute to #VAWG. #IDEVAWG #IDEVAWG2024 #WhiteRibbonDay #16DaysofActivism #16DaysOfAction

Christmas should never be a time of loneliness 💔 Help us support those experiencing homelessness, ensuring nobody feels forgotten and alone.  No one grows up dreaming of being homeless, and we're here to help those who are struggling to achieve their dream and help move on to the next chapter of their lives 📖 DONATE HERE ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eX9Qgr  #EndHomelessness #NotMyDream #DonateNow #Homeless

We're still reeling after receiving our Princess Royal Training Award last week 🥹 Our team had the honour of attending a ceremony at Goldsmiths' Hall, where we received the Award from HRH The Princess Royal and City & Guilds 💜 This award celebrates our Leading With Purpose training program, designed to support our managers to lead their teams. It’s recognition that we're proud of, reflecting our commitment to placing people at the heart of everything we do, ensuring we’re equipped to provide the best possible support to those who need our services 🤝

URGENT APPEAL 🚨  Imagine spending Christmas feeling cold, alone, and hungry.  Unfortunately, this is the sad reality for many people across the country.   But YOU can make a life changing difference today.  We work with people to understand their strengths and provide them with opportunities for a positive future. Beyond just a place to rest, our supported accommodations are a place of safety and security - We provide assistance with finding permanent housing, helping people transition from temporary shelter to a stable, sustainable home. With your help we can reach as many people as possible 🤝   DONATE NOW ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eX9Qgr  #EndHomelessness #NotMyDream #DonateNow #Homeless

At our Halton Homeless Services, we're very happy to announce that we were awarded a Bronze award for a Healthy Workplace 🙌🏆 Organised by the Halton Borough Council Health Improvement Team, the event celebrated the success of the first eight workplaces to achieve their award and demonstrate how the Healthy Workplace scheme can support the health and wellbeing of local people. The awards were presented by Councillor Marie Wright, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Halton Borough Council. In completing the framework, we've committed to ensuring our staff wellbeing and mental health is a priority above all. Our staff are currently having detailed health checks with a qualified health training via HBC's Health Improvement Team. The team also got the chance to network with other organisations who offer training and support for staff around looking after their own mental health 🧠

On #WhiteRibbonDay, and every day, we are united in our commitment to ending violence against women and girls. At Changing Lives, we work every day to create a future where everyone is safe, respected, and valued - free from fear or harm. This year’s theme #ItStartsWithMen emphasises the importance of education, accountability, and action. It asks men to reflect on their attitudes, behaviours, and the influence they have on others - to actively be part of the solution. Many of our projects will be marking #WRD2024 by raising awareness of the Violence Against Women & Girls ✊ 💥Our NIDAS and Sanctum teams joined Jet's White Ribbon Day stall in Newcastle to raise awareness of the services we provide for victim-survivors of domestic abuse 💥Our IRIS Team are taking part in numerous events over the next few weeks to raise awareness of White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence #OrangeWolves 💥 Our Northumbria Criminal Justice team are taking part in a tournament of Walking Football in collaboration with NU Foundation, National Probation Services, National Trust, Recovery Church and NHS CNTW #VAWG #EndVAWG #IDEVAWG #IDEVAWG2024 #WhiteRibbonDay2024

We had an incredible day at the Princess Royal Training Awards Ceremony yesterday 🏆💜 Our colleagues attended a ceremony to receive our Princess Royal Training Award from HRH The Princess Royal herself and City & Guilds at Goldsmiths' Hall. The award recognises our Leading With Purpose training programme that our managerial colleagues undertake. The award shows that we put our people at the heart of what we do, so that ultimately we can best support those who access our services. We'd like to thank once again Jennifer Flint, Tracey Watson and Lorna Jeromson for their support in the delivery of the programme 🤝

This week has been #SafeguardingAdultsWeek, with a theme of working in partnership 🤝 We've marked the occasion with informative sessions for our colleagues on key safeguarding topics including: ✨ Professional Curiosity by Dr Ray Middleton ✨ Adult Sexual Exploitation and Co-Production hosted by ASE Partnership Co-ordinator Jess Trotter ✨ Safe Culture, co-hosted by Durham CC Adult Social Care Commissioners and our Project Lead Stephen Lugg ✨ Serious and Untoward Incidents, with our Development Director Kelly Cunningham and Quality and Impact Lead Sommer Stringer ✨ Understanding Adult Exploitation, Hosted by our VAWG Lead Sarah It's been a week full of learning, sharing best practice across our services, and reflecting how we can best work in partnership with other agencies, and between our own services, to best support people facing multiple disadvantage.