A NORTH EAST organisation set up to help those furthest from the job market secure employment has helped over 100 people get into work in its first 12 months.
Bishop Auckland-based Hiyed CIC has helped scores of people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and various other challenges find and secure work since its launch in November.
The organisation is the brainchild of NHS mental health nurse turned social entrepreneur, Tracy Fee, who set up the venture after she was diagnosed as Autistic later in life.
After realising that the disability was likely the cause of several challenges she faced throughout her 30-year career, she set about supporting others facing similar challenges and launched Hiyed in November 2023.
“I was diagnosed with autism late in my career however, I was fortunate in the sense that I had a job I was able to cope really well with.” Tracy said.
“I also had a very supportive family and amazing colleagues, but that still didn’t stop me from having to overcome my fair share of challenges, which proved my real motivator.
“The realisation of just how hard it must be for others made me want to help those who had similar struggles, and do whatever I could to make the workplace more inclusive for all.”
Providing one-to-one, tailored support, Hiyed CIC goes above and beyond to help those in need of support, be it crafting coping strategies, providing training on using public transport or helping its clients complete application forms.
The company has also launched an employer programme to provide disability awareness training to employers across the region and help them understand the benefits of providing inclusive opportunities, and become disability confident.
Major employers from the NHS, Durham County Council, Karbon Homes and Northumbrian Water have tapped into the support, as well as scores of small businesses, resulting in the community interest company creating 20 jobs itself to cope with the growing demand for its services.
“We started out as a team of three and are now a team of 20,” Tracy said. “It’s amazing when I look back over the past 12 months.
“The majority of people we’ve supported were economically inactive, meaning they were not looking or were deemed unable to work, and that is where we’ve had the greatest impact.
“By helping them back into employment, we’re helping to really tackle the labour shortage and provide a huge boost to the regional economy, while at the same time transforming lives.
“Some of the people we’ve worked with for example have struggled with social cues due to their Autism, while others have really struggled to use computers due to their Dyslexia.
“By building their confidence and improving their skills however, we’ve been able to help them onto the career ladder and secure employment that works for both them and their employers.”
Tracy received a grant from the Social Enterprise Durham Boost programme prior to launching the social enterprise and is continuing to receive ongoing support as it continues to grow.
Delivered by the North East BIC, Social Enterprise Durham Boost is one of the pilot initiatives being delivered across England, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to help stimulate social entrepreneurship in target areas.
Michelle Booth, social enterprise boost manager at the BIC, said: “It has been a real honour supporting Tracy with the launch of Hiyed CIC and seeing the organisation go from strength-to-strength.
“In just under a year, she has not only set up her own organisation employing 20 members of staff but has completely transformed the lives of hundreds of people across County Durham.
“She is a real inspiration and is a fantastic example of how social entrepreneurs can deliver real economic and societal change while tackling real world problems.” For more information on the North East BIC, visit: https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/