Solid Foundations leaves strong legacy for Northumberland residents
12th May 2026
Solid Foundations, a transformative partnership programme supporting unemployed residents across Northumberland, has come to a successful close after delivering significant and lasting outcomes for people facing barriers to employment, skills development and wellbeing.
Community Action Northumberland played a central role in the partnership, working alongside Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre, Citizens Advice Northumberland, Cygnus Support, Northern Learning Trust and Northumberland Community and Voluntary Action. Together, the organisations brought specialist knowledge and local insight to provide coordinated, person-centred support across the county.
Through Community Action Northumberland’s delivery of local engagement and rural outreach activity, the programme ensured support reached people in some of Northumberland’s most dispersed communities, helping reduce isolation and improve access to opportunities.
Across the 2023–2025 and 2025–2026 programme periods, Solid Foundations engaged 324 participants. The approach focused on combining practical employment support with wellbeing, financial guidance and community connection, ensuring people were supported as individuals rather than simply as jobseekers.
Key outcomes achieved through the programme
- Building skills and confidence: 222 participants received employability support and 167 were supported to improve interpersonal skills, with 181 making significant progress.
- Progress into learning: 108 people moved into education or training and 38 achieved formal qualifications or completed accredited courses.
- Financial inclusion: 158 individuals were supported with benefits and financial advice, with 134 successfully securing entitlements.
- Moving closer to work: 222 participants were supported on their journey towards employment, with 36 securing jobs or self-employment.
- Improved wellbeing and community engagement: 209 people accessed wellbeing support and 119 were supported into volunteering or community groups.
A strong emphasis was placed on wellbeing throughout the programme, with Community Action Northumberland helping participants address challenges such as confidence, isolation and mental health alongside practical employment barriers. This holistic approach helped people build resilience and reconnect with their communities.
The impact of the programme is reflected in participant experiences, from individuals rebuilding confidence after long periods out of work to others progressing into training, education or starting their own businesses. In total, 324 people were supported to overcome barriers and move closer to their personal goals.
Project Manager Kay Harrington-Kemper said:
“Solid Foundations was designed to be more than just a job-search service. We looked at the whole person. Whether it was helping someone manage anxiety, secure the benefits they were entitled to or gain a new qualification, our goal was to provide a solid foundation for a better future. The figures speak for themselves, but the real legacy is the 324 lives that are now on a more positive footing.”
Community Action Northumberland’s role in the partnership helped ensure that support was delivered locally, flexibly and in response to individual need, strengthening connections between services and communities across the county.
While the Solid Foundations programme has now concluded, Community Action Northumberland continues to deliver support through its Northumberland Rural Employment Hubs, which remain active across the county. The hubs provide accessible, community-based employment support including CV development, job searching, applications, skills building and confidence support, alongside signposting to training and wider opportunities.
Employment Hub venues and opening times:
Alnwick
Every Friday from 9.30am - 12.00pm at the Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick NE66 1PQ. Full details
Amble
Every Thursday, 9.30am - 12.00pm at Amble Youth Project, Dilston Terrace Amble. Full details.
Haltwhistle
Every Thursday, 9.30am - 12.00pm at Haltwhistle Community Hub (above Haltwhistle Library). Full details
Hexham
Every Wednesday, 9.30am - 12.00pm at The Torch Centre, Corbridge Road, Hexham NE46 1QS Full details
Morpeth
Every Wednesday, 9.30am -12.00pm at Vision Northumberland (formerly County Blind Association), Reiver House Staithes Lane, Morpeth. Full details
Prudhoe
Every Friday from 9.30am -12.00pm at the Spetchells Centre. Full details
Find more information about the Northumberland Rural Employment Hubs HERE or contact Julia Plinston at 01670 517178 or via info@ca-north.org.uk.