Action Towards Inclusion
Partnership
Closed for new partnersParticipants
Open for participantsLocation
York, North Yorkshire and East RidingAudience
Unemployed and econonimcally inactive participantsDeadline
Ongoing
What is Action Towards Inclusion?
As an employability programme, ATI provides hundreds of fantastic outcomes for its participants: employment, training and job searching.
Better Connect lead on ATI to help and fund our partners and participants to achieve these targets, but also to promote key social goals for participants including improved mental health and financial wellbeing.
Our mission is building a happier and more inclusive Yorkshire.
Our mission is building a happier and more inclusive Yorkshire.
Funding
Action Towards Inclusion is part of the National programme Building Better Opportunities which is funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.
About Action Towards Inclusion
Action Towards Inclusion supports people throughout York, North Yorkshire and East Riding.
The project is delivered through a partnership of skilled keyworkers and intervention partners who work for organisations in the voluntary and community sector.
Action Towards Inclusion is for adults* who are not working and would love support in getting ready for work or training in the future. It offers support to those who are the furthest from the labour market due to barriers such as mental health issues, debt and lacking qualifications.
We make sure all participants have the best match based on where they live and their specific needs and are ‘linked up’ with a local keyworker.
The keyworker will meet regularly with a participant getting to understand them and their personal background.
Action Towards Inclusion has supported over 2000 participants and got over 1000 of them into jobs, training or job seeking. The project has just been extended to run until 2023.
Support includes:
- Money: Creating an action plan based on barriers, needs and aspirations. Help with benefits issues. Working out what job or course they most want. Professional debt advice. Learning how to run a business. Funding essential work/training costs like interview clothes.
- Wellbeing: Check-ins with mental health and wellbeing. Counselling and other therapies. Wellbeing activities like creative arts.
- Learning: Training in Maths, English & IT. Many other funded courses – everything from hair & beauty to door security.
- Support: Regular meetings with their keyworker. Getting to know them and ensuring the project fits their needs and desires. Motivating them so nothing stands in the way of success.
*We can work with some young people under 18 depending on their schooling situation. Please get in touch with us first to check if this applies.
Our mission is building a happier and more inclusive Yorkshire.
News and Case Studies
Fanta’s Story
Action Towards Inclusion
Today we meet Fanta, who is originally from Gambia and has lived in York now for three years. Fanta accessed the Action Towards Inclusion programme due to experiencing housing issues whilst she was pregnant with her daughter and received keyworker support from Liz at the Opportunity Centre. Fanta has received support with housing, education,
Cleaning Up The Beach
Action Towards Inclusion
Laughter, waves, singing, birds… Just some of the sounds of a Scarborough beach clean. The Opportunity Centre (previously Aspire Igen) is a Yorkshire based social enterprise committed to changing lives for the better through learning and work. On ATI, they work across Scarborough, York and Ryedale to support lone parents. They give them 1-1
Carrie’s Story
Action Towards Inclusion
Carrie is a recent participant on Action Towards Inclusion – a dynamic programme across York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding supporting people into work, training and volunteering. Carrie faced a number of challenges but has made fantastic progress through taking part in the programme. Action Towards Inclusion is funded by the European Social
Mick’s Story
Action Towards Inclusion
Mick is a recent participant on Action Towards Inclusion – a dynamic programme across York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding supporting people into work, training and volunteering. He has wide ranging work experience and Action Towards Inclusion has helped him increase his confidence, IT skills and move on in his life. Action Towards Inclusion
Making Moves, The Opportunity Centre, Scarborough
Action Towards Inclusion
Making Moves features the work of Jeni Golder and the Opportunity Centre in Scarborough. Action Towards Inclusion participants have been benefiting from yoga outside – helping build confidence.
The Team
Alex Kelley
Head of Programmes
01423 795309 or ext 2001[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion ESF Community Grants Kickstart Thriving at Work
About Alex
Alex is the Head of Programmes at Better Connect, overseeing the amazing programmes that we manage within the team. Leading and supporting the Programmes Team, Alex’s role has a strong focus on development. This includes developing staff, systems, processes and relationships with delivery partners, funders and stakeholders. All to ensure that Better Connect programmes are successful, achieve their aims and ultimately transform people’s lives. Alex is also part of the Senior Management Team contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the company. The best bit of his job is seeing the life-changing impact that programmes have on staff and participants.
“We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them.”
— Kahlil Gibran
The Official Bit
Alex has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management and a PTLLS teaching qualification.
Alex began his career in customer service, moved to work in banking and then joined Better Connect following University in 2012. He felt a strong connection to the values and work within the community sector and has developed his career within the organisation, progressing from an Assistant to his current role as Head of Programmes. Along the way, Alex has worked across almost every aspect of the company.
For Alex, the most important part of work is feeling as though it is meaningful and that it is making a positive difference to society.
Fun Fact
Becomes overly competitive when playing sport or games
Piece of Advice
Count your blessings, every day.
Charles Dzvairo
Finance Coordinator
01423 795302 or ext 2006[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Charles
Charles is the Finance Coordinator of Better Connect, to that effect, he gets involved in the different Financial aspects of the Business. This includes Project Finance on Action Towards Inclusion. Working with different Partners and Clients is what makes this role exciting, forging new business relationships.
The Official Bit
Charles has a BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance, MSc in Financial Accounting and Management and currently holds a Part Qualified Status with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Charles’ career has mainly been in Acounting & Finance as well as Financial Services and Banking. He Joined Better Connect in 2018 since then he has been involved in the Financial aspects of ATI.
Piece of Advice
Listen more and talk less
Favourite Place
Hongdae in Seoul, South Korea
Favourite Book
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Christine Brass
Participant Experience Manager
01423 795306 or ext 2014[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion
About Christine
Christine’s role as the Participant Experience Manager, is to lead on all aspects of participant experience for the Action Towards Inclusion (ATI) project. Her core role is to develop a thorough understanding of the experience of participants accessing the ATI Programme through examining current data collected and creating new participant engagement activities. Her aim is to improve ATI delivery and influence the design of new programmes through the information gathered. Her work involves working with our partners, to ensure all evidence and records collected for participants on the project, is fully compliant with all relevant funding guidance.
“What worries you, masters you - John Locke”
The Official Bit
Christine has worked for many years for the Financial Sector in Customer Services and Marketing. She has gained many years of experience in people management and leadership together with strong administrative and office management skills.
Her qualifications are life skills, and she can be relied upon to listen, understand and support. She has excellent focus and attention to detail and strives to get things right first time every time.
She joined Better Connect in 2020, when she was at a crossroads and realised that working in the voluntary and community sector would be more meaningful and rewarding than being driven by profit. Working for and with people who value people and who operate inclusively without discrimination is a reward every day.
Fun Fact
I’m a mean painter and decorator
Piece of Advice
Don’t stress over things you cannot control, it’s a waste of your precious energy
Favourite Place
The Pembrokeshire Coast – beautifully unspoilt
Helen Weatherill
Finance Coordinator
01423 795315 or ext 2011[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Helen
Helen is part of the Finance & Audit Team within Better Connect, this means she works within a small team to check and verify financial claims from our various partners ensuring they receive the correct funding for the brilliant work they do within the community. The best bit of her job is the satisfaction she gets if things don’t balance, and she works out why and of course her fabulous work colleagues. Couldn’t ask for better!
“Live Every Moment, Laugh Every Day, Love Beyond Words”
The Official Bit
Helen left school at 16 and started work as an office junior in a local solicitor in Harrogate. Helen has worked in an office environment since then doing various different roles. Helen took a short career break whilst bringing up her two children. On returning to work fulltime Helen moved into HR and obtained her CIPD qualification and continued to work in HR and payroll at a local school for 15 years. Helen has been with Better Connect for 2 years now and is currently working as part of the Finance and Audit team. Helen is hoping to work towards obtaining some qualifications in this field in the near future.
Fun Fact
Helen is learning to Tap Dance!
What Are You Scared of
Spiders!
Jacky Wendon
Finance and Audit Co-ordinator
01423 795307 or ext 2015[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Jacky
Jacky is a Finance and Audit Co-ordinator for Better Connect. She started in November 2020 and is responsible for checking financial claims and undertaking Audit work.
Jacky really enjoys Audit work and likes to think she has an eye for detail! She also feels lucky to be part of a team where people are valued and listened to. Better Connect is a supportive and welcoming environment and everyone is so friendly.
The Official Bit
Jacky has a background in the Commercial and Financial industry in an Analytical capacity. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in Analyst roles, where she has done a mixture of Business Support and Development, Audits, Finance and Systems support.
She was looking for a role that would make the most of her Analytical skills at a company where she truly believed in their values, here at Better Connect, Jacky feels that she is able to use the skills she has gained to thrive in her role.
Jacky really enjoys being part of an amazing team in an organization who really care and help make a difference to people’s lives.
Fun Fact
I love older music, particularly 60s Music!
Piece of Advice
It’s nice to be nice, so treat people how you would like to be treated.
Favourite Place
Madeira – It’s so beautiful, dramatic and inspiring
Joe McKenzie
Programme Manager (ATI)
01423 795319 or ext 2012[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion
About Joe
Joe is one of the programme managers on Action Towards Inclusion. His role involves managing the performance of the programme to meet its targets. He most of all loves helping to motivate, challenge and support the programme partners so they can do their incredible work with their participants.
The Official Bit
Joe has a BA in Philosophy. He is also mental health first aid trained.
Previously Joe has worked in a Leeds school as a literacy tutor and then briefly at an insurance firm as an administrative assistant. He then joined Better Connect in 2017, as a programme coordinator: assisting partners and ensuring all their paperwork and claims were correct. He has since progressed to programme manager, helping to steer ATI towards success. He also contributes to Better Connect’s marketing group and ATI’s equality and diversity group.
This work matters to Joe because it creates real positive results for so many – from improved mental health to giving people employment opportunities.
Fun Fact
Has a 12 year old Patterdale Terrier and an aquarium of fish!
Favourite Place
Thailand
Favourite Film
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Jonah Potter
Finance and Audit Coordinator
01423 795314 or ext 2013[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Jonah
Jonah is one of the Finance and Audit Coordinator at Better Connect. Internally, he assists staff in finance functions through auditing. Externally, he assists our partners on the ATI programme. The best part of his job is constantly learning and being challenged as well as the amazing team he works within.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
”
— Mahatma Gandhi
The Official Bit
Jonah started his career in a multinational financial technology company and progressed to Better Connect in 2019. He originally started out as a Programmes Coordinator and has since moved into a more finance focused role.
Jonah believes that the third sector is a vital part of creating a kinder and more inclusive society.
Favourite Place
St Andrews Golf Course
Favourite Book
The Lord of the Rings
Julie Bickerdyke
Head of Finance
01423 795300 ext: 2005[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Julie
Julie is Head of Finance at Better Connect and leads the Finance Team, whilst working alongside the Senior Management Team. She works on strategy to ensure the business is sustainable, using forecasting and scenarios. She monitors the numbers, cash and variances. Her favourite part of her job is teaching new skills, tips and tricks to her team. Julie loves sharing knowledge and developing people.
Julie is secretary of CIMA Members in Practice Panel, providing UK-wide support and access to quality training and development resources. She helped CIMA feed into Treasury how to better help small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring”
— David Bowie
The Official Bit
Julie is a CIMA accountant with FCMA and CGMA designations.
Julie has previously worked in engineering as Finance Director and latterly as Managing Director. Whilst there, Julie worked with local schools to provide advice, support and funding for GCSE students enabling them to build Miniature F1 cars and visit the factory to understand internal processes.
Julie has spoken at business events and presented webinars for CIMA.
Julie has her own business providing outsourced FD services – Not Just an FD.
Julie is a qualified cub scout leader and has volunteered with People in Action social group for adults with learning difficulties.
Piece of Advice
Always show kindness & respect to others
Favourite Film
Labyrinth starring David Bowie
About Julie
Julie is the Audit Manager for our Action Towards Inclusion programme, so is responsible for ensuring the programme operates compliantly within all the EU regulations. She particularly loves the nitty gritty detail and finding solutions to help smooth out any issues. The best thing about working here is the fabulous team of people and the genuine culture of nurture and support.
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
”
— Henry Van Dyke
The Official Bit
Julie has a BA (Hons) in Urban Geography and a Certificate in Management from Leeds University. She began her career piloting and running projects within the Chamber of Commerce and then later with the then Training and Enterprise Council. She took a career break whilst bringing up her children and worked part-time in a call centre for a well-known bank where she gained valuable experience of frontline customer service. Following redundancy, Julie set up her own business which she ran for several years until being drawn back into programme management, ultimately leading her to Better Connect in 2018.
Julie is a strong believer in the provision of opportunities for everyone and this runs through the core of Better Connect.
Piece of Advice
Be a mindful spender – Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
Favourite Place
Nidd Gorge and the stunning wooded walks
Laura Sandiford
Participant Experience Coordinator
01423 795303 or ext 2016[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion
About Laura
As a Participant Experience Coordinator, Laura works on Better Connect’s Action Towards Inclusion programme, a scheme which helps individuals navigate and traverse their barriers to employment, education, and volunteering. As Coordinator, she supports and manages the collaboration between partners, keyworkers, and participants on an administrative and ESF/National Lottery compliant scale. Laura tracks the ‘Participant Journey’ from start to finish, following participant engagement across the programme, and liaising with some truly transformative partners, as they deliver wide reaching support across York, North Yorkshire, and the East Riding area. The best part of her job is undoubtedly, seeing how the partnership empowers and facilitates change for those who need it.
“I can resist everything except temptation”
— Oscar Wilde
The Official Bit
Laura has a First-Class BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from the University of Sheffield. Whilst studying there, she became involved in a university led volunteering opportunity with a local primary school, where she provided literacy support to the children over several weeks. Following this opportunity, she travelled to Thailand to teach English as a foreign language and gained a TEFL accreditation.
Although just starting out in the voluntary and community sector, having been a Customer Assistant at Marks & Spencer, Laura is a huge advocate for sustainable social change. She believes this begins with supporting and empowering individuals and their communities and championing social inclusion.
Favourite Place
Bangkok
Favourite Film
Amelie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Lucie Tucker
Finance Manager
01423 795318 or ext 2003[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Finance Team
About Lucie
Lucie is the Finance Manager for Better Connect, leading a small team of Finance Coordinators to run the claims and budgeting aspects of ATI. You can often find her elbow deep in spreadsheets and budgets, although she also enjoys working closely with her colleagues to solve problems and deliver outcomes.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
”
— Maya Angelou
The Official Bit
Lucie finished high school in New Zealand and moved straight into a career based in customer service, where she realised that her true passion was working behind the scenes. During this time, she moved to Scotland and started her career in the banking industry, where she quickly climbed the corporate ladder and ended up performing audits and dipping her toes into process and change management. Determined to build success where she lacked traditional qualifications, Lucie strived ahead to move into management which she achieved when joining Better Connect in 2018.
Having worked in the finance industry, Lucie realised that the world is not set up for people who have started out in life a few feet before the start line. Doing this work enables our communities and non-profit sector to work closely together to bring those people closer to having a fair chance at an inclusive experience of life.
Fun Fact
Once ate a whole jar of homemade pickled eggs in one day
Favourite Place
The West Coast of Scotland
Sam Alexander
Chief Executive Officer
01423 795313 or ext 2002[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion Thriving at Work
About Sam
Sam is the CEO of Better Connect, which means she gets to lead this fantastic team. Internally, she has a strong focus on staff wellbeing, building a great culture and supporting the team to deliver our strategic goals. Externally, she does a lot of work to advocate for the voluntary sector, promote social inclusion and help our partners to get access to new projects and funding opportunities. The best bit of her job is getting to work with amazing people and seeing them flourish in their lives and work.
“I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion – and where it isn’t, that’s where my work lies.”
— Ram Dass
The Official Bit
Sam has a BA (Hons) in History, a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management and holds Chartered Status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr MCMI). She holds a number of positions for the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) including main Board Member, Board Diversity Champion and Chair of the Skills and Employability Board and Social Inclusion Group.
Sam has built her career in the voluntary and community sector and is a strong believer that this is a great sector for young people. She began her career working in a front-line charity working in administration and data input aged 18 and progressed to become CEO when she was 30. She joined Better Connect in 2008 and since then has worked in almost every area of the company including finance, programme management, operations and new business development.
Sam is a strong advocate for the shared benefits of a more inclusive and empowered society and believes the voluntary and community sector is a vital link to make this a reality.
Fun fact
Sam qualified as a yoga teacher in Rishikesh, India where she learned about yoga philosophy, yogic lifestyle and meditation as well as the more well known yoga postures.
Piece of advice
Ask yourself “how do I want to show up?” and live by that. How others respond is not in your control.
Simon Watterson
Marketing Manager
01423 795316 or ext 2007[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion
About Simon
Hi I’m Simon and I work as Marketing Manager for Better Connect. I manage the overall marketing work, highlighting the impact of the ATI programme.
The great part of my job is it allows me to meet really interesting people in lots of different walks of life and ask them to tell me their story.
I’ve worked in the voluntary and charitable sector for over 20 years now in a number of different roles and think the sector represents what is great in Great Britain.
““In my life so far, I have discovered that there are really only two kinds of people: those who are for you, and those who are against you. Learn to recognize them, for they are often and easily mistaken for each other.””
— Lemmy Kilmister
The Official Bit
Simon worked as a civil servant for a number of years and then ‘saw the light’ – moving to a job managing a York social enterprise in 1997. During his time at the enterprise, he became interested in marketing and design – undertaking a range of work to promote the business.
He has been a staff member for Better Connect for over 10 years and has seen the organisation grow and develop.
He managed a social action programme based in Scarborough for eleven years supporting the homeless community and currently volunteers for Cycling Without Age – a project that takes elderly people out on Trixie, a specially adapted bike.
He believes that we are ‘the community’ and we can make change happen.
Favourite Place
On a bike
Sophia Ormston
Participant Experience Co-ordinator
01423 795300[email protected]
Action Towards Inclusion
About Sophia
I have just joined Better Connect as the role of ‘Participant Experience Coordinator‘ on the Action towards inclusion which is one of the longest running programmes here at Better Connect.
As a Participant Experience Coordinator , I will work closely with the Participant Experience Manager to provide administrative and data entry support across all elements of the programme. One of the main duties for this role will be quality checking paperwork and uploading it accurately onto our database. I will be required to communicate with partners, give feedback and support them to ensure paperwork is compliant. I will also help new partners on the paperwork systems and processes.
“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground”
The Official Bit
This was my first experience of working in an organisation like Better Connect. I was here through the Kickstart Programme as a ‘Grants Assistant’ and now have a full time role working within Better Connect. I am looking forward to learning new skills and meeting new people from all walks of life. I would like to gain more confidence in public speaking. I am most enthusiastic about finding out about all the different partners and how they change people’s lives.
Fun Fact
I went to a French boarding school in the south of France when I was 11
Piece of Advice
Celebrate all the successes – No matter how small, a win is a win, especially when we take loses harder than we should. Take advantage of it
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Connect With UsBecome Part of ATI
If you or someone you know are interested in taking the next big step in life, ATI could be for you.
You can refer someone or self-refer to us at atiyorkshire.org and we will contact you to find a perfectly matched mentor. Or either email [email protected] or you can phone 01423 795300 and we’ll be happy to give you more information.
Useful Documents & Links
ATI Yorkshire Website
More information related to the action towards inclusion project