Grow into Work

Supporting Northumberland residents into sustainable employment.

What is our Grow into Work programme?

The Grow into Work programme offers 4 weeks of work experience (3 days a week) alongside 6 sessions of 1:1 Employability support. Work experience is undertaken within one of the departments at The Alnwick Garden following an initial meeting to discuss how the scheme will best support you.

The scheme’s Employability support will focus on:

Job Searching Skills
Application Skills
Cover Letters
CV Building
Interview Preparation
Interview Skills

In addition to the above, The Alnwick Garden will reimburse travel costs and track participants for the following three months to offer assistance wherever possible, to assist with beneficiaries progression into employment, education or training.

Refreshments either provided or reimbursed along with travel paid.

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How has our Grow into Work programme helped our local community?

Throughout 2024/25 we offered a combination of tailored one-to-one learning (CV writing, application forms, interviews, presentation skills) and hands-on work experience. In total. there were 516 hours of direct employability skills delivered with 1,440 hours of work experience offered.

We also offer a tailored follow-up for up to 6 months post-programme if needed.

Through 2024/25, 19 individuals engaged in Grow into Work with 7 people securing employment following work placements. Individuals also noted improvement in skills and an increase in confidence upon completion.

Impact

Feedback from a DWP Employment Coach

“I’m thrilled to share Paige has gained employment at Alnwick Castle. Her dedication, determination and confidence has soared since completing the Grow into Work scheme with Alastair and The Alnwick Garden team. Paige’s hard work has truly paid off, and I’m confident she will thrive in her new role both personally and professionally.”

Meet the Team

Alastair Carrington-Wathey

Employability & Enterprise Officer

Following completing college I joined a hotel group and worked in Newcastle (where I met my wife to be) before moving to Alnwick and working at The White Swan. Really fell in love with Northumberland but work and opportunities drew me to the midlands.

I got involved at several football clubs (Rushden & Diamonds, Oxford United, Milton Keynes, Northampton Town and eventually at Birmingham City when they were in the Premier League. Lots of different positions but mainly focussed on the commercial, corporate hospitality and business development of the clubs on matchdays and non-matchdays. After a turbulent end to my time at BCFC, I decided to make a career change and retrained as a tutor. After gaining experience in small colleges and training organisations, tutoring H&S , Customer Service, Employability and Personal Development, my wife and I took the decision to move back to Northumberland. I was fortunate to gain a position with a training company (SORA) whose focus was Business Improvement (Kaizen) based around Nissan and the motor supply chain and manufacturing.

Just under 5 years ago, I spotted an advert for an Employability Tutor at The Alnwick Garden and applied. My role is varied but the essence is to support individuals into work or get them closer to the job market – this is carried out by three programmes (Grow into Work, Growing Together Northumberland and Seeds for Success). There are additional activities that I undertake such as the School Skills Days, organising our Jobs & Careers Fair, school employability sessions and supporting other C&E members in their undertakings wherever I can.

How your donation can help

£50 will help us provide a two hour session with someone who requires support with their Employability Skills – developing their CV, Cover Letter writing, Interview preparation and planning, Job Searching skills etc.

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