The Thriving Byker Strategy (TBS) is a celebration of the Byker Estate, and all the work that contributes to making our community so brilliant.
The annual document explores nine key themes including:
- Health, wellbeing mindfulness
- Children and young people
- Community training and employment
Helping our customers reach their employment goals is a top priority for us. We have a dedicated Employment Advisor Sean who works alongside our community partners to ensure we offer a wide range of support services to ensure people can live happily and independently in their homes.
- 26 customers moved into employment
- 4 Byker customers have been recruited into grounds maintenance New Start roles .
- 63 active customers engaged with the service from referrals from Neighbourhood Housing Officers or self-referrals
- 24 customers have been guided into training or improvement of basic skills
- 79% conversion rate (from not engaging to engaging)
We’ve also worked to provide a range of courses and learning opportunities for customers both internally and by collaborating with external organisations.
Twelve Byker customers attended the Optimum Skills DIY Course to learn basic retrofit DIY skills such as plastering and flatpack furniture building to improve confidence and pride in homes.
We provide a four-week trial course called ‘The Write Turn’ for customers who lack confidence with reading, writing, maths and digital skills. Additionally, Karbon will pay the fee for a provisional driving licence and theory test, and run sessions on how to compete the driver’s theory test.
- 7 Byker customers in attendance
- 3 provisional licences purchased
- 4 theory tests booked for the summer.
- 1 awaiting provisional licence then immediate test booked
Customers have continued to show interest in the course throughout the year.
If you’d like to get in touch about support with your next career move, or how you can enhance and grow your skills for work, get in touch with the team by emailing: employmentandskills@karbonfoundation.co.uk.
The Thriving Byker Strategy (TBS) is a celebration of the Byker Estate, and all the work that contributes to making our community so brilliant.
The annual document explores nine key themes including:
Helping our customers reach their employment goals is a top priority for us. We have a dedicated Employment Advisor Sean who works alongside our community partners to ensure we offer a wide range of support services to ensure people can live happily and independently in their homes.
We’ve also worked to provide a range of courses and learning opportunities for customers both internally and by collaborating with external organisations.
Twelve Byker customers attended the Optimum Skills DIY Course to learn basic retrofit DIY skills such as plastering and flatpack furniture building to improve confidence and pride in homes.
We provide a four-week trial course called ‘The Write Turn’ for customers who lack confidence with reading, writing, maths and digital skills. Additionally, Karbon will pay the fee for a provisional driving licence and theory test, and run sessions on how to compete the driver’s theory test.
The initial trial saw:
Customers have continued to show interest in the course throughout the year.
If you want to find out more about our employability work, the latest Thriving Byker Strategy for 2025/2026 is live now, and you can read the full report here: Thriving Byker Strategy 2025/2026 | Karbon Homes
If you’d like to get in touch about support with your next career move, or how you can enhance and grow your skills for work, get in touch with the team by emailing: employmentandskills@karbonfoundation.co.uk.
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