The appearance of a local building that is home to community mental health services has enjoyed a trim and tidy up, thanks to a team from the Skill Mill, a social enterprise that provides employment for young ex–offenders in watercourse and horticulture services.

The team of four young people spent two days in Sandyford cutting down weeds, removing litter and replanting Benton House’s planters.

Young ex-offenders, aged between 16 and 18, are offered a route into employment by the Skill Mill which gives them the opportunity to gain invaluable life experiences as well as key horticulture skills.

The Skill Mill’s young ex-offenders at work

According to business development manager Charlotte Thorpe, the Skill Mill aims is to place young people in education, an apprenticeship, or other employment within six months.

“None of these young people have had much experience in anything, so this is something to put on their CV,” she told JesmondLocal. “They are now able to say that they got up and out to work every day for six months and they have got all these different skills that they can use in all kinds of different areas.” Supervisor Shaun Breeze, who accompanies the team at work, said that some have gone on to work in call centres, for example.

The Skill Mill has its origins in the north east, but now has five locations across the north of England. So far, 96 young people have taken part, with just 11 going on to reoffend within 12 months: that’s a reoffending rate of just 11.5% compared with the national reoffending rate of 42.2% for young people convicted of an offence, according to the Skill Mill.

The organisation continue to pay regular visits to Jesmond as they work closely with two letting agents based in the area and other private residents.

The young people, many of whom have been expelled from mainstream schools, earn the age-related national minimum wage. “When they start, we get them here at 9am because that’s the time they would start school and we just try to get them in a routine, teach some manners and so on,” said Breeze. “Next year we’re linking up with employment agency Newcastle Futures so our next cohort will be improving their English and maths skills and work towards a physical education certificate.”

The Skill Mill says it is looking for more landlords who might like to use its services. Further information can be found on its website: https://www.theskillmill.org/newcastle