AN innovative women’s centre has joined a project aimed at helping people get into work or training.

Step Forward Tees Valley, which is run by the Northern Inclusion Consortium (NIC) and jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, has joined forces with the Tees Valley Women’s Centre to support women who want to move closer to training and employment.

The centre, based in Middlesbrough, is a one stop shop dedicated to helping women improve their quality of life and offers free courses and crèche facilities to help women achieve their goals.

Helen Collins, Step Forward programme manager, said: “Childcare can often be a barrier for women to work and the crèche at the centre could make the world of difference to some of our participants.”

Kathy Lloyd, manager at the Tees Valley Women’s Centre, said: “We are dedicated to supporting and guiding women so they achieve their potential and can improve their lives.

"Through our partnership with Step Forward Tees Valley we hope to help more women overcome the issues that may have prevented them from getting a job in the past so they can have a brighter future.”

To find out about Step Forward Tees Valley visit www.sfteesvalley.co.uk or call 01325-529210. You can also find the project on Facebook at stepforwardteesvalley