A North East employment partnership created by a group of thirteen regional housing providers, to deliver a coordinated strategic approach to employability, is excited to announce the launch of its all-new branding.

Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE) has revealed new branding to reflect its ongoing commitment to improving employment outcomes for people living in social and supported housing across the region.

The network is a partnership between Tyne Housing, Gentoo Group, North Star Housing, Your Homes Newcastle, Johnnie Johnson Housing, Karbon Homes, Home Group, Livin Housing, Bernicia Homes, believe housing, Beyond Housing, Oasis Community Housing and Thirteen Group. As a collective they have more than 190,000 homes across the north east.

Steve McKinlay, chair of HENNE’s Board and chief executive of Tyne Housing, said: “I am delighted to announce the launch of the HENNE brand. We have worked together to develop a brand which is bright, bold and reflects our commitment to our tenants and residents to deliver positive change under the banner of employability.

“Increasing employment support and opportunities for people in social housing is a necessity to help individuals within our communities realise their potential. By working as a collective with our partners, supply chain and employers, and building on relationships with key stakeholders across the region, we can make a real difference and identify opportunities for the future.”

Karen Kenmare, chair of HENNE’s operations group and head of business growth at Thirteen Group, said: “HENNE is an extremely important network that provides access to valuable opportunities for tenants, residents, and communities.

“We understand that employability is a journey and one that’s different for everyone, which is why at HENNE we are passionate about a person-centred holistic, end-to-end approach to employability, whether that be helping to boost someone’s confidence and develop soft skills or being the link between an individual and potential employer.”

A recent report by the Institute for Employment Studies and the Learning and Work Institute for Employment, commissioned by Communities that Work, the National Housing Federation and National Federation of ALMOs, about how social housing can support skills, talent and workforce development, revealed that 40% of social housing tenants are economically inactive, compared with around 20% of those in other tenures.

HENNE aims to play a key role in addressing these challenges, by supporting tenants and residents with direct access to the local labour market and engaging with those who are economically inactive to help support and explore how they can prepare for, find, and secure quality jobs.

Karen added: “Our network is unique in that we have direct relationships with individuals who are often not in contact with mainstream or statutory services. We work in the heart of communities where levelling up needs to happen, and with the right funding and support, we can make a real social and economic impact in the communities we serve.”

To find out more about HENNE and its impact across the region, visit  https://www.linkedin.com/company/henne-partnership/ or contact Ellie Patience, Business Development Manager for HENNE at ellie.patience@tynegroup.org.uk.