Sewing Class Supports Families on the Neonatal Unit The talented ladies from the Sewing Class at Tees Valley Women’s Centre have once again demonstrated the power of community by creating a collection of specially designed gowns for parents with babies receiving care on the neonatal unit. The gowns have been developed to support skin-to-skin care, allowing parents to hold their babies close while remaining comfortable and maintaining their dignity. Skin-to-skin contact is known to provide many benefits for both babies and parents, helping to strengthen bonding, support infant development, and improve wellbeing during what can be a challenging time for families. Sarah Brooks, Northern Neonatal Care Coordinator, highlighted that clothing can often be a barrier to parents accessing skin-to-skin care. These handmade gowns will help remove that barrier, making it easier for parents to spend precious time with their babies. Everyone at Tees Valley Women’s Centre is incredibly proud of the Sewing Class for their kindness, creativity, and dedication. Their thoughtful contribution will make a meaningful difference to families across the region and is a wonderful example of how community-led projects can have a lasting impact. We would like to thank all the volunteers involved for their hard work and generosity in supporting families when they need it most.

Tees Valley Women’s Centre Receives £10,000 Donation from Wates Family Enterprise Trust Tees Valley Women’s Centre was delighted to receive a generous £10,000 donation from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust during a cheque presentation held at Wilton House last Thursday. The funding will support the centre’s core services, helping the organisation continue providing vital support to women and families across the Tees Valley. The presentation was attended alongside representatives from SES Engineering Services, who have continued to show strong commitment to supporting the work of the centre through partnership working and social value initiatives. The event also provided an opportunity to meet Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, and discuss the services delivered by the centre, as well as the positive impact the organisation continues to have within local communities. Tees Valley Women’s Centre would like to give special thanks to Eilish Heatley, SES Social Values Advisor, for her ongoing encouragement, commitment and continued support to the centre. The strong relationship built with SES Engineering has played an important role in helping raise awareness of the charity’s work and ensuring continued support for women across the region. Partnerships such as this demonstrate the importance of collaboration between charities, businesses and community organisations in creating meaningful social impact across the Tees Valley. Everyone at Tees Valley Women’s Centre would like to thank the Wates Family Enterprise Trust and SES Engineering Services for their generosity, partnership and continued belief in the work of the centre.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS: Michelle Renton At Tees Valley Women’s Centre, we are proud of each and every woman who walks through our doors. Every journey is unique, every step forward matters, and every achievement — big or small — is something to celebrate. We see first-hand the strength, resilience and determination of the women we support, and Michelle’s story is a truly inspiring example of what can be achieved with the right support, encouragement and belief. Michelle began her journey with us around 8 years ago, while juggling a busy life, working in care, and raising 6 children. She joined the centre to continue her learning and quickly found so much more than just education — she found support, friendship, and a space where she could be herself. Michelle says the centre helped her mentally, giving her people to talk to and a community that truly cared. Over the years, she achieved so much: Level 3 Health & Social Care First Aid, Manual Handling & Food Hygiene Maths & English Functional Skills Access to Healthcare Diploma in Adult Nursing – passed with Distinction Michelle had planned to go to university, but life had other plans — and an incredible opportunity came her way. She applied for a role at a local hospice, somewhere very close to her heart after losing her mam there 3 years ago. Today, she has been in that role for nearly 13 months and has secured a full-time permanent position. In her own words: “If it wasn’t for Tees Valley Women’s Centre, I wouldn’t be where I am today… I love my job and the access course has given me so much confidence in myself to push forward. I may not have gone to university, but I have an access diploma in health and a job I am so proud of and love. I have me back and I’m so happy.” We are incredibly proud of you, Michelle — and of every woman who takes that first step and keeps going. Your journeys inspire us every single day

Nursery Practitioner – (Term Time Only) Due to the continued expansion of our nursery, we are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and reliable Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and dedicated team. This is a minimum of 16 hours per week, term time only, working between the hours of 8:00am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, with flexibility available within these hours. We are a small but busy nursery providing high-quality care and education for children from birth to five years. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting children’s development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This will include caring for and meeting the individual needs of all children, supporting their feeding, personal care, and educational development, as well as planning activities based on children’s interests and participating in all daily routines within the nursery. Essential requirements: A relevant childcare qualification (such as Early Years Educator/EYE) A clear DBS check (to be completed upon appointment) Recent experience working within the EYFS is preferred Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to undertake a two-day training course) A flexible, reliable approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a team We are looking for someone who: Is warm, caring, and approachable with a genuine love of working with children Enjoys imaginative play, creativity, and getting involved in children’s activities Is confident singing songs, joining in with nursery rhymes, and encouraging movement and dance Can stay organised and attentive in a lively environment Can build positive relationships with children and their families This is a rewarding role where you will make a real difference to the lives of young children and be a valued part of our nursery community. Benefits include: Company events Company pension Employee discount Free on-site parking How to apply:Please send your CV and covering letter detailing qualifications & relevant experience to: crechemanager@tvwc.org.uk

New Summer Term Courses and Clinics at Tees Valley Women’s Centre Tees Valley Women’s Centre is pleased to announce its new Summer Term timetable, featuring a wide range of courses, wellbeing sessions, and specialist clinics designed to support women across the Tees Valley. The new programme offers opportunities to develop new skills, improve wellbeing, access professional advice, and connect with others in a supportive and welcoming environment. Courses and Learning Opportunities This summer term includes a variety of educational and skills-based courses to support personal and professional development: Education & Skills Development Access to Higher Education for Health Professionals Early Years Diploma Supporting Teaching & Learning Level 2 English & Maths Functional Skills Essential Skills Blended Learning Hub Digital Workshop These courses are designed to help women build confidence, gain qualifications, and move towards further education or employment. Creative & Practical Skills Art & Craft Club Art for Wellbeing – Painting Sewing Groups Cooking on a Budget Creative and practical sessions provide opportunities to learn new skills while improving wellbeing and connecting with others. Communication & Development Makaton These sessions support communication skills and personal development in a relaxed learning environment. Health and Wellbeing Sessions The summer timetable also includes a variety of wellbeing-focused sessions: Health & Wellbeing Menopause Wellbeing Chair-based Yoga Mat Yoga These sessions are designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing in a supportive group setting. Clinics and Specialist Support Alongside courses, Tees Valley Women’s Centre is offering a range of specialist clinics throughout the summer term: Law Clinic (13th April, 25th May, 22nd June, 20th July) Women’s Health Clinic (7th May, 4th June, 2nd July) Podiatry Clinic (22nd April, 13th May, 24th June) These clinics provide access to professional advice and support in a welcoming and accessible environment. Open to Women Across Tees Valley All courses and clinics are available to women aged 19+ living in the Tees Valley. Whether you’re looking to learn new skills, improve your wellbeing, access support, or meet new people, there is something for everyone this summer. Register Your Interest To find out more or to register your interest in any of the courses or clinics, please contact: Tees Valley Women’s Centre 01642 296166 Spaces may be limited, so early registration is encouraged. Tees Valley Women’s Centre continues to provide opportunities that empower women, build confidence, and support positive futures across the Tees Valley community.

Tees Valley Women’s Centre has launched a new brochure providing a clear overview of the support, services and opportunities available for women across the region. The brochure highlights the Centre’s work in education, training, wellbeing, advice and support, as well as the wide range of programmes designed to help women build confidence, develop skills and move towards employment, further education and independence. It also showcases the Centre’s childcare provision, partner services and community support, all delivered in a safe and welcoming environment. Whether you are looking for support, training opportunities or information about the Centre’s work, the brochure offers a helpful introduction to everything available. Download the brochure below to find out more about how Tees Valley Women’s Centre supports women across the Tees Valley. Powered By EmbedPress

https://www.tvwc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IWD-2026-PHOTO-MONTAGE-FB-POST-3.mp4 Tees Valley Women’s Centre was proud to host a special community event to celebrate International Women’s Day, bringing together women from across our community for a day of connection, creativity, wellbeing and celebration. The centre was filled with a fantastic atmosphere as women came together to support one another, try new activities and celebrate the strength and achievements of women in our community. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces joining us to mark such an important day. A Day of Activities, Wellbeing and Creativity Throughout the day, visitors were able to take part in a range of activities designed to support wellbeing and encourage creativity. Pam led a calming yoga and relaxation session, giving women the opportunity to pause, unwind and focus on their wellbeing. Creative workshops also proved very popular, with Jess and Andrea leading art and jewellery sessions where women could explore their creativity and try something new in a welcoming and supportive environment. In addition, ELM Alliance and MFC Foundation were on hand providing health checks and wellbeing advice, helping women access valuable information and support for their health. Supporting Local Women-Led Businesses The event also showcased the incredible talent and creativity of local women through a variety of stalls run by small businesses and makers. Visitors enjoyed browsing and supporting a range of stalls including: Sam’s Homemade Cakes Bee’s Bows Sea Glass Crafts TG Embroidery by Annie RH Thread & Co. That Lass Glows Craft De-Stash Stall These stalls added a vibrant and welcoming marketplace feel to the event, giving visitors the opportunity to purchase unique handmade items and support local women entrepreneurs. A Celebration of Community International Women’s Day is about recognising the achievements of women while continuing to champion equality, opportunity and support. Events like this highlight the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where women can come together, share experiences and support one another. We were absolutely delighted to see so many women join us to celebrate the day, and it was a wonderful reminder of the positive impact that community spaces like Tees Valley Women’s Centre can have. Thank You A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who came along to celebrate with us, as well as to the fantastic stallholders, activity leaders, partner organisations and volunteers who generously gave their time to help make the day such a success. Your support helped create a warm, welcoming and inspiring event that truly reflected the spirit of International Women’s Day. We look forward to many more opportunities to bring women together, celebrate achievements and continue supporting women across our community. 💜

When Claire Henderson moved to Redcar and Cleveland with her three sons, her focus was firmly on family life. Like many mums, she had spent years putting her children first while her own goals took a back seat. But once her children were settled in school and nursery, Claire made a life-changing decision — it was time to do something for herself. Claire had always been passionate about working with children, particularly those with special educational needs. However, after years working in hospitality and catering, she wasn’t sure how to take the first step into a new career that would fit around family life. Everything changed when a friend shared a post on Facebook about courses at Tees Valley Women’s Centre. Curious and motivated, Claire visited the centre the very next day to find out more — and quickly enrolled onto a Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning course delivered in partnership with Prior Pursglove College (Atomix Educational Trust). Starting something new while raising young children wasn’t without its challenges. With nursery hours to work around, childcare was a key barrier. Thanks to the centre’s flexible learning approach and support with childcare costs, Claire was able to continue her studies and stay fully committed to her learning journey. Studying in a supportive, welcoming environment helped Claire grow in confidence and develop new skills, including improving her IT knowledge and gaining valuable hands-on experience through a school placement. With guidance from tutors and staff, she not only completed her course but also discovered new opportunities to progress even further. “Finding out about the centre has opened new and exciting doors for me. The support and help from staff and tutors has been amazing,” Claire said. Now continuing onto further qualifications, including additional learning to support her career in education, Claire feels excited and optimistic about the future. Her goal is to work in an educational setting supporting pupils, especially those with additional needs — a passion she has held for many years. Claire’s journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to learn, retrain, or follow a new path. With the right support, encouragement, and flexible opportunities, women can overcome barriers, rebuild confidence, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. At Tees Valley Women’s Centre, we are proud to support women like Claire every day — providing a safe, supportive space where confidence grows, skills develop, and new possibilities begin.

Tees Valley Women’s Centre is delighted to see its work recognised in a recent feature from Sass Media highlighting the impact of its long-standing partnership with Atomix Educational Trust. As part of this ongoing collaboration, Atomix has donated three laptops to support women attending courses at the centre. The devices are already helping to improve access to essential technology, removing barriers to learning and enabling learners to work towards qualifications in areas such as Functional Skills in Maths and English and teacher training. The centre’s relationship with Atomix and Prior Pursglove College has now spanned 18 years. Over that time, the partnership has supported many women to regain qualifications, train as teaching assistants, build confidence, and in some cases progress into university and employment. Access to practical support plays a crucial role in learners’ success. Alongside education and training opportunities, the centre provides a supportive community environment and access to childcare, helping women overcome challenges that might otherwise prevent them from returning to learning. The addition of laptops will make a significant difference for learners who previously relied solely on mobile phones to complete coursework. Tees Valley Women’s Centre remains committed to empowering women to take positive steps towards brighter futures. The centre extends its sincere thanks to Atomix Educational Trust for its continued partnership and belief in the potential of the women it supports.

Tees Valley Women’s Centre (TVWC) is proud to announce that we have officially been recognised as part of Dementia Friendly Redcar & Cleveland. This recognition highlights our commitment to creating a supportive, understanding and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers. We were honoured to receive our certificate at a special celebration event hosted by Dementia Action Teesside, alongside a wide range of local organisations, community groups and services who are all working towards the same goal — ensuring that people affected by dementia can continue to access their community with confidence, dignity and respect. The event brought together representatives from across the borough and showcased the strength of local partnerships in building a more dementia-friendly community. We were especially pleased to see the efforts of so many sectors recognised, from voluntary and community organisations to health services and local businesses. Our thanks go to Councillor Ian Hart, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, who presented the certificates and helped celebrate the collective achievements of those involved. We would also like to thank Dementia Action Teesside for hosting such a meaningful event and for their continued leadership in supporting organisations to make positive, lasting changes. At TVWC, we are proud to stand alongside others who are making a real difference in the lives of people affected by dementia. We remain committed to continuing this important work and to ensuring our services are welcoming, accessible and supportive for all.