It’s a community interest company that supports people who face barriers to work – and Hiyed’s approach is already paying dividends.
Since mental health nurse Tracy Fee set up Hiyed CIC in November 2023 soon after being diagnosed with autism, it has helped and supported more than 300 people find their rightful places in the workplace.
After realising her disability probably caused several challenges she faced throughout her 30 “plus” year NHS career, Tracy wanted to support others facing similar situations.
Hiyed – it’s based on the ‘you’re hired’ phrase – was the result and it’s literally changing lives.
From its base in a former Methodist church on Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, it’s grown rapidly from three people – Tracy, husband Gary and job coach Nicola Cook – to a 40-strong supportive and close-knit team, all with their own lived experience of disability.
Funded by the DWP’s Access To Work scheme, Hiyed’s full “wrap-around” service helps find employment for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other challenges that cause barriers to work.
And by offering ongoing support for six months, it also helps ensure any initial issues are ironed out.
As Tracy, 54, gears up to devoting all her time to Hiyed, having just retired from the NHS after 35 years, its influence is spreading.
And one place definitely in its sights is Aycliffe Business Park, with two of several recent success stories showing what Hiyed can bring to the table.
Luke Walton was looking for a warehouse job but felt his learning disability could hamper his chances in the traditional interview process.
But thanks to Hiyed’s support, including one-to-one coaching and help with various practicalities, and an enlightened approach from mobility equipment supplier Medequip, Luke, 25, completed a supported internship and is now a valued member of the warehouse team at the firm’s Aycliffe site.
And at nearby Power Tool World, Matthew Pickles was taken on as a warehouse operative after another bespoke action plan was devised.
Having connected with the firm’s head of warehousing Phil Shakespeare at a networking event, Hiyed helped Matthew, 47, return to the warehouse work he’d enjoyed for 20 years until Covid saw the firm he worked for fold.
He faced many possible barriers to succeeding in a traditional interview process, but after referral to Hiyed by the JobCentre, a support plan was drawn up and implemented.
Matthew’s off to an encouraging start – and Tracy believes many more success stories like that can follow.
She said: “Those situations are a ‘win-win’ for the employee and the employer – it’s equality and diversity in action.
“Matthew and Luke have got jobs, with all the mental health and other benefits that brings, but it’s also a win for the employer because they get really committed people who otherwise may have escaped the net.”
Hiyed, which sponsored the Apprenticeship category at the recent Make Your Mark Awards, is “about creating opportunities for people,” says Tracy.
People connect with Hiyed in various ways, including self-referrals, GP and social prescriber referrals and through weekly JobCentre drop-in sessions.
Hiyed is also working with Forest Park School and next year hopes to offer a supported internship programme for Y11 students.
And following the Aycliffe success stories highlighted in this article, Tracy feels there can be many more if other companies on the park get in touch.
She said: “We’ve got a brilliant relationship with firms like Medequip, who help us by providing some short-term experience placements, and I hope we can build more of those types of relationships.
“We’d just urge businesses not to be worried about recruiting someone with a disability, because we can help them through every step.
“We want to create some great opportunities for the people we support and the employers they’ll work for.”
Find out more about Hiyed and its services at hiyed.co.uk