📚 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 “𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀” 📚 🔵 Businesses and organisations in #Hartlepool have come together to back a major new drive to boost adult literacy in the town and unlock residents’ full potential. 🟠 Over 100 representatives of firms and organisations took part yesterday in the Hartlepool Literacy Summit organised by Hartlepool Borough Council at Hartlepool College of Further Education. 🟢 More than a third of Hartlepool adults have very low levels of literacy, drastically affecting their life chances and those of their families. 🔵 To tackle the issue, at the Summit the Council launched a Hartlepool Literacy Task Force in partnership with local firms and businesses, which signed a special pledge to work together to champion literacy for everyone and make literacy skills more accessible and relevant, to create a skilled workforce to meet the needs of employers both now and in the future. 🟠 Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “We have £140m going into the physical regeneration of Hartlepool and we need to make sure that the people who live here have the skills to take full advantage of all the opportunities that brings. 🟢 “At the moment, due to low literacy levels, one in three Hartlepool adults would not be able to do that. Add to this the fact that low literacy levels cost the UK economy as a whole around £38bn each year in lost productivity and work welfare costs. 🔵 “It’s a situation that, together, we must take action to address, and that action has started with the Summit and the launch of the Hartlepool Literacy Task Force. 🟠 “I would like to thank everyone who came along, and Hartlepool College of Further Education for hosting the event. It was a roaring success - the sense of optimism and the level of commitment to working in partnership to tackle the issue of low literacy levels was truly inspiring. 🟢 “If every individual and organisation makes just a small change, when you add up all those small changes together we can make a massive impact. 🔵 “If you are an employer or run an organisation in the town and you weren’t able to attend the Summit, we’d still love you to get involved, so please get in touch.” 🟠 For more information email literacy.taskforce@hartlepool.gov.uk @HartlepoolHubs

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 🚴Join staff from the Hartlepool Walking and Cycling Hub in Church Street for a guided bike ride to mark International Women's Day. 🚴 Open to all, the ride will cover around seven miles, mostly on shared paths and quiet roads. 🚴bikes and helmets can be borrowed - just turn up early so they can be arranged and fitted. 🚴Call 07766 474793 for more information.

🎉𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 🎉 Hartlepool Borough Council’s Jobs and Skills Service has been praised after helping hundreds of residents find jobs and giving support to thousands more. Together with its partner organisations, the Service – which is part of Hartlepool Community Hubs – supports residents to progress into long-term jobs alongside offering high-quality learning opportunities to meet the demands of local employers. Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth & Regeneration Committee, said: “These are outstanding results, and I congratulate everyone involved with the Jobs and Skills Service and – not least – all the residents who have achieved so much thanks to its support. “A key aim of the Council is to grow our local economy and to ensure that residents have the best possible opportunities to gain the skills they need, creating a local workforce that can thrive in new jobs, sectors, and industries. “Our fantastic Jobs and Skills Service is a cornerstone of that.” To find out more about the results, click here ➡️ hartlepool.gov.uk/jobs-and-s… @HartlepoolJS @HartlepoolHubs

📣𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡📣 Mental health is a vital part of men’s lives and it’s OK to talk about it! That’s the message of a new booklet which has been created by Hartlepool men for Hartlepool men in partnership with Hartlepool Art Gallery in a project made possible by the support of the Art Fund. The initiative has used the art and legacy of John Wilson McCracken – an artist who lived most of his life in the town and worked in the Gray Art Gallery – to engage men in conversations about mental health and creativity, with the aim of reducing stigma and fostering connections across the community. Hartlepool Art Gallery partnered with Andy’s Man Club – which offers free man-to-man support in Hartlepool and across the country - to create a 12-page booklet called ‘What’s On Your Mind, Mate?’ that introduces John McCracken’s work and explores the powerful connection between art and mental health. The booklet highlights how art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional wellbeing and includes reflections from the local men who’ve taken part in the project. Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “It’s never been more important for us to talk about our mental health and share how we are feeling, but unfortunately that’s something that men in particular have difficulty doing. “This remarkable booklet will hopefully encourage them to do that, reminding them that they are not alone and highlighting the support available, and we are very grateful for the Art Fund’s support. “Building on the success of this project, we’re delighted to have been awarded a Reimagine Grant from the Art Fund to continue and expand it. “This next phase will deepen the Art Gallery’s engagement with the community by introducing new workshops, exhibitions, and opportunities for creative collaboration, ensuring that John McCracken’s art continues to inspire and support mental health awareness.” Andy’s Man Club member Richard Wilkinson said: “I never thought art was for me, so working on something like this wasn’t something I’d done before, but being part of this project has been a game-changer." Full story ➡️ hartlepool.gov.uk/new-bookle…

📣𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽-𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁📣 As part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week which is running until 24th November, a drop-in event will take place tomorrow from 10am-1pm at Community Hub Central in York Road. If you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour, come along and you will be able to talk to representatives from Cleveland Police, Hartlepool Borough Council's Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Safety teams, Thirteen Group and Home Group.

⭐ 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗣-𝗨𝗣 𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬? ⭐ It's in Community Hub Central in York Road from 10am to 4pm in partnership with Tees Zine Fest and it's FREE. It's a celebration of self-published creativity with stalls, zine libraries and free workshops. A zine is a self-published, non-commercial print-work that is typically produced in small, limited batches. Zines are created and bound in many ways, but traditionally editions are made by hand and easily reproduced. The main rule is that there are no rules! This event is funded through Arts Council England. @HartlepoolHubs