The Guildhall (Newcastle-under-Lyme) is becoming an even more valuable community space, thanks to a new partnership with the Growth Company, alongside Mencap. Together we are bringing expanded employment and wellbeing support right into the heart of town.
As part of ongoing work to strengthen local services, residents will soon be able to access free employment support, interviews, advice sessions, and community workshops directly from the Guildhall — making help more accessible, more welcoming, and closer to home.
What Connect to Work Brings to the Community
The Connect to Work programme is designed to support people who may face barriers to employment. Whether you’re living with a health condition, managing a disability, or simply out of work and looking to build confidence, the programme offers:
- Support for people with health conditions, disabilities, or anyone who’s been out of work for a while
- Help to build confidence, skills, and employability
- Friendly one‑to‑one conversations tailored to each person’s goals
- Clear pathways into local jobs, training, and development opportunities
This is all about creating opportunities that feel achievable, supportive, and led by the needs of local people.
Who’s Involved?
This collaboration brings together several trusted partners, each playing a key role:
Growth Company
Delivering interviews, recruitment activities, and support appointments directly from the Guildhall.
Mencap Connect to Work
Running engagement events and tailored support for people with neurodiversity and additional needs.
Support Staffordshire
Hosting the programme and helping residents access volunteering, community activities, and wider wellbeing support across the town.
The Guildhall: A Growing VCSE and Community Hub
The Guildhall is steadily transforming into a vibrant space where VCSE organisations and local residents come together. By hosting programmes like Connect to Work, it’s becoming:
- More accessible
- More community‑focused
- Better equipped to support local people
This is another step in developing the Guildhall as a hub where local residents can find the support, advice, and opportunities they need .