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Careers

New Start

New Start is OPEN for applications!

New Start gives you real life work experience, with a real wage and the opportunity to boost your career. 

New Start can help unlock your potential, addressing your barriers to employment and supporting you to find the new start you’ve been looking for...

…so what’s stopping you?

We've been awarded £552k from North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) to work in partnership with Bernicia, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), North Tyneside Council and Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE) to create 60 new career starter roles across Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority.  

New Start funders and partners

Apply now for the latest New Start roles


We have 5 roles open and available to apply for NOW!

These 5 Assistant Operative roles are available within the Estates Team at Bernicia. 

They will be based in Ashington, for 5 months up to 30 hours per week.

These roles are available to anyone living in a Karbon, Bernicia, YHN or North Tyneside Homes property; and the best part of New Start… NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

If you don’t live in accessible distance to Ashington, or you don’t fancy this role… don’t worry – the New Start team are busy working with local employers across the region, and across different industries to create 55 more exciting career starter opportunities… so keep an eye out on our social media pages (add them in) and our website page: new-start.co.uk

Throughout May and June, we'll be holding information events, meet the employer events, and other workshops to help you achieve the most from an interview, and overcome concerns or barriers you may face when you are thinking about moving into a new job/ back to work.

There are eligibility requirements for these roles. You can find out more in our FAQ section below.

How to apply


It's easy and straightforward. Contact our Foundations for Life team to start the application process.

We're also holiday an Information Event on Wednesday 10 April at 10 - 11.30am and 1 - 2.30pm - book your place here

About New Start

Our New Start jobs provide real work experience in career starter roles. 

Whether you’re looking for your first job, or you want to change your career path, New Start will get your foot in the door.

Working with local employers, we've created a range of exciting opportunities. These five month, paid placements include ongoing employment wraparound support.  

More than just a job

New Start roles offer much more than just a paid job for five months


You will receive 121 support from an Employment Advisor during the recruitment process and your fixed term role. This will help you get the most of your experience and help you jump into your next role. 

Pre-recruitment Support 

  • 121 advice and support with a qualified Employment Advisor to explore the right role for you, and to give you interview prep support.  
  • Help breaking down any barriers or concerns to applying for the roles, such as childcare, travel, confidence. 

In Work Support 

  • Dedicated New Start Advisor  
  • Development Days to cover things such as: skills matching, real-time feedback from managers, job searching/ horizon scanning.  
  • Qualification – you will have the opportunity to undertake a free qualification linked to your job role, and your career aspirations. You will be given the time and support to complete this role during your 5 months.

The recruitment process

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:


If you're interested in applying for one of the roles, Contact us now to arrange your appointment with our employability advisor or book a slot at an Information Event.

  1. Attend workshops to prepare for the application and interviews
  2. You will then be invited to a 121 slot with the employer so you can get to know each other, and see if the role is a good fit for you.
  3. You will be contacted within 48 hours if you are successful in the role! 

Frequently Asked Questions


Each role will last five months and will be up to 30 hours per week (hours can be flexible and can work around you).

You'll be paid National Living Wage. 

To view the current rates please visit www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

New Start roles are only open to social housing customers of Tyne Housing, Gentoo Group, North Star Housing, Your Homes Newcastle, Karbon Homes, Home Group, Livin Housing, Bernicia, believe housing, Beyond Housing, Oasis Community Housing and Thirteen Group.

They are open to all social housing tenants of Bernicia, Karbon Homes, Your Homes Newcastle and North Tyneside Housing.

These roles have been specifically created for residents of Tees Valley (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Redcar, Hartlepool and Cleveland).


You need to either be in receipt of sickness related benefits, or not claiming any benefits at all.

These are in partnership with Thirteen Group, Beyond Housing, North Star and Home Group as part of the Move Forward programme.

We have created roles specifically for a target group (claiming sickness related benefits or not in work and not in receipt of benefits). If you are eligible, you will have your initial appointments with an Employment Advisor from Thirteen Group or Beyond Housing (depending where you live).

We are a partnership of Housing providers - Tyne Housing, Gentoo Group, North Star Housing, Your Homes Newcastle, Karbon Homes, Home Group, Livin Housing, Bernicia, believe housing, Beyond Housing, Oasis Community Housing and Thirteen Group. We have multiple roles available across the region and they are open to customers who live in any of the partners properties.

There is different criteria for the different roles due to funding. However, roles that are currently live in Northumberland, Newcastle or North Tyneside are open to anyone who lives in a social housing property; whether you are working and looking for a career change, unemployed or you’ve been out of work for a long time due to health, disability or caring responsibilities for example.

New Start is a supported recruitment process, creating roles that are not available in any other way.

The application process is therefore through engagement with our New Start team, attending events, workshops and 121 appointments.

Step 1: Book your slot at an Information Event on 10 April 

Step 2: Book your 121 appointment with a New Start advisor

Step 3: Attend a CV and Cover letter workshop

Step 4: Attend Interview Preparation Session w/c 6 May

Step 5: Interview time! w/c 13 May

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