Team history

Fairbridge Teesside was established in 1989 and has since developed a strong presence within the Tees Valley Community working with young people who fall into the NEET category or are at risk of exclusion. Expanding our outreach role has meant those young people who need us most can access our service via a range of routes whether that be through school, probation or self referral as examples.

All our staff are ‘Choice Theory’ trained helping to identify the underlying causes of behaviour. This means staff are able to:

• identify easier with client group
• understand what motivates different people
• help develop better strategies for dealing with behavioural problems
• help young people to make better choices.

Our Development Tutors collectively maintain a diverse set of qualifications, skills and talents. Our current programme includes activities such as canoeing, paddling, rafting, caving, gorge-walking, coasteering, mountaineering, mountain biking, 'beeping baby' courses, cooking and arts and crafts to name but a few!

In the first instance, our U16 and 16+ programmes aim to stabilise young people and ensure that their situation does not degenerate further. In the long term both programmes aim to provide young people with the personal and social skills needed to move into education, training or employment – and to give them the confidence and motivation to remain there.