A NORTH-East charity has teamed up with a Hexham-based business networking group to strengthen its links with local businesses and spread the word about its work.

Daybreak, which has hubs in Acomb, Newcastle and Bishop Auckland, helps adults with additional needs to develop a wide range of useful life skills.

Now the charity has joined the Network B2B group that meets in Hexham on Tuesday mornings. It is hoping that this link will enable it to make valuable connections with local businesses.

Steven Turnbull, who runs the Hexham B2B group, is excited to have Daybreak on board.

“Network B2B is a very supportive environment, where business referrals are made on the basis of our members knowing, liking and trusting each other,” he said.

“I’m sure the other members of the group will be doing all they can to support Daybreak in forging links with new businesses.”

Members of Daybreak have become familiar faces at Hexham’s railway station during recent school holidays, as they’ve been busy running the Whistle Stop refreshment kiosk.

This has involved them in everything from shopping for ingredients and baking cakes and biscuits in their training bakery, to developing their customer service and money-handling skills.

In addition, a recent partnership with Costa Coffee has provided valuable work experience placements for 10 Daybreak members, two of whom have been offered paid employment as a result.

Development manager at Daybreak Adam Bird said: “Our aim is to achieve good life outcomes for every individual we work with. This involves providing training not only in transferable work skills, but also in ‘softer’ skills, such as self confidence and communication.

“Very sadly, only six per cent of people with additional needs in this country are in work. Part of our aim is to help people into work with companies who are willing to give them a chance, as Costa has. Being able to link up with Network B2B is a really exciting opportunity for us to develop this initiative further.”

Megan Ward, transformation project worker at Daybreak, revealed that the charity will soon be changing its name to Journey Enterprises Ltd.