Continued CatZero partnership strengthens social mobility drive

Sewell Group and Humber-based charity, CatZero go back many years – with a partnership that started when the charity was established to build an employment programme aligned with sailing.

From the start of their journey, Sewell Group has supported with creating their first home on Hull Marina, delivered school programmes and supported work experience opportunities for young people, and has now signed up to be a Mainsail Partner for the next two years.

CatZero is a charity dedicated to the support of people of all ages, including young people and families, helping them into employment or training. In 2021, Sewell Group welcomed 11 participants to undertake a month of paid work across its businesses to give them valuable experience in a bid to help them into the job market. Eight of these 11 went on to secure jobs shortly after and all talked about what a difference the project made to their lives.

Inspired by the ongoing work of the charity and how it aligns with the company’s social mobility drive, this renewed partnership will see young people participate in work experience and create volunteering opportunities for staff.

Pete Tighe, Partnership and Development Manager at CatZero said:

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Sewell Group, a relationship that has been part of CatZero’s story for a number of years now.

“Over the next two years, Sewell Group will join us as a Mainsail Partner, supporting our work with young people across the Humber who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Together, we will help them build the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to move into sustained employment and brighter futures.

“This partnership will open up real opportunities for our Hull based participants, including workplace visits, work placements and bespoke development experiences. It will also provide Sewell employees with the chance to engage directly in our mission through volunteering and restorative practice sessions.

“Our shared commitment to social mobility and community impact makes this renewed partnership especially meaningful.

“A huge thank you to everyone at Sewell Group for their continued belief in CatZero and for helping us change lives across our region.”

The first initiative under the partnership will be work placements for young people age 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) who will join different teams across the group for short placements in areas they are particularly interested in.

Jo Barnes, Sewell Group Managing Director, said: “Supporting social mobility has always been part of our business strategy and building on our Queen’s Award in 2021, we pledged to boost opportunities through our GATEway programme, which is focused on communities where we work that are most in need of support. This latest partnership with CatZero will build upon the brilliant work they do across the Humber region, and we hope to take some of these ideas to other areas across the country that we work in.”