The Hope Foundation

Hope has been here for people in Middlesbrough since 1995, providing opportunities for learning, access to technology, careers advice, volunteering opportunities and support.

Our aim is to reduce disadvantage, loneliness and isolation and help people recognise their potential – because they matter. With Hope’s help many local people have gained skills and qualifications, become volunteers, found employment and made friends.

Our main services are:

Information and Advice

Sometimes it’s difficult to know what’s out there – at Hope we have National Careers advisors who can help you find what you’re looking for. We can help you assess your skills and make a plan to get you to your chosen career. We can also help you find opportunities to train, study, volunteer, find work or bag a promotion.

Whether you’re employed or unemployed, seeking work or planning for the future, we can help you get to where you should be and make sure you access the right support to help you do this. .

Training

We offer accredited qualifications in English, Maths and ICT from absolute beginner level up to Functional Skills Level 2 (GCSE equivalent).

Our learners are encouraged to take up the opportunities they have to reach their long- and their short-term goals and raise their aspirations. Most progress to further learning, volunteering or work.

We provide volunteering opportunities and work placements. 

Digital

Our aim is to improve access to online services and build people’s confidence with technology and their awareness of what is available to them; so they can not only cope, but excel in the digital world.

Focusing on the lonely and isolated, we support people in Middlesbrough to use digital devices and online services better:

• keeping them connected to friends, family and the wider community
• accessing the many services which are moving online, like GPs and government services
• accessing devices and internet connectivity
• learning new skills
• staying safe online
• using technology to help people live independently

We have a digital library from which you can loan devices to try out, a free cybercafe and a YouTube channel full of useful tutorials.

Well being & Cafe

We serve all day breakfasts, meals, snacks, soup and a meal deal.  But not only do we have great food, we also have lots going on. Our Tea & Technology drop-in, where anyone can drop in with their own devices for help, runs weekly. We have a board games on a Tuesday afternoon, a craft workshop on Thursdays, bingo on Wednesdays and a quiz on Fridays where you can come for lunch and a chat.

It's a great place to meet people and drink Rington's tea and coffee!

Keep your eye on our website to see what we’ve got going on…

The cafe is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.