News

“The possibility of the dream gives strength.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita, founder of Smart Youth Volunteers Foundation Sharing bold plans and ideas with friends and family can sometimes provoke a concerned look and a "are you sure that's a good

Routed firmly as an 1000 year old Japanese ideology, Ikigai translates to life "iki" and "gai" value/worth. Associated long life expectancy, motivation and raison d'être, the model is an excellent way of finding out how your passion and skills can

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Isaac Newton However large or small we think we are; we all have something unique to bring to new conversations. People inspire people every day, and we believe it is this

Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration" - Thomas A. Edison. Never giving up and being persistent until you get your ‘yes’ can be challenging. We know at FIRST that staying motivated can be tough, especially when you are working from home…so

"Creativity is simply connecting new dots in new ways" - Sam Horn - The Intrigue Expert & TedX speaker Entrepreneurs are known for thinking outside the box, finding solutions to problems, brainstorming new ideas and having the confidence to

"Passion, creativity, and resilience are the most crucial skills in business. If you’ve got those, you’re ready to embark on the journey." - Jo Malone, Founder of Jo Malone As the world gradually comes to grips with the impact of the pandemic and

Operations Manager Full time, permanent contract with 3-month probationary period £26,000 - £32,000 per annum (based on experience) Immediate start date Intro: FIRST (www.firstnetwork.co) is a leading learning and development agency for

On 9th April we celebrated our 6th Birthday with the staff team and our incredible advisory board. Amongst the party games and questionable headgear it was also a time of reflection on what had been achieved and the impact we'd had for young people,

Welcome to the April edition of TALK This month's theme: Givers, gain... “Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. it works best, however, when emphasising the 'give' part.” Bob Burg - The

PLASTECH Innovation, a startup and joint venture with Durham University developing plastic aggregates made entirely from post-consumer waste plastic, has been awarded first prize at the If We Can You Can Challenge’s (IWCYC) ‘Ones to Watch’

NatWest Bank has pledged its support as a partner of the region’s only startup business competition open to all sectors, the If We Can You Can Challenge (IYCWC). In light of the new collaboration, IWCYC will run its first networking event solely

The If We Can You Can Challenge (IWCYC) has announced that Teesside University will support their ‘Ones to Watch’ award. The ‘Ones to Watch’ award is given to a start-up business that is tipped to achieve great things in the next 12

Budding North East businesspeople have been tapping into the knowledge of experienced entrepreneurs for advice at a special networking event organised as part of the 2019 If We Can You Can Challenge Around 25 participants in this year’s Challenge

Two North East startups, Heartwood Skills CIC and SwitchAid have been voted as the winners of the If We Can You Can Challenge 2019. SwitchAid, a not-for-profit, comparison site, was presented with the award for Highest Growth Potential while

Wow! Did November even happen? It's always a high impact and busy month for FIRST, as education and business celebrate outstanding entrepreneurs in the If We Can You Can Challenge. 'Huge congratulations' to the 2019 award winners: Highest Growth

We hope business is booming and that the only thing scary in October was your next door neighbour's kids demanding sweets!  As we step into November, may your month start with a bang as we move into the season of dinners, charity balls and award

In this recording our co founder Charlotte Windebank speaks to Harlands Accountants and shares the story of FIRST, how the founders met, lessons learnt, current projects and future plans! A whirlwind in business; from spicy tuna sandwiches to 5 year

Batley and Windebank – it’s a serious business is a podcast unlike any other business podcast. We’re best friends, business owners and now podcasters! We will delve into the world of commerce and shine a light on life and entrepreneurship in the

Over one hundred businesses in the region have partnered with FIRST Breakthrough to provide training and job opportunities to those aged 14 to 30 to strengthen the local economy Every year, thousands of young people leave the North East in order

OUR AIM AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE IT! FLYING SPARKS is a project that’s aim is to support people from in and around Newcastle to make positive steps towards employment whilst taking part in a 16 week long, Level 2 Welding and Fabrication

Flaming June! Half way through the year and it's supposed to be our hottest month! Whatever happens to the weather we hope it’s a ‘hot month’ for you and continues to be for the region’s young people wanting to access their first job and the range of

  The North East has one of the lowest startup rates in the country. To quote leading academic Professor Sharon Mavin: ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’. The If We Can You Can Challenge exists to shine a spotlight on the region’s

The growing FIRST team doesn’t usually blow its own trumpet, but because of the difference it’s making to young people’s lives – across all areas of work – it’s time for a bit of a fanfare! As part of our work experience programme with

Spring may not have officially sprung, but the FIRST team has certainly jumped to action since the start of the year. Funded through Northumberland College, European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency, the temporary work-placement scheme that

2019 has begun! Every new year provides a fresh start, but this year FIRST is building on some strong foundations across its three work areas. 2018 witnessed a record-breaking year for the If We Can You Can Challenge as it celebrated its

The Chronicle & Journal is encouraging us all to #Invest in the North East to make the region a better place to live and work and here at FIRST we’re doing exactly that! The FIRST team were represented at the High Sheriff of North Tyneside's

March on! #PressforProgress – International Women’s Day will soon be with us! How appropriate then that the female-led First Face to Face Board and team is finding its stride to help ambitious start-up businesses and the North East’s young people