Middlesbrough · Partner briefing · 17 October 2026
Proposed pilot: 24 adult places · £18,000 indicative budget · three four-week cohorts.
Planning assumptions, subject to quotations, community consultation and delivery agreements. No funding, partnerships or outcomes are claimed as secured.
Help adults facing barriers to work and learning try digital creativity, finish a practical project and agree a supported next step. Begin with video, branding and websites; expand the wider six-studio offer only when capacity and demand justify it.
Eight people per cohort; two three-hour sessions weekly for four weeks; a lead facilitator and assistant; shared equipment; access support allocated by need; mentoring and follow-up within 90 days of completion. Free participant places are proposed. Preparation and follow-up extend beyond the 12-week workshop window.
Initial focus: Middlesbrough residents aged 18+ who are out of work or disengaged from learning. Accessible shared premises are to be secured. The pilot does not depend on securing the larger Forge 01 building.
Reconnect delivers practical experiences and optional Community Missions. NCE Path would connect goals and evidence; HPR evaluates personal and community outcomes alongside cost. NCE Forge CIC is the intended operator, with incorporation pending. Adam Powell brings practical salon, website, content and online-selling experience; specialist delivery capacity is still to be secured.
Proposed preparation: consult at least 15 prospective participants and three referral organisations; agree accessible times and support; publish anonymised findings and involve participant representatives in programme review. This consultation is planned, not completed.
| Cost | Basis | GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Lead delivery & preparation | 120 hours × £40 | £4,800 |
| Session support & mentoring | 120 hours × £20 | £2,400 |
| Shared devices & accessories | Indicative equipment allowance | £2,400 |
| Accessible shared venue | 12 weeks × £150 | £1,800 |
| Software & connectivity | Project allowance | £1,200 |
| Participant access support | Needs-led allocation | £1,200 |
| Outreach & community design | Consultation and recruitment | £900 |
| Insurance, checks & training | Setup allowance | £900 |
| Evaluation & follow-up | Baseline, exit and 90-day review | £1,200 |
| Coordination & administration | Scheduling and partner liaison | £1,200 |
| Total | 24 planned places | £18,000 |
Includes 72 group workshop hours; shared premises; no phase-one 3D printer. Allowances should include irrecoverable VAT. Quotations and staff workload must be validated. No match funding assumed; contributions reduce the outstanding ask.
24 engaged participants; 18 completing six of eight sessions and one reviewed project; 18 agreed next-step plans; 12 verified progressions within 90 days. Verify further learning, work, enterprise tests or sustained community participation. Report missing follow-up data and count each person once overall.
Planned cost: £750 per participant; £1,500 per verified progression if the target of 12 is reached. These are scenarios, not achieved results or evidence of fiscal savings.
Confirm incorporation, venue, safeguarding responsibilities, insurance, equipment safety, privacy, staff capacity and referral routes before launch. Use refurbished/shared equipment where suitable. Evaluate before seeking repeat delivery funding or commissions. Paid services are an option to test, not forecast revenue.
Fund delivery, offer equipment or accessible space, mentor learners or develop a referral relationship. Contact hello@nceinstitute.com · nceinstitute.com