Jarrow Forward, Jarrow’s neighbourhood board, has launched a new fund to help young people in the town find their route to a fulfilling future.
Inspired by the 90th anniversary of the world-famous Jarrow Crusade, the Jarrow March Next Step Fund aims to encourage them to find their passion, interest or potential future career path, before they leave school.
In the spirit of the 200 Jarrow Marchers, who walked to London in 1936 to petition for the right to work, the Fund aims to help young people to take control of their own future.
Unlike the wide range of employability initiatives that kick in once they leave school, it can give them a helping hand at a much earlier stage to look for and try out things they might not otherwise get the chance to do.
The barriers to achieving a fulfilling job range from not being able to afford bus fares for a work experience placement, or needing specialist tools or tuition, to simply not knowing what the options are or how to access them.
Through this Fund, today’s generation in Jarrow can have help to find out early what inspires them and what their opportunities are long before they make big choices about their next step after school.
Small grants are available to help with costs related to work experience, apprenticeships, specialist tuition, equipment, training, mentoring, attending interviews and anything else that prevents them taking that next step.
The Fund which has an initial annual allocation of £250,000 over ten years from the Government’s Pride in Place programme, will open from 12 October 2026 and is available to all young people living or attending school in Jarrow’s NE32 area. Applications will be managed by Community Foundation North East and assessed by a small panel of town, employer and school representatives, including Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East.
The idea for the Fund is rooted in the ten-year Jarrow Regeneration Plan which aims to give all children and young people a better future.
Susan Wear, Chair of Jarrow Forward Neighbourhood Board, said: “These small grants from the Next Step Fund could make a huge difference and ensure our young people don’t miss out on precious opportunities to find out what inspires them, giving them the confidence and ambition to pursue their dreams.
“Giving young people a helping hand to a fulfilling future is rooted in our wider, ten-year Jarrow Plan. This new Fund is an apt way to commemorate the Jarrow Marchers who walked not just for themselves but for their children and future generations.”
Paul Atkinson, Head Teacher of Jarrow School, said: “Young people often have clear ambitions, but small costs can stop them taking the next step. That might be travel expenses to work experience, the right clothing for an interview or tools and equipment for a course.
“This fund recognises those barriers and responds in a simple, targeted way. It will help young people explore their options and access opportunities linked to education, training or work.”
David Gardner, Principal of Tyne Coast College, said:”Early experiences can make a big difference to the choices young people make. Visiting workplaces, trying a short course or getting the right equipment can help turn an interest into a plan.
“What is important about this fund is that it reaches young people before they leave school or college at 18, when they are starting to think seriously about their future. It gives them a chance to try things out, visit workplaces, access training or get the equipment they need to take part.”
Subscribe to the Jarrow Forward newsletter to find out more.
©2026. All Rights Reserved.