A YORK talent development company has completed work helping two people who have been employed for a total of 25 years face brighter career prospects.

Fred Hansford and Sarah Neaves, both from York, have been supported by Beyond 2030 as part of Action Towards Inclusion, part of the Building Better Opportunities project funded by the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund.

Beyond 2030, led by founder and chief executive Toni Eastwood, is working with the duo as York’s key worker partner, part of a North Yorkshire voluntary sector partnership led by Your Consortium, in Knaresborough, that secured £7.4 million funding from January 2017 to December 2019.

Fred and Sarah were identified by Beyond 2030’s Action Towards Inclusion key worker, Richard Hawley, who met them regularly to discuss their circumstances and aspirations so a bespoke training package could be created for them.

The two have visited Beyond 2030’s Fulford offices weekly for its Beyond Tomorrow confidence building and life skills development programme, with lead trainer, Marina Rigley, and have now progressed to a Level 2 in customer service and personal development, an accredited qualification awarded through Active IQ.

Mr Eastwood said: “There is no such thing as a person without talent, just those who have had soul-destroying bad luck.

“It is a pleasure to be supporting Sarah and Fred who have lots to contribute and we hope an employer will give them the lucky break they deserve.

“Action Towards Inclusion is a badly-needed programme and we are very pleased to be assisting Your Consortium and helping make sure it is a success.”