Our Story
Over the Years
2008
2008
- Established Rhyl City Strategy Community Interest Company
- Employed first three staff
- Led DWP City Strategy pilot programme to tackle worklessness in Rhyl
- Created ‘Virtual Shop’ training facility with Llandrillo College and Rhyl Youth Action Group
- Launched new basic skills programme with Llandrillo College
- Received first Gold Small Workplace Health Award in Wales
2009
2009
- Created 322 new jobs in Conwy and Denbighshire through Future Jobs Fund
- Delivered ‘Careers Ladder’ pilot with Welsh Government
- Successful bid to set up ‘Strikers!’ basic skills centre at Rhyl Football Club
2010
2010
- Secured funding for inclusion in DWP UK pilot of the Fit for Work Service
- Published Directory of Employability Support Services
2011
2011
- Opened ‘Taste Academy’ training restaurant in Rhyl
- Delivered Intermediate Labour Market programme across Conwy and Denbighshire
2012
2012
- Set up Open Doors Recruitment Agency in Rhyl
- Launched Enterprising Solutions to support and stimulate business growth in coastal Conwy and Denbighshire
- Sponsored first PhD research student with Bangor University School of Psychology
2013
2013
- Expanded Fit for Work into Gwynedd through ESF funding
- Created 75 new Intermediate Labour Market jobs
- Launched hospitality training programme at Taste Academy
- Received Agile Nation Exemplar Employer’s Award
2014
2014
- Took part in Pilotlight programme to review business strategy
- Winner of NIACE Cymru’s Learning in the Workplace Award
2015
2015
- Launched In Work Support Service across Conwy, Denbighshire, Anglesey and Gwynedd, supported through Welsh Government and ESF funding
- Finalist in European Union’s Regiostars Awards
- Finalist in Leading Wales Business Awards ‘Social Enterprise Leader of the Year’
- Joined Living Wage Foundation
2016
2016
- Moved to new office headquarters in West Rhyl
- Opened new premises in Bangor
- Sponsored 2nd PhD research student at Bangor University
2017
2017
- Launched Boost! work-focussed positive psychology programme
- Achieved PQASSO quality mark
2018
2018
- Secured funding for In Work Support Service to 2022 from ESF through Welsh Government.
2019
2019
- Launched IWS wellbeing training programme for SME employers.
- Delivered ICAN Work pilot in partnership with BCUHB and CAIS, helping people with mental health needs into work.
2020
2020
- Switched to remote delivery in the pandemic.
- Launched support service for presentees through Moondance Foundation funding.
- Launched new In-Work Support Service in South-East Wales through WG Covid funding.
- Created Workplace Wellbeing Champions programme for SME employers.
- Winners of FSB Wellbeing Business award.
2021
2021
- Expanded In Work Support Service into Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.
- Supported 44% of ICAN Work clients into work – phase 2 funding approved
- Supported 45 young people into work through our DWP Kickstart programme
- Established in-house counselling team.
- Secured contract to deliver counselling services to BCUHB employees.
2022
2022
- Final evaluation of IWS – supported 7584 people to improve health and wellbeing at work.
- Delivered employment counselling scheme through Conwy Council.
- Launched commercial training offer.
2023
2023
- Won contract to deliver Welsh Government’s pan-Wales In Work Support Service across North, West and Southwest Wales.
- Established new teams in Pembrokeshire and Swansea Bay.