Hartlepool organisation hopes to create 50 jobs for the town in 2021

Huge plans for 2021 have been revealed by The Big League and Poolie Time Exchange which wants to help people get on the employment ladder.

It plans to create up to 30 posts under a Kickstart scheme.

Ian Cawley is the manager of The Big League community interest company which PTE is a part of. He explained more.

He said the Government had approved plans for The Big League to be a partner of the Tees Valley Combined Authority from this week.

It means they can start ‘the process of recruiting up to 30 people to work for TheBigLeague CIC through the Government’s Kick Starter Scheme.”

The jobs will be with Poolie Time Exchange, Poolie Time Emporium, the Bovis Business Centre, Poolie Time Environmental, Crown Buildings and Buy Local Hartlepool.

“This helps us to fulfil one of our commitments to support people back into employment,” said Ian.

Another 12 jobs could be created through several small schemes that Poolie Time Exchange is running such as house cleaning, gardening, car valeting and conservatory guttering jobs.

But there are other plans too.

Poolie Time already has a licence to remove people’s waste but Ian added: “We are looking at a possible recycling project and looking at things which are not currently recycled in town, such as the cost of a mattress which goes to landfill. We are looking to recycle that. There are textiles, clothing and plastics as well.”

Officials are looking into fundraising so they can get the recycling project off the ground, said Ian. "Most of these projects are to create jobs and give people an opportunity.”

Poolie Time Exchange is also looking into whether it could set up a radio station.

Another plan would be to take over part of the Crown Buildings in Hartlepool, and convert them into a ‘business barracks’.

Ian explained: “We want to create a business barracks for veterans to offer them support in setting up their own business.

"The idea would see veterans who are successful then supporting other veterans so that there is a knock-on effect. It would be five to six months before we could get this up and running.”

“The intention is to create up to 50 jobs over the next 12 months.”

Poolie Time Exchange also provides lots of other support including its food donation service. It has ‘not stopped giving’ vital help to people who need meals ever since the first lockdown began but officials say the support is increasing once again during the latest pandemic restrictions.

During the first 12-week lockdown, Poolie Time Exchange made and delivered more than 13,400 meals free of charge.

As well as that, there were 8,700 bags of groceries to people shielding and the vulnerable, and it was all done by volunteers.

To find out more, visit the Poolie Time Exchange Facebook page. To donate or to ask for support from the Poolie Time Exchange, contact 07542 423360.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.