TNG have developed a number of valuable partnerships across Merseyside, providing placement opportunities for unemployed individuals to improve and update their skills to assist them to find sustainable employment.

In Birkenhead, TNG have been working with the charity Extracare which provides activities for the elderly, promoting a healthier lifestyle and encouraging longer life. While on placement at Extracare, TNG customers are trained to use the till, cleaning and tagging cloths and cash handling.

Among others who have been on placement at Extracare is Samantha, 21 from West Kirby. She had previous experience in a retail environment in 2004 but since having a baby she had not worked. Keen to get off benefits, she joined TNG on the New Deal programme where she got the opportunity to gain further experience by working at Extracare. Her time at Extracare demonstrated that she could get back into a working environment and she is confident that the experience will help her get back into a full time job in the near future so she can take care of her family and their future.

Glynis, from Birkenhead, had also taken time out of work to look after her children before joining TNG. Her placement at Extracare has improved her confidence, and she thoroughly enjoyed working within a team in a retail environment. She enjoyed her time on placement so much that she continues to volunteer at the shop while applying for a full time job in a retail environment.

In May this year, TNG staff organised a fun day fundraiser as a team building exercise alongside the volunteers. The day involved fancy dress, a sponsored leg wax, a face painting stall, hair braiding stall and a home baking stall. Tanya Carter, who was put on placement at Extracare after two weeks on programme with TNG said

"It was a really good day, it helped all the staff bond and work as a team. I am learning so much at my placement which will definitely help me into a paid retail position. TNG and my Extracare placement have helped me very much and I look forward to finding work very soon."

The day was an overwhelming success and nearly £200 was raised for the charity.