Common concerns

Here's a list of questions that we handle regularly. Maybe you can save yourself some hunting by finding an answer right here!

1. What do you do?
2. Are you part of the council?
3. Where are you exactly?
4. Can I hire a room?
5. How can you help me find work?
6. Can I join a course right now?
7. When do courses start?
8. What if the course I want is not available?
9. How much do courses cost?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

We do all kinds of things aimed at helping local people improve themselves. We run courses to help local people learn new skills and we have a Jobshop offering help into work.

We do a lot of computer courses, from absolute beginners to fairly complicated desktop publishing. Then there's the craft and leisure courses. They run from aromatherapy through yoga and pottery, ending up somewhere about stained glass.

The Jobshop staff in reception can help you find work in many different ways, CV preparation and updating, faxing applications and friendly advice being just three.

We run after-school clubs for both primary and secondary-age children. There are a number of user groups based in the centre, including carpet bowls and "Golden Oldies". Rounding everything off are the playgroup/creche and the canteen, so you don't need to be on a course to find something useful here.

ARE YOU PART OF THE COUNCIL?

The building is owned by the council but leased to us. The Richard Hind Centre is actually a separate organisation and a registered charity.

WHERE ARE YOU EXACTLY?

Near the Stockton end of Yarm Road. Just the Stockton side of the Hartburn junction. Coming North into Stockton, go over the bridge at the junction, take the first right (Richardson Road), and then the first left into our car park. There's a set of traffic lights on Yarm Road directly in front of the centre.

We have a whole series of maps to guide you in. Visit the Getting Here section to take a peek.

CAN I HIRE A ROOM?

Of course you can! Reception will be able to tell you what is available. Current prices start at £10 per hour.

HOW CAN YOU HELP ME FIND WORK?

There's loads of things we can do. Firstly, we can compile your CV and give you a few copies. We'll keep it on file and you can come to get it updated whenever you like.

Then you can browse the latest list of vacancies that we get from the Jobcentre. If you find something, you can make a phone call or fax an application through.

We can sometimes pay travel expenses for long-distance interviews and we can always offer advice on what else to try. We do more too. Visit the "Jobsearch Help" page or ask at reception.

CAN I JOIN A COURSE RIGHT NOW?

What? Right now, while you are on the internet? Unfortunately not.

Enrolling for a course means a visit to reception. There are strict limits on the number of students that we can accept on each course and places are filled on a first-come first-served basis. If you show an interest before enrolments actually start we will put your name on an interest list and then remind you to pop in once enrolments begin.

WHEN DO COURSES START?

The majority of courses begin in September and again in January or February. Some courses are only on during the summer months.

Some courses are "rolling" and start again the week after the previous group finish. Please contact reception to find out which courses these are and when the next session starts.

WHAT IF THE COURSE I WANT IS NOT AVAILABLE?

Well, you might find it available elsewhere but if not we'll do our best to rustle up some interest so that we can put it on. Obviously this process takes time, if it happens at all. However, if you don't ask, you won't get.

HOW MUCH DO COURSES COST?

That depends on a number of things like the type of course you want and how advanced it is. If you receive certain benefits your course may very well be free.

Find out more by clicking here.