Mason is first success for Aspire to Be via Pathways to Work scheme

Aspire to Be, the Doncaster-based employability service, has placed its first client in employment through its link with South Yorkshire Pathways to Work.
 
Mason Doyle, 18, from Doncaster, has secured a job working in a warehouse for Doncaster-based GXO, having previously not been in employment, education or training because of challenges with low confidence and anxiety.
 
Aspire to Be received extra funding from Pathways to Work in November 2025 to enable it to deliver a personalised employability and work simulation programme for 16-18 year olds in the city, the funding coming from the City of Doncaster Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.
 
The funding was aimed specifically at supporting young people to help them overcome challenges such as anxiety, communication, neurodiversity, mental health needs and those at risk of social inclusion and find sustainable work.
 
“I heard about Aspire to Be at a careers fair and thought I would give it a try, as I was desperate for a job,” explained Mason. “All the staff at Aspire to Be made me feel so welcome and at ease, and the simulated warehousing area was a great way for me to learn – no pen and paper!
 
“I was in a small group for the training, and we all got on and helped each other. I was offered the opportunity to go on a site visit to GXO to see the environment for myself, which was great, and the brief made sense as we walked around because of what I had learned at Aspire to Be.”
 
Mason added: “Neil Keeton from Aspire to Be gave me lots of information regarding the recruitment process and offered to assist with anything I wasn't sure about. I am happy to say I was offered a job and although I am nervous with it being my first job, I can’t wait to start. Thanks to everyone, especially Andrea Szkodon for delivering the training and Neil for setting this all up.”
 
The Pathways to Work funding ensures underrepresented residents of Doncaster benefit from sector specific skills training, personal development and employer engagement five days per week – all with the overarching aim of better meeting resident’s unique needs and driving up rates of employment.
 
Andrea Szkodon, work coach for Aspire to Be, said: “We are delighted for Mason, who really engaged with the training right from the start and was a pleasure to work with. The funding from Pathways to Work was a significant boost as it has allowed Aspire to Be to focus on the 16-19 age group in Doncaster to help people like Mason’s succeed. We want to help many more young people in the city find rewarding jobs.”
 
Based on Leger Way, Aspire to Be, which is managed by The Carr Fenton Foundation, also specialises in helping people aged 19+ from across South Yorkshire who are Deaf/hard of hearing, neurodiverse or who have any other communication difficulty, with the opportunity to develop their skills and support them into work.
 
For more information about Aspire to Be, please visit: thecarrfentonfoundation.org.uk/aspiretobe or contact: aspire-to-be@thecarrfentonfoundation.org.uk