Our Impact

At High Tide Foundation, we believe in ‘Opportunity for Everyone’, and we are committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of young people across Tees Valley. Our mission is to raise aspirations, unlock potential, change perceptions, and create meaningful connections between students and local employers.

By partnering with local schools and businesses, we provide students with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. These real-world experiences not only raise their aspirations but also help them to see a future where anything is possible, regardless of their circumstances.

Testimonials

“This has been so educational, not only for the students but also the teachers; I had no idea of what really went on down here. This is great knowledge that I can take back with me and share with the other colleagues and students.”

Teacher, Middlesbrough

"It was very informative and was definitely worth every minute. The speakers and staff were very kind and helped us all build a better understanding of the world of engineering. This was an insight I doubt I could have gotten anywhere else."

Year 7 Student, Redcar

“I am grateful for the help and life changing experience High Tide have gave me and believe that I wouldn’t have got this chance anywhere else. I believe that without high tide I would have never received or had an opportunity to gain valuable experience and knowledge”

Year 6 Student, Middlesbrough

“My experience with High Tide provided me with amazing opportunities and allowed me to meet very influential people who have helped me to gain confidence as well as skills I will take with me for the rest of my life."

Year 6 Student, Middlesbrough

Start to finish there was loads of enthusiasm from the employees and the students! Really fun to be a part of this!

Age 17, 5-day VWEX (Engineering)

I enjoyed the work experience, I learnt new skills on how to write my CV and what employers look for.

Age 13, Discovery day (Employability)

Very informative, useful tips about business skills and life skills, and also how to present yourself in public and in work.

Age 15, Insight Day (Business)

Very valuable to have people from a finance company come talk to us and being provided with reliable answers. I also like how they helped us when it comes to real life situations. E.g. interviews.

Age 17, 3-day VWEX (Finance)

I loved my placement. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. The people were lovely and I gained skills and more confidence.

Age 16, Insight day (Law)

It was the best experience ever!

Age 15, 3-day VWEX (Maritime)

I thought the placement was very insightful and helped me broaden my mind to new options within the industry that I didn't know existed. Overall I would do it again.

Age 14, Insight Day (Law)

It was interesting and provided lots of useful information

Age 15, Insight day (Maritime)

It was incredibly useful and engaging, it made me want to find out more about certain industries. The speakers were extremely knowledgeable and Lauren from the High Tide Foundation was very helpful too.

Age 14, Insight day (Business)

Very informative placement which gave me a handful of great information regarding branding and the theory behind it in the media industry. The hands-on work after was fantastic for allowing us to further solidify what we had learnt so far whilst also seeing what others had created as well!

Age 14, 3-day VWEX (Creative)

I thought that the talk was good and insightful into what I want to do in the future and that is in the media industry and I’m happy that they gave us some options that weren’t just university

Age 16, Insight Day (Creative)

It was very interesting to learn about what sectors Jacobs are linked with and what the different sectors do.

Age 17, Jacobs 5-day VWEX

This placement had helped me gain a good insight into the world of work. I am quite new to this and I got a good taster into what I'll have to do in order to become more employable

Age 13, Discovery Day (Employability)

I thought the placement was a good idea and definitely made me more confident. It also helped understand different skills and definitely gave me more experience in the industry

Age 14, Insight Day (business)

The programme has inspired me because I thought Engineering was just for boys but now I know that girls are able to exact same jobs as men.

Age 11, Discovery Day (Creative)

I thought you’d have to leave the area to get a job as a filmmaker but, because of High Tide, I’m now doing that in my home town. It's just the best.

Age 15, 3-day VWEX (Business)

Before I did the High Tide work experience programme I didn’t really know anything about job opportunities in Tees Valley. Now I know what I want to do and High Tide has helped me get there.

Age 16, 5-day placement (Business)

Because of High Tide I now know that I want to get an apprenticeship with a local company and be an Engineer.

Age 14, Insight Day (Engineering)

I am grateful for my visit and experience; I now know my career aims and what I need to do to get there. Some of my best memories are because of High Tide and I would recommend it to all young people.

Age 15, Port to Port (Maritime)

My experience has provided me with amazing opportunities and allowed me to meet very influential people who have helped me to gain confidence and skills that I can take with me for the rest of my life.

Age 15, 3-day VWEX (Business)

The experience has increased my ambition and motivated me to pursue my career. Thanks to meeting a variety of people, I am now reassured that despite your background, as long as you’re hard working you can succeed in your career.

Age 15, Insight Day (Law)

I always thought going straight to university after college was the best option, however after speaking to young people in the workplace, I’m now likely to consider an apprenticeship after college and gaining the experience.

Age 13, Discovery Day (Maritime)

I have seen the jobs that people do and the places where they work; I have seen how valuable the River Tees is to our area and how important the port is to the region and the country.

Age 14, Shipping Cadetship

My experience was life-changing, as I now know how many jobs are available right on my doorstep.

Age 16, 5-day VWEX (Business)

It has made me confident that engineering is the area of work I would like to follow. Personally, I don’t think I could have found this experience elsewhere.

Age 16, Jacobs 5-day VWEX

“The programme has made me more aware of what businesses look for and the benefits of both educational and apprenticeship routes.”

Age 15, Insight Day (Employability)


Want to find out more?

If you’d like to get involved with High Tide, please call Lauren on 07834 176945 or drop us an email at lauren@hightidefoundation.co.uk.

33,500

Students supported since 2012
with life-changing industry-led work experience programmes and enrichment events

28,000

Hours of engagement with employers
connecting students directly with people in various job roles for real-life career experiences

750

Business members involved
from a range of sectors who co-designed and delivered our industry-led career programmes

"“This has been so educational, not only for the students but also the teachers; I had no idea of what really went on down here. This is great knowledge that I can take back with me and share with the other colleagues and students.”"

Teacher, Middlesbrough

""It was very informative and was definitely worth every minute. The speakers and staff were very kind and helped us all build a better understanding of the world of engineering. This was an insight I doubt I could have gotten anywhere else.""

Year 7 Student, Redcar

"“I am grateful for the help and life changing experience High Tide have gave me and believe that I wouldn’t have got this chance anywhere else. I believe that without high tide I would have never received or had an opportunity to gain valuable experience and knowledge”"

Year 6 Student, Middlesbrough

"“My experience with High Tide provided me with amazing opportunities and allowed me to meet very influential people who have helped me to gain confidence as well as skills I will take with me for the rest of my life.""

Year 6 Student, Middlesbrough

"Start to finish there was loads of enthusiasm from the employees and the students! Really fun to be a part of this!"

Age 17, 5-day VWEX (Engineering)

"I enjoyed the work experience, I learnt new skills on how to write my CV and what employers look for."

Age 13, Discovery day (Employability)

Our Corporate Partners

Casper Shipping
Jacksons Law Firm
PD Ports