Background Information
Pathways was formed in November 1998 when Connections (an adult education provider) and Partnership Employment (a supported employment project) amalgamated to attract Social Inclusion Partnership funding in the former Great Northern Partnership area. Both organisations previously had city-wide remits, although under SIP funding work necessarily became concentrated on the Fersands, Middlefield, Printfield and Tillydrone area.
An IT Support service was added in 2000, working under contract to deliver IT support to the GNP, its funded projects and latterly the GNP Community Partners.
In May 2002, Pathways amalgamated with Great Northern Community Enterprise, bringing Middlefield Breakfast Club under Pathways’ management.
In November 2002 a counselling service was then added, initially through GNP funding, which expanded when NHS Grampian funding was secured through the Health Improvement Fund.
Finally, in August 2003 a gardening service was set up as a social enterprise with start-up funding from the Great Northern Partnership.
Funding is primarily received from the Community Regeneration Fund, although additional funding is also received NHS Grampian through the Health Improvement Fund. In addition, 2 community businesses which generate income have also been introduced, one providing IT services and the other a gardening business.
As services have expanded, the organisation has increased its staffing level, from an initial 2 permanent staff, to the current 12 permanent staff, of which 2 are full time. In the past 2 years, Pathways has employed 9 local people.
Pathways also moved into new premises at 26b Manor Avenue in September 2002.
Since it’s inception in 1998 a number of new services have been developed and these, along with the community education and jobsearch services are detailed in this site.