Ocean3D - North East

21/09/2026

Well... last week was a very busy affair - and one brim-full of "highlights" - that I'm only just getting round to posting this now!! We've had some brilliant meetings with existing and new contacts (and have booked plenty more for the coming weeks!). But it's not been ALL fun I hasten to add... there's been a great deal of graft gone in at Ocean3D as well during the week, with Chris Wood and I putting in a lot of hard yards with technical matters and strategic planning too for the exciting times to come!

But it would be rude not to mark the week without posting a selfie opportunity - this time with the ever-effervescent Sharleen French, representing the brilliant Suitability at Thursday evening's Jobs Fair - first in a series over the next month - hosted by Newcastle United Foundation

It was great to catch up with Sharleen, and hear how work on Suitability's move to standalone premises is progressing - where they will be able to continue and build on the awesome work they do, preparing unemployed men in the North East with professional coaching and appropriate clothing (DONATIONS ALWAYS NEEDED) for job interviews 👏👏👏

Now - on to THIS week...! 🤯

14/09/2026

Well...

Little did I think when I participated in the Amazon UK Innovation Accelerator Programme back in May, that I'd be invited to attend the Awards ceremony five months later - but it's only gone and happened!

Neither did Chris Wood or I have any idea in July when this selfie was taken after the AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards ceremony that we were finalists for that I'd be back, on the opposite bank, before the year was out.

But I'm deeply chuffed to post that October 12th is when I will be at the iconic UK House of Commons, meeting with (to quote Amazon's partner Be the Business) "parliamentarians and business leaders to celebrate the success of the AIA programme and explore how to better support small businesses to innovate, boost productivity and drive sustainable economic growth across the UK."

And I, for one, can't wait.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

In an increasingly digital world, technology is central to everyday life. That's why Learning & Skills Darlington has teamed up with Teesside-based charity Furbd to provide refurbished digital devices to learners who lack access to technology.

With nine wards in Darlington among the 20% most deprived in England, and adults facing financial challenges at greater risk of missing out on opportunities to gain qualifications, develop new skills and secure better employment, tackling digital exclusion is more important than ever.

Cllr Chris McEwan, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, said: "Having access to a laptop, tablet or other digital device can make a significant difference to learners, enabling them to access course materials, complete assignments, search for jobs and build the digital skills increasingly required by employers. This new partnership is helping remove obstacles to learning, creating more opportunities for local people and helping to level up the playing field by addressing the longstanding inequalities experienced by people in our communities.”

Enrolments for Learning & Skills courses starting in 2026 are now taking place. For more information visit our website or Tel. 01325 405 601

06/09/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝘁𝗼-𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀

Uniform? New shoes? Pencil case? PE kit?

As children return to school, there’s another back-to-school checklist that may be even more important and you won’t find it in the shops.

In the latest 𝗡𝗗𝟯𝟲𝟬 𝗛𝘂𝗯 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗟𝗶𝘇 𝗗𝗮𝘆 of 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 explores what parents, carers and teachers can do to help children and young people feel safe, supported and able to thrive when they return to school.

For neurodivergent children in particular, returning after a long break can bring uncertainty around routines, teachers, friendships, expectations and sensory environments. Preparing for September therefore needs to be about much more than having the right equipment.

Drawing on her experiences as a child, teenager, parent and teacher, Liz looks at how adults can reduce some of the barriers children face and create environments where they feel understood and able to belong.

It’s a practical and thought-provoking article that encourages us to reconsider what being “ready for school” actually means.

And the best part? Many of the things on this alternative back-to-school checklist don’t cost a penny.

Discover Liz’s five practical tips in the full article in ND360 Hub Magazine:

https://nd360hub.co.uk/our-magazine/

06/09/2026

The Trailblazer Scheme is open again!

If you’re a young person who isn’t currently in employment, education or training, this is definitely an opportunity worth exploring.

We’ve had two Trailblazers join us at furbd so far, and what a difference they made. In fact, we couldn’t let them go! 🧡

It’s a great scheme that gives young people the chance to get into a real workplace, build confidence, develop new skills and discover what they’re good at.

We’d absolutely encourage any young person who’s unsure about their next step to give it a go. You never know where it might lead!

And if you’re interested in tech, sustainability and digital inclusion, we’d always be happy to welcome more Trailblazers to furbd! 🧡

https://ow.ly/mnpk50ZHCbm

Tees Valley Combined Authority Middlesbrough Council Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Darlington Borough Council

01/09/2026

Please read. And please share.

Thoughts welcome.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/accessibility-isnt-them-its-us-paul-barker-mtoqe

14/08/2026

The answer is yes. ABSOLUTELY.

Now - what was the question?

Chris Wood's insightful article in Rail Business UK.

Making rail travel more accessible - one carriage... one station - at a time.

With several train operators and station managers adopting virtualisation as a way to reassure would-be passengers about the reality of a rail journey, Chris Wood of Ocean 3D argues that the technology should be brought into the standard journey information landscape. The passenger who does not trav...

11/08/2026

Ended our week on Friday with a lovely drop-in to The Hub Consett - met with the Purple Positivity Pixie 🌈 Laura Elliot 🟢herself and enjoyed the lovely atmosphere of this wonderful, accessible community hub with a strong focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals, but where EVERYONE is made to feel welcome and included.

WELL WORTH a visit!

31/07/2026

WOW! Email [email protected] for more details.