NEWS

Oceander CIC covers the Sunderland and South Tyneside region, providing suitable temporary accommodation for vulnerable people in need.

They joined the Sunderland Supply Chain Programme, delivered by RTC North, to strengthen strategic direction, operational planning and long‑term sustainability as a mission‑led organisation delivering complex and person‑centred support.  

The engagement aimed to help the organisation move from delivery‑led growth to a more structured, resilient operating model by clarifying future direction, strengthening governance and quality processes, and building confidence to engage with public‑sector commissioners, partners and funders. 

Through the support delivered by RTC North, their adviser and Sunderland Supply Chain Project Manager, Lesley Hawke, provided tailored one‑to‑one support focused on strengthening strategic direction, operational planning and long‑term sustainability. This support included structured strategy sessions and a gap analysis to identify priority areas for development and growth. Lesley also helped the organisation clarify its future direction through strategic planning discussions and the development of a delivery planner, with practical guidance on next steps. In addition, Lesley coordinated and oversaw third-party specialist input, ensuring external support aligned with the organisation’s objectives and signposted relevant partners, networks, and stakeholders to support future delivery and resilience. 

A key strand of support explored strategy and potential new markets, focusing on how their current offer could respond to the needs of the growing veteran community in the region. Lesley highlighted their crucial work by inviting the team to attend the Mayor of Sunderland Ball 2026 as part of the RTC North table, helping them make new connections and raise the profile of their work. 

In addition, ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials were identified as critical to supporting Oceander’s long‑term sustainability and growth as a mission‑led organisation working with vulnerable individuals and public‑sector partners. ISO 9001 strengthens governance, consistency and quality assurance, enabling the CIC to evidence robust processes, safeguarding and continuous improvement as it scales delivery and engages with commissioners and funders. 

Cyber Essentials supports this by improving data protection and digital resilience, reducing operational risk when handling sensitive personal information and meeting baseline requirements for partnership working with local authorities, health bodies and defence‑adjacent veteran organisations. Together, these accreditations underpin Oceander CIC’s credibility and resilience, strengthening its ability to secure future funding and partnerships while maintaining high‑quality social impact. 

Lesley Hawke, Sunderland Supply Chain Project Manager at RTC North, commented: 

“Over the past eight months, working alongside Oceander CIC has been genuinely meaningful. From the outset, our relationship was built on trust, openness, and a shared commitment to delivering real change within the community.  

Supporting the team to shape a strong community strategy was about more than future‑proofing the organisation — it was about ensuring their projects are rooted in local understanding, community buy‑in, and long‑term sustainability. That work is critical in preventing good initiatives from failing and in making sure support reaches those who truly need it.  

Oceander CIC deliver real‑life, meaningful solutions every day, and it was important to support this project because of the tangible impact it has on people, communities, and long‑term outcomes across Sunderland.” 

Matthew Blair-Vincent, Director of Security at Oceander CIC commented: 

“The support has helped us take a step back from the day-to-day and look properly at where Oceander CIC is going next. As an organisation working with vulnerable people, we have grown through delivery and need, but this support has helped us put more structure around our strategy, governance, quality systems and future opportunities. 

“The work around ISO 9001, Cyber Essentials, operational planning and new partnership opportunities has been particularly valuable. It has given us a clearer direction and more confidence when speaking with commissioners, funders and public sector partners. 

Lesley and the team have understood what we are trying to achieve from the outset. Their support has been practical, honest and focused on helping us build something sustainable that can continue to deliver real impact across Sunderland, South Tyneside and the wider North East.” 

Future growth plans include exploring links with HMP Northumberland and local veteran groups, such as Veterans in Crisis Sunderland, to better understand and support the veteran community across the North East. This insight will strengthen service design, enable more targeted interventions, and support long-term impact in the local community. 

RTC North is a Certified B Corporation and employee‑owned organisation, reflecting its long‑standing commitment to using business as a force for good. This people‑first model ensures the organisation is governed in line with its purpose, values, and regional mission, with ownership held on behalf of its employees and a strong focus on long‑term impact. 

Working with a wide range of partners including local authorities, universities, and the private sector, RTC offers expert advice in areas such as business growth, digital transformation, commercialisation, skills development, and internationalisation. RTC is committed to fostering enterprise, driving innovation, and empowering businesses to achieve sustainable and inclusive success across the North of England. 

Support is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £900 million of funding for local investment in 2025/26. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: 2025/26 technical note - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)