Partner Article

TEDxTeesside Partner Champions Inclusive Employment Through Bold Action

TEDxTeesside 2025 wrapped up recently, but the conversations it started about tech, innovation and community change are still going strong across the North East and globally - with TEDx talks reaching over 34million subscribers daily. The annual event in Tees Valley, built on the belief that ideas change everything, brings together people who don’t just talk about transformation, they’re actually doing it.

Take Alison Stephenson, Managing Director of AAA Caring Caretaker. Their North East business provides cleaning, maintenance, and removal services, but what makes them stand out is how they’ve put inclusive employment at the heart of everything they do. It’s not just good business it’s proof that when you build inclusion into your company from the ground up, everyone wins.

As a TEDxTeesside partner, Alison goes beyond just providing great service to her clients (from private landlords to NHS trusts). She’s creating real job opportunities for disabled people, veterans, and others who often get overlooked. Her approach turns traditional hiring on its head, and the results speak for themselves.

We caught up with Alison to talk about what drives her passion for inclusive employment and get her practical advice for employers who want to stop talking and start acting.

Interested in TEDxTeesside 2026? Join their mailing list to hear first when speaker applications open and tickets go on sale.

1. What made you want to support TEDxTeesside? What aligned with your values?

I wanted to support TEDxTeesside because it represents everything I believe in — sharing ideas that inspire action and drive change. At AAA Caring Caretaker, our mission is to create opportunities for everyone to thrive, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance. TEDxTeesside’s focus on innovation, inclusivity, and community empowerment aligns perfectly with our company values.

It’s a space that celebrates diverse voices and challenges barriers, which mirrors what we strive to do every day in inclusive employment — ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be seen, valued, and supported.

2. What’s your dream for employment in our region? If you could wave a magic wand, what would inclusive employment look like here?

My dream is for every employer in our region to see inclusion not as an initiative, but as the foundation of how they operate. If I could wave a magic wand, every workplace would be designed with accessibility and belonging built in, where neurodiverse individuals, veterans, disabled people, and those from all walks of life have equal opportunity to contribute their talents.

Inclusive employment would mean fairness in process, flexibility in practice, and a culture that values people for what they can do, not what they can’t. My message has always been simple: you can teach a skill, but you can’t teach motivation. People who are desperate for inclusive employment are often the most motivated; they just need the right environment to thrive and someone willing to train them. Sometimes, training someone from the start is easier than trying to mould someone with built-in habits.

That’s the vision: a region where inclusion isn’t the exception — it’s the norm.

3. Making employment truly inclusive requires daring to challenge the status quo. What’s the biggest bold move your organisation has taken?

Our boldest move was committing to become a Disability Confident Leader and embedding inclusion into every aspect of our operations — from recruitment to promotion. We didn’t wait for legislation to tell us to act; we built systems that empower people with disabilities, veterans, and underrepresented groups to succeed.

We also created partnerships with organisations like Durham Enable and the DWP to provide real employment pathways. Our recruitment philosophy reflects our values — you can teach a skill, but you can’t teach motivation. We’ve found that people who are eager for opportunity often bring exceptional drive and commitment. We dared to redefine what “capable” looks like in facilities management, and the results speak for themselves.

4. For employers reading this who want to move from good intentions to actual action — what’s the first thing they should DO tomorrow?

Start by listening. Speak to your teams, especially those whose voices are often overlooked. Then review one policy or process that might unintentionally exclude someone, it could be your recruitment wording, workplace layout, or interview style. Change just one thing tomorrow that removes a barrier.

Inclusion starts with awareness, but it grows through action.

5. How do you think events like TEDxTeesside contribute to changing conversations around inclusion and accessibility?

TEDxTeesside provides a powerful platform for storytelling and stories change hearts before they change systems. When people hear real experiences of inclusion and exclusion, they begin to see the world differently. Events like this spark conversations that ripple through workplaces, leadership teams, and communities.

They remind us that inclusion isn’t just a policy, it’s a mindset. And that mindset begins with listening, empathy, and courage to do things differently.

6. What would you say to someone who has a dream about making their workplace more inclusive but doesn’t know how to dare to take the first step?

I’d say: start small, but start now. You don’t need all the answers, you just need the courage to ask the right questions. Reach out to inclusive employers for advice, listen to lived experiences, and learn from others who’ve walked the path.

Remember, you can teach a skill, but you can’t teach motivation and the people you open your doors to will often surprise you with their passion and potential. Many just need the right environment and a leader who believes in giving them a chance. Progress is made by those who dare to take the first imperfect step.

Inclusion isn’t a destination, it’s a journey and every journey begins with one brave decision to do better.

You can explore the TEDxTeesside TEDx talks here.

You can join the mailing list for tickets and speaker applications here.

You can find out more about AAA Caring Caretakers here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by TEDxTeesside .