Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has today welcomed news that the Government has announced new funding for frontline homelessness charities.
The government has announced that £6 million will be made available for frontline homelessness charities. The funding will go to over 130 homelessness charities across the country to help them provide services for those that need it and those that are vulnerable – these services include providing specialist physical support and specialist mental support for those that need it during coronavirus and the funding follows a bidding process.
The funding will directly benefit North West Durham, with £18,000 being made available for Cornerstone Supported Housing and Counselling. Based in Willington, Cornerstone provides a vital service, offering emergency accommodation and semi-supported living. Cornerstone also provides a counselling services, as well as vocational training to help people get back into work – the training takes place through their factory workshop and a number of retail outlets that they work with. Both paid staff and volunteers work at Cornerstone and some of the volunteers have experience, both direct and indirect, with the criminal justice system. Cornerstone also provides family and relationship support.
Commenting, Richard said ‘I am absolutely delighted that more funding for charities has been made available and I am so pleased that Cornerstone has been recognised as one of the charities that deserves additional funding. It provides an absolutely vital service and support system for people when they need it most and the work they do is truly outstanding. During the current public health crisis, it is so important that those who are vulnerable are given the support and health that they need and this funding will be an enormous boost.’
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