Northern Rock Foundation

A SCHEME to save homeless teenagers from a life on the streets has been given a kick-start thanks to cash donated by the Northern Rock Foundation. The Foundation, which is an independent charity aiming to help disadvantaged people in the North East and Cumbria, has awarded £106,366 to Barnardos Crash Pad project, part of its Supported Lodgings scheme.

Supported Lodgings was set up to provide accommodation for young people, who might otherwise be homeless after family break-ups or disputes, with householders who offer them a bedroom, full use of their home and various levels of practical and emotional support.

During this time Barnardos mediates between the youngster and their family and, if a return home is out of the question, arranges suitable longer term accommodation.

The grant from the Northern Rock Foundation will provide a third of the money needed to fund an extension of the Supported Lodgings project called Crash Pad to provide short-term emergency accommodation for vulnerable youngsters with host families for up to eight weeks.

Hundreds of young people face homelessness every year in the North East following family fallouts or release from council care.

Adam French was just 14 when he ran away from home after a row with his mother and stepfather.

“I spent a month sleeping on the streets in Seaton Delaval,” he said. “And then Barnardos stepped in and found me a place to live.”

“They got in touch with a mate’s mum and offered to support her if she took me in. If they hadn’t done that I’ve no idea what would have happened to me.”

Now an apprentice mechanic with a North Shields firm, the 18-year-old said: “By giving me a home Barnardos gave me a chance to make something of myself – they gave me security.”

Angela Robinson, Media and Communications Manager at Barnardos North East, said: “There is a very real need for the Crash Pad scheme if we are to prevent young people descending into a downward spiral all through want of a roof over their heads.

“The grant from the Northern Rock Foundation has gone a long way to enabling us to provide this emergency accommodation scheme.”

The grant is just one of 17, worth a combined total of more than £1m, made by the Northern Rock Foundation in the last grant round to organisations which help people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, homeless, living in poverty or are victims of crime or discrimination.

Full List of all awards

Ends

For further information contact Hilary Florek 0191 285 7100 or 07831 552624 hilary@hilaryflorekpr.co.uk