Signposting Service

All information on this page was correct at the date it was published. If you find any information which is incorrect, or if you have any other useful weblinks that you would like to share with others please email ben.dickenson@homelesslink.org.uk. Homeless Link is not responsible for the content of any external websites.

Drugs & Alcohol | Employment Schemes | Funding Sources | Meaningful Occupations | Regional Info Sites | Skills & Training | Voluntary Sector Organisations

Drugs & Alcohol

See the resources section of our drugs and alcohol page.

• Lifeline - provide advice, information and support around drug & alcohol use and harm minimisation. Needle exchange services available locally. Contact Middlesbrough, Newcastle or Sunderland branches.
• NECA (North East Council on Addictions) - provide a whole range of services including information, resources, training and outreach services. Find your local office across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham or email NECA.

^ top

Employment Schemes

• Business in the Community - currently runs several programmes in the North East, including Marks & Start - Ready for Work that offers work experience to disadvantaged people, including those who are homeless.
• Employment & Employability - briefing by Homeless Link

^ top

Funding Sources

• Arts Council England - North East Funding - funding can be awarded to individuals or organisations.
• Community Foundation - awards grants to local groups and projects in real need across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.
• County Durham Foundation - grants to good causes across County Durham and Darlington.
• European Funding for the North East - includes all bidding information and project management documents.
• Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund - Up to £50,000 awards for capacity building and/or interfaith activity.
• Groundswell Grants Scheme - provides grants for projects that are run by homeless and ex-homeless people.
• Lloyds TSB Foundation - support and work in partnership with charitable organisations which help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or disabled.
• The Millfield House Foundation - supports projects based in Tyne & Wear seeking to improve the conditions of the most deprived people in the area.
• Northern Rock Foundation - support causes across North East and Cumbria.
• Sherburn House Charity - grants awarded within the North East of England between the rivers Tweed and Tees to aid the relief of need, hardship and distress.
• Sport England - North East Funding - sets out their priorities for funding in the North East.

For Training...

• Adult Learning Grants - up to £30 a week (means tested) for 19-30 year olds in full time education, studying towards a first level 2 or level 3 qualification. Currently in pilot in County Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear Learning & Skills Council areas.
• Learn For Free Awards - grants of up to £ 5,000 to fund learning activities in County Durham. Administered through County Durham Foundation.
• Voluntary Skills - Training Funds - lists current sources of funding for training in the North East region.

^ top

Meaningful Occupations

• Arts Council England - North East - regional information, including events, funding and projects.
• Business in the Community - currently runs several programmes in the North East, including Marks & Start - Ready for Work that offers work experience to disadvantaged people, including those who are homeless.
• Fairbridge - aims to give young people the motivation, confidence and skills they need to change their own lives, by offering outdoor activities for anyone under 25 who is out of employment, education or training. Contact your local offices Fairbridge Newcastle, Fairbridge South Tyneside and Fairbridge Teesside.
• Sport England - North East - for full lists of funding, projects and ways to get involved in sport in the North East.

^ top

Regional Info Sites

• One North East - the Regional Development Agency (RDA) covering the North East region of England.
• Project North East Group - has a voluntary sector support team that looks to aid the development of voluntary, and community sector, including their Building Capacity in Voluntary Organisations programme which looks to develop management skills of managers within the sector.
• thenortheast.com - North East England's regional information service, including links to the region's local authorities.
• Voluntary Skills - information on training and development opportunities available to people who work and volunteer in the voluntary and community sectors in the North East.

^ top

Skills & Training

• Learning & Skills Council (LSC) - there are four LSCs in the North East: County Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear.
• Maegis Training & Support - can provide 75-100% funded training places to people in receipt of housing benefit or job seekers allowance. Courses range from ICT skills to business management and administration. Contact support@maegis.com
• Open College Network (North East) - a partnership of local education and training providers from all sectors across the North East region. Operates under licence from the National Open College Network (NOCN).
• Voluntary Skills - information on training and development opportunities available to people who work and volunteer in the voluntary and community sectors in the North East.

^ top

Voluntary Sector Organisations

• HANE (Housing Action North East) - working to overcome homelessness in the North East.
• VODA (Voluntary Organisations Development Agency) - providing advice, training, information and support to volunteers, voluntary and community groups working in North Tyneside.
• VONNE (Voluntary Organisations Network North East) - the Voluntary and Community Sector regional network organisation for the North East of England.

^ top