Lidl Stockton-on-Tees Southern Gateway

FRESH START PROJECT CIC – Providing Hope, Safety and Fresh Starts Fresh Start Project CIC provides safe, secure accommodation and person-centred support for homeless men in Stockton-on-Tees, helping them rebuild their lives, regain stability and work towards a more independent future. We currently provide 15 supported accommodation spaces across our Portrack and Westbourne Projects. The men who come to us have many different stories. Some have been released from prison with nowhere suitable to live. Others have experienced relationship breakdowns, mental health challenges, drug or alcohol misuse, financial difficulties, or have found themselves sleeping on the streets. Our referrals come from prisons across the North East, Probation Services and local authority homelessness teams. More Than Somewhere to Sleep At Fresh Start Project CIC, we believe providing a roof is only the beginning. We work with each resident as an individual, helping them access healthcare, register with a GP and dentist, manage Universal Credit and benefits, access food banks and essential items, engage with mental health or drug and alcohol services, develop budgeting and independent-living skills, and build confidence, routine and stability. Our aim is to help each man take positive steps towards greater independence and a more secure future. People, Not Labels Homelessness can happen for many reasons. A relationship can break down. Someone can leave prison with nowhere to go. Mental health can deteriorate. Drug or alcohol misuse can take hold. Financial circumstances can change. Fresh Start Project CIC doesn't judge someone by where they've been. We work with them on where they want to go next. The men we support are not statistics. They are fathers, sons, brothers and members of our community who deserve dignity, support and another opportunity. What Support Do We Need? Many of our residents arrive at Fresh Start Project CIC with very little and live on extremely low incomes. Some rely on food banks and donations, particularly while waiting for Universal Credit or trying to make a monthly payment stretch. We are incredibly grateful for support with surplus food, toiletries, men's clothing, bedding, household essentials and other practical donations that can directly benefit our residents. We also welcome opportunities to work with local businesses, organisations and volunteers who share our commitment to helping people rebuild their lives. Something as simple as a meal, clean bedding or essential toiletries can make a genuine difference to someone starting again. These things don't just meet a practical need – they provide dignity, stability and show someone that their community cares. Our Mission Providing Opportunities, Hope and Fresh Starts to Those in Need. Behind each of our 15 spaces is a person and a story. Someone who deserves a safe place. Someone who deserves support. Someone who deserves another opportunity.

Streets ahead for information is a small, not-for-profit organisation, Established in 2006. We work in one of the most deprived communities in the UK. Based on the 'local high street' in the densely urbanised area of Gresham/Newport in Middlesbrough, the area is multi cultural with over 45 languages being spoken at one of the local primary school. the level of owner occupiers has drastically reduced over the past few years resulting in a large stock of low cost rented accommodation We help residents of the area navigate their way around the issues that life places in front of them. We offer a drop-in information service, English classes for people with English as a second language, a reporting centre for environmental/waste issues, ASB, hate crime and anything else that they face. we also offer a shop which redistributes unsold food stock. We provide activities to help people develop skills and to feel less isolated, this includes family tree sessions, friendship groups, up-cycling and recycling workshops. Our challenge is to run a community gala every year - this becomes more and more challenging as funding is not easy in our area as many of our residents do not have enough money to see themselves and their families thorough the week let alone supply funding for this event.

The Community Grocery is here to help bring down the cost of the weekly shop for those in our Community who are feeling the financial impact of the times we are living through. We offer a £5 yearly membership which means our members can then shop in the Grocery up to three times a week for just £3 each time. Our members also have access to many free courses for anyone interested in Health and well-being, new skills or meeting new people.