As a main community hub for our residents, we support a wide range of individuals and families. We focus on the locations of Bensham, Saltwell, Teams, Lobley Hill and Central Gateshead. People here experience significant social, economic and health inequalities. These inequalities have historic and present day causes. We focus our support to people from low income households, refugees and asylum seekers. Despite the challenges people face, we know everyone has the potential to thrive and fulfil their potential with a little extra help. We are here for all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. The charity acts as a first point of contact for many vulnerable or at risk local people. We deliver a range of preventative and integrated services to help hard pressed families and individuals during difficult periods of their lives with practical, social and mental wellbeing support.
Even after 33 years, our aims remain the same:
- Provide an accessible and inclusive service to the local community
- Bring isolated people together
- Build strength and belief in the community
- Provide opportunities for personal and social development
- Build confidence, create independence and challenge disadvantage
- Empower individuals through opportunities for formal and informal learning
We offer a holistic Family Support Outreach Service, helping families in difficult circumstances with not just advice and outreach support, but with food, nearly new clothing, baby equipment and household goods.
We also offer free fitness and wellness sessions, educational classes, and fun family orientated activities such as our Healthy Holiday activities and Parent and Toddler groups.
We are an Ofsted registered childcare service provider which makes us uniquely placed to offer creches and childcare services to support the sessions we host at St Chads and the families we work with.
We provide hugely popular ESOL classes for refugees and asylum seekers, which are a continuing success. We are currently supporting over 30 people from varied backgrounds to learn English and further integrate into their new community.
