Member Article

First Stop Darlington expands to independent premises

Darlington charity, First Stop Darlington, has expanded to its own premises after receiving funding to accelerate its work to end homelessness in the area.

First Stop used a Charity Bank loan to buy the new property, ultimately reducing rent and utility costs.

The charity funded the £50k deposit for its new building from grants from Northern Rock Foundation, Garfield Weston and reserves, and borrowed the remaining £105k it needed from the Bank.

First Stop provides one-to-one support, guidance and advice to people of all ages, ranging from those at risk of homelessness and/or eviction through to those sleeping rough, offenders, victims of substance abuse, domestic violence victims and perpetrators and those with mental health issues.

In 2012/13, First Stop Darlington helped more than 600 find accommodation or deal with the threat of eviction and nearly 200 improve their employment prospects.

Its Youth Homelessness Prevention service helped over 50 young people under 21 remain in their homes or to find suitable accommodation and support to live independently.

A further 23 adults with multiple complex needs were helped to cope with extensive complex issues which compound their ability to cope in society, such as mental health issues, behavioural, substance abuse and offending.

One client alone needed 168 visits.

Chief executive of First Stop Darlington, Tracy Freeman, said: “Owning our own premises means we can reduce our costs and redirect that money to helping our service users.

“While we could fund the deposit on the building we found, we needed to borrow twice as much again.

“Charity Bank immediately understood the issue, recognising that we would be able to increase our social impact if we owned rather than rented.

“The loan they granted us means that we are now saving around £10,000 a year that we would have been spending on rent and other operating costs.

“Our loan means that we can look forward to increasing the services we offer, helping more people in the future.”