A Harrogate homelessness charity is ready to serve up more support for local people after receiving a second four-figure grant from developer the Banks Group.
Lifeline Harrogate provides short and long-term assistance for people around the town who are affected by homeless or vulnerably housed, often through being victims of abuse, and provides the shelter and support they need to find positive ways forward.
As part of its range of services, the charity runs a fortnightly lunch club at which current and former residents, staff and volunteers can spend time discussing their different experiences and sharing advice over a hot, home-cooked meal prepared by its volunteer chefs.
A £2,000 Banks Group grant has helped to cover the lunch club’s costs for the last year – and now, a further £2,000 grant will do the same for the coming 12 months.
Founded in 2013 by Carl and Georgie Good, Lifeline Harrogate operates seven three-bedroom properties around the town and is set to open an eighth in the near future, which will take its total capacity to 25 rooms.
It has so far provided over 57,600 nights of accommodation over the last 13 years, with over 170 men and women being housed through that period.
Accommodation is provided for between six months and three years, which gives Lifeline’s residents the security of knowing they have a firm foundation from which they can look to improve their situations and allows the charity to work to address the barriers that each person is facing around living independently.
The charity takes a holistic view to tackling homelessness and works to address the root causes of the situations that its residents are facing, including by accessing additional support and services where required and providing six months of follow-on support for residents when they move on.
Around 85 per cent of residents currently leave the charity with a positive move-on option, with two former service users now working for Lifeline in housing and support officer roles.
Ruth Skaife-Clarke, fundraising manager at Lifeline Harrogate, says: “Rising rates of homelessness around Harrogate means that demand for our support is always high and our rooms are almost always fully occupied.
“We look to provide a base from which people affected by homelessness can begin rebuilding their lives and can eventually make a successful transition at their own pace back to independence.
“The lunch club has always been a core part of the support we provide and gives us the chance to bring all our residents together to enjoy a meal in a friendly, informal setting.
“It gives newer residents the chance to talk to others who’ve successfully navigated some of the issues that they might be facing and who can demonstrate that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“We see at first hand how the lunch club contributes towards residents building up their self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience, and Banks’ continuing support gives us certainty that we’re going to be able to keep providing this essential service for the coming year.”
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: “Lifeline Harrogate’s services have a hugely positive impact on the lives of local people facing some very challenging situations.
“The atmosphere at the lunch club is always very warm and welcoming, and we’re really pleased to be extending our support for it for another year.”
The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North.