Real Deal

Ashington Central is one of the 10% most deprived wards in the whole of Northumberland. Since opening our drop in service in January 2014, we have become aware of an ever-growing number of Ashington residents living with loneliness & isolation, health issues, substance misuse issues, food & fuel poverty and long term unemployment. We support vulnerable people in our local community by offering a warm place of care and refuge, a listening ear, companionship and direct practical help. We currently run a Community Caf, provide free home-made soup and very low cost meals, operate a job club with 1:1 support for those with poor or no ICT or literacy skills, provide CBT counselling, and supply furniture, clothing and food parcels to those in need - both directly with proof of benefits, or by referral from local social services. We offer volunteering opportunities through our drop in tea room, community shop and allotment project. We have painting and Art therapy classes running as well as a craft club and have just received 3 years funding to provide 2 part-time Youth Workers to develop our existing work with young people. Our centre is currently staffed entirely by volunteers and we work in partnership with Green Pastures, Ashington YMCA, Wansbeck Disability Forum, Family Wise, Hospitality and Hope, Northumbria Healthcare, Social Services, Northumbria Police, CitizenÍs Advice, Job Centre Plus, Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service (CVS), Making Winter Warmer for the Homeless and Bernicia Homes. We also hope to develop further partnerships with other Local Authorities and Social Services.