Durham based independent charity; Finchale has been awarded £460,000 over three years to invest in an intensive, Health, Training, Work, dedicated case-worker led programme that will support veterans and their families across the region.
Funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds – the charity will run a three year partnership programme that will provide dedicated case-workers to over 60 veterans and family members across County Durham.
Mel Pears MBE, CEO at Finchale said: “We are delighted to have been awarded these funds. An excellent experienced team who knows what it means to leave the military and all the pitfalls to start afresh in civilian life and we are all too aware of the range of issues that veterans and their families face and the assistance that’s needed. This new funding will enable us to reach many more veterans and their families living in the community than before”
As part of the project the Case-workers will use a holistic approach to achieving individual personal goals using an end to end transitional programme which enables veterans and their families that are often difficult to reach direct one to one support to practical problems such as finding training and employment whilst managing finances, breaking cycles of addiction and homelessness and dealing with a wide variety of emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. Finchale’s specialist Veterans Service values family unity and works hard to keep families together tackling social isolation and strives to build strong and healthy communities, building trust and facilitating access to additional services and resources encouraging individuals to live a more fulfilling life and reach their full potential in meaningful employment.
Andy Wildish, Veterans Services Manager said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding which will allow us to expand our current service and deliver a much needed programme of support in Durham. This will be the only, case managed, specialist programme offering end-to-end social care to job readiness in the North of England. We are liaising and working closely with partner organisations on how this service will operate with a view to a spring launch.”
Finchale, based in Pity Me in County Durham, support’s disadvantaged, disabled, veterans and dependants, and those with health inequalities for 73 years by offering specialist support for people with multiple and complex challenges to employment through collaboration with job centre plus, national career services and many other referral organisations.
Over the past year 16/17, 300+ veterans and their family members have been welcomed through its doors engaging with the Veterans Service at Finchale and this project is part of a wider portfolio of work being undertaken by Finchale throughout the North East region from the Scottish Borders in the north to the East Riding of Yorkshire in the south, and across from Teesside to Cumbria.
For further information, please contact the Veterans’ Services Team on 0191 374 6129 or email enquiries@finchale.org
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Notes to editor
Finchale, based in Pity Me in County Durham, was founded in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for service personnel returning from active service, and it has retained strong links with the Armed Forces ever since.
The independent registered charity has supported disabled people and those with health inequalities for 73 years by offering specialist support for people with multiple and complex barriers to employment. It works with individuals and families from the Scottish Borders in the north to the East Riding of Yorkshire in the south, and across from Teesside to Cumbria. Finchale works with a wide range of employers and partners of all sizes from across the public, private and third sectors.
Set in 13.5 acres of landscaped grounds, Finchale also offers a wide range of flexible business spaces which can cater for 2-150 people, available to hire from an hour to a full day. Facilities include: 18 fully equipped teaching, training and meeting rooms; auditorium seating for 80-100 people; more than 120 bedrooms (20 ensuite); IT suites; lecture theatre and classrooms; as well as conference, event and banqueting facilities. Services include access to audio visual and laptop equipment, Wi-Fi, as well as catering and parking.
For further information please contact: Katharine Hawking, Social Media and Marketing Officer, Tel: 0191 386 2634, Mob: 07540 963734, Email: katharine.hawking@finchale.org
