North East housing association gives £10,000 grant to charity supporting Sunderland residents
A North East charity helping hundreds of people overcome barriers to find work is widening its support through new courses and a full-time tutor.
Three13 is expanding its practical training in hospitality and carpentry following a £10,000 grant from Bernicia’s charitable arm, The Bernicia Foundation.
Based in Hendon, Sunderland, the funding will provide hands-on learning for residents facing complex barriers to employment, helping them rebuild confidence and develop skills for long-term careers.
Over the past year, the charity has supported 200 learners, with many securing multiple certificates in 276 recognised trade-specific vocational qualifications.
Jenny Allinson, director at The Bernicia Foundation, said: “Bernicia is dedicated to supporting the communities where our tenants live, which is why we’re proud to back the vital work Three13 is delivering.
“Their hubs are anchoring real change, giving people the practical tools to transform their lives.
"This partnership perfectly mirrors our values of supporting opportunity.”
The ten-day courses help residents put their skills into action through community-based projects, including painting and decorating at Hope Vineyard Church, and building benches for a park in Hendon.
The next cohort will carry out community work supporting the refurbishment of a double-decker bus for a Washington-based project.
The Bernicia grant is also contributing towards a new full-time tutor, John Miller.
A former secondary school teacher with 30 years of experience, John recently led the successful Trailblazer pilot scheme for the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, helping eight adult learners gain qualifications and plan their careers.
John said: “Having spent three decades teaching design technology in schools, I know first hand how easily people can be left behind by standard education.
"For many of our learners, the biggest barrier isn’t a lack of skill but a lack of self-worth.
“To now be working with some of the exact same people I taught years ago, helping them rebuild that self-belief as adults, is amazing.
"This grant has allowed me to start full-time after a year of working from the sidelines with a passion to do more.
"Now, we can truly walk with these individuals until they are ready to step into employment.”