Charity receives over £350,000 to help support people experiencing homelessness.
Local mental health charity, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, is today celebrating after being awarded £361,901 in National Lottery funding to support its work helping local people who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness with their wellbeing.
The charity, which covers the whole Hull and East Riding area, will use the money to continue supporting local people over the next 3 years. The support is designed to cater to the needs of individuals marginalised from conventional wellbeing services due to their circumstances.
Hull and East Yorkshire Mind’s Community Hub, based at 35 Wellington Road in Bridlington, first opened in April 2023. It was set up in partnership with Space 2B Heard, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, to address the increasing demand for homelessness support services.
The Community Hub, which is currently open six days a week, provides a safe space for individuals to have something to eat, get washed, and access vital support such as counselling, physical health checks, and accommodation. In the last year alone, 100% of individuals receiving support were registered with a GP.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see the charity provide more enhanced support that focus on the ‘strengths’ rather than the ‘limitations’ of the community.
At the same time, the charity will be able to foster a sense of community by providing a range of wellbeing and social activities. These will help those receiving support to build relationships, develop support networks and regain independence.
Sam Bell, Director of Operations at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, says: “We know homelessness is a huge problem nationally, so we’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to continue focusing on stabilizing the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, and breaking down barriers to accessing support, including primary and secondary mental health, addiction, and welfare services.”
Sandra (not her real name), who receives support from Hull and East Yorkshire Mind at the Community Hub, says: “Before coming here I had nothing. I was suicidal. The support from Hull and East Yorkshire Mind has changed my life. I’m getting stronger each day. I feel I am part of a supportive community who notice when I’m not OK. I feel accepted for who I am.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
