Middlesbrough-based domestic violence charity to get £1/2m from the lottery

Two projects in Teesside have scooped £800,000 of lottery funding.

Domestic violence charity My Sister’s Place, based in Middlesbrough, has been given just under half a million pounds while Endeavour Training’s BOOST project for people with learning difficulties has received more than £300,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

My Sister’s Place will spend its funding of £499,262 to continue its work tackling domestic violence through practical help, legal advice, counselling, personal and property security measures, housing advice, financial help, dealing with debt, welfare and benefits claims, crisis grants, advice on returning to work and training opportunities.

The project aims to help 1,500 women, including those at risk of forced marriage or so-called honour-based violence.

Boost is a new project to help increase the confidence, independence and job skills of people with mild to moderate learning difficulties across Teesside and Durham.

It will provide young people with challenging and creative activities such as rock climbing, trekking, orienteering, canoeing, music, drama, film, photography and making cards.

Sessions will also cover finance, budgeting, bank accounts, interest rates, loans, how to budget, communications skills and team work. The project will also involve selling goods, market and cake stalls, furniture stalls, online sales, jumble sales, advertising, stock management an marketing.

Gavin Hosford, director of operations, said: “The grant will enable Endeavour to deliver a three year project in areas such as Tees Valley, Middlesbrough, The Trimdons and Peterlee.

“The project will aim to develop self-confidence and independence through challenging activities such as rock climbing, orienteering and canoeing.

“Our aim is to help at least 300 young people with mild and moderate learning difficulties to have more positive life opportunities over the next three years.”

In total, eight good causes in the North-east will benefit from the latest lottery grants.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund deputy England director, said: “Our Reaching Communities programme helps communities and people most in need and we are very pleased to make awards to these worthwhile projects across the region.”