For the past fifteen years this project has been working away dealing with people from Consett, Derwentside, Durham and the surrounding areas who have found themselves in distressing circumstances with no roof over their head or little or no furniture. Reasons for this range from being caught in the poverty trap through unemployment, low wages to social problems and changing family values and structures. Furniture is donated by the general public, logged in and out. Some of it requires small repairs, which are carried out on the premises.

Over the last year there has been a significant increase in the people in crisis seeking help, including young homeless people and single parents. Working closely with Social Services, The District Council Housing Department, CAB, Durham Mental Health, Social Services, Probation, Voluntary Agencies and others the Furniture Project counsels and makes help available immediately with the provision of basic items of furniture and bedding that makes a secure home base for individuals and families, that can be added to. This first contact is often the difference between total despair and taking hold on a new beginning, giving a start to a new life.

A full-time co-ordinator and driver are supported by an administrative person and a volunteer team who keep the project moving. They deal with all the enquiries, collections and deliveries of items of furniture and maintain good working relationships with the public, and other relative bodies so that the needy people of this area which has high deprivation have a service which can respond positively in their time of need. This is a much needed Project serving not only those in greatest need but also others where money is in short supply.

To maintain this project and it's valuable work we are seeking to secure funding to ensure the future of this service for the next three years. Our Luton Van needs replacing to maintain a safe reliable service that is not subject to breakdown etc that would detract from the essential work of helping those in need in the times when they are most vulnerable.

Consett YMCA Intermediate Labour Market Project

The aim of the Consett YMCA Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) is to provide opportunities, including community based job tasters (either within or organised by the YMCA), leading to a formal work placement period with local employers. This is complimented throughout by basic key and vocational skills training, counselling, careers advice and guidance to facilitate the transition of 18 unemployed people into unsubsidised employment.

A Success Story
Michael needed something to support and guide him from a criminal past and drug problems which had been troubling him until he came onto the job centre plus project run by Consett YMCA. He has played football as part of the Divisionary Activity Programme run by the YMCA at Leadgate for the past ten years. This has helped Michael's progress and he now plays for a Sunday morning football club, the Smelters Arms (sponsored by the YMCA). Through the qualifications gained and the motivational support given from the staff at the YMCA he has found long term employment which suits him and he has been able to eradicate his past problems. The future is a lot brighter for Michael and as he said:

"Without the YMCA my life would be worse and I would have no job."

We recently became involved in the Dreams & Teams Project, which is a project that began in 2001 and now operates in a wide range of countries around the world. Managed and developed by the British Council and the Youth Sport Trust with local in-country partners, it uses sport to develop international Young Leaders.

Here at Consett we welcomed a group of Young Leaders from Israel and in combination with our own Young Leaders they organised an activity filled event for a number of our local Junior Schools.

The event was even opened by ex England footballer Peter Beardsley, and received radio coverage from our local BBC station Radio Newcastle which included interviews with both our own leaders and also those from Israel.