Partner Article

Charity launch ‘most ambitious scheme to date’

Tyneside Cyrenians has launched £3.3m worth of contracts in ‘it’s most ambitious scheme to date’.

The two new construction contracts, a refurbishment of an emergency access building and a ground-breaking substance misuse accommodation service, will give assistance to homeless people in the region.

The charity’s new construction company, TCUK Property Services (TCUK-PS), will hire eight men who have all been through the Cyrenians’ construction skills training centre, Brighter Futures.

Stephen Bell, the chief executive of The Cyrenians and TCUK Property Services, said: “TCUK Property Services will be a springboard back into mainstream employment and independence for people who have been through our support and training and reached our recruitment standards.

“TCUK-PS will deliver construction services to both The Cyrenians and other organisations and in the process provide employment and training opportunities. This is a very significant development for The Cyrenians as an organisation focused on really tackling the needs of vulnerable people.”

The eight successful trainees, who have all experienced addiction problems or issues relating to homelessness, have successfully completed basic training in plastering, joinery and electrical work at the Brighter Futures Construction Skills Training Centre and will start their traineeship in January 2010.

New trainee Sean Cleghorn said: “This is the beginning of a new life for me – it’s the first job I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to start. It’s epic! My family is so proud of me.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .