Lifeline lunch club secures fresh backing

A homelessness charity is set to continue providing hot meals and support to vulnerable people in Harrogate after receiving a second four-figure grant.

Lifeline Harrogate has secured £2000 from County Durham-headquartered developer The Banks Group to support its fortnightly lunch club for another 12 months.

The funding follows an earlier £2000 grant which covered the cost of running the sessions over the past year.

Founded in 2013 by Carl and Georgie Good, Lifeline supports people affected by homelessness or insecure housing, including those who have experienced abuse.

Its lunch club brings together current and former residents, staff and volunteers over a hot, home-cooked meal prepared by volunteer chefs, providing an opportunity to share experiences and advice.

Lifeline currently operates seven three-bedroom properties across Harrogate and is preparing to open an eighth, increasing its capacity to 25 rooms.

Over the past 13 years, the charity has provided more than 57,600 nights of accommodation and housed more than 170 people.

Residents can stay for between six months and three years while receiving support to address barriers to independent living.

Lifeline also provides six months of follow-on support after residents move on, with around 85 per cent currently leaving its accommodation with a positive next step secured.

Two former service users have since joined the charity as housing and support officers.

Ruth Skaife-Clarke, fundraising manager at Lifeline Harrogate, said: “Rising rates of homelessness around Harrogate means that demand for our support is always high and our rooms are almost always fully occupied.

“We look to provide a base from which people affected by homelessness can begin rebuilding their lives and can eventually make a successful transition at their own pace back to independence.

“The lunch club has always been a core part of the support we provide and gives us the chance to bring all our residents together to enjoy a meal in a friendly, informal setting.

“It gives newer residents the chance to talk to others who’ve successfully navigated some of the issues that they might be facing and who can demonstrate that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“We see at first-hand how the lunch club contributes towards residents building up their self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience, and Banks’ continuing support gives us certainty that we’re going to be able to keep providing this essential service for the coming year.”

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, whose community funds are independently managed by Point North, added: “Lifeline Harrogate’s services have a hugely positive impact on the lives of local people facing some very challenging situations.

“The atmosphere at the lunch club is always very warm and welcoming, and we’re really pleased to be extending our support for it for another year.”

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