Life-changing charity threatened with closure speaks of joy after receiving £81,500 Christmas cash boost

Escape Intervention Services Ltd, based at Long Row in South Shields, which supports people with their mental health and wellbeing, has received £81,500 in funding from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit.

The organisation was founded in 2008 by service manager Lynne Yousef, to provide a range of therapeutic interventions, including counselling, advice, guidance and support – to enable young people to reach their potential.

Its team works alongside partner agencies to offer services to more than 100 young people up to the age of 25 and their families each week.

Last Christmas it was threatened with closure after its Big Lottery Funding came close to running out before it was able to secure a new source of funding.

In December 2018 the charity issued an urgent call for people to donate cash to save it from closure.

But a year on its a different story, as the charity celebrates the funding from the unit which will enable it to deliver services directly to young people with the aim of reducing violence and anti-social behaviour which impacts on families and communities.

The new funding will help young people aged 11 to 25 in South Tyneside, providing counselling, complementary therapies, evening, day and weekend residential experiences to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals.

Service manager Lynne Yousef said: “This funding will make a big difference to the scope of targeted support we can offer young people to improve their life chances.

“Last December we were at risk of closure.

“We have managed to fundraise this year to get to the point where we are sustainable so we can apply for this funding.

“It has been a challenging year as a charity and I think this funding acknowledges the valuable work that out charity is providing for the last 11 years."

The new funding comes from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit was formed by Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud that so many local organisations, from charities to housing providers, have quickly come together with local councils and our NHS and committed to the goal of preventing crime before it happens.

“They are making the changes necessary in our region to give people opportunities, improve lives and divert people from crime.”

The funding will be provided until March 2020 and referrals can be made by contacting the charity on: 0191 4276353/ 07599 307481 or via email: [email protected].