Wish granted!

Published on 10th May 2007 in News

We’re staying open! Pictured with the letter confirming their funding are Chantel Russell, Zena Cawood and Rebecca Challenger.

A Goole drop-in centre has been granted a life-line of nearly half a million pounds which will enable it to provide precious support to homeless young people for another five years.

Staff and young people at The Hinge have finally been told their core funding has been successful.

At the end of last year, it was feared the Carlisle Street centre would have to close as their Building Bridges funding ran out in December and other grants could not be delivered without it.

Employees at the centre were served with risk of redundancy notices, and centre manger Zena Cawood even took a pay cut to part-time wages while continuing to work around the clock to save the centre.

But now, The Hinge has been awarded £456,923 over the next five years by the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme.

"The young people are thrilled to bits," said Zena.

"They've been asking: "How long will it be staying open for, Zena?"

"This is a huge relief to everyone.

"It means that the centre has got core funding for the next five years and young people will continue to get the services they need.

"It will provide three full-time jobs - a project development manager, and a youth and social inclusion worker and support work, and a daily domestic worker."

In October, Zena and her team launched the Save the Hinge Appeal and staff began working tirelessly to attract more funding and donations.

"We've devoted all our energies to it," said Zena. "The money means that we'll be able to give far more to young people, time-wise.

"We're just so lucky and fortunate."

Interim funding from the East Riding, donations from trust funds and contributions from local people to the Save The Hinge campaign helped tide the centre over until they had confirmation of their funding.Centre manger Zena Cawood Zena paid tribute to everyone who has has supported them.

"Someone sent in a jar of coppers and an elderly lady gave £100."

Another touching donation came from a young man, who gave £1 after listening to a talk by Zena about the centre.

"He didn't have much but he gave what he could because he thought it was a worthwhile cause," she said.

"Ex-service users came back to show their support and the landlord has been fantastic, too - it's been an accumulation of good will."

Kester Dean, chairman of The Hinge, added his thanks.

"The way volunteers, young people and staff have pulled together has been amazing," he said.

"They've worked around the clock to save this vital service.

"A big thank you to all those who have donated their time, money and energy to save The Hinge.

"This investment from the Big Lottery Fund is fantastic news and will enable us to continue to help young people in the Goole area for at least the next five years. But it was only because of the donations we received to Save The Hinge that we could survive long enough to reach this new funding."

One of the projects that users of The Hinge can look forward to are independent living classes, which have already involved several young people from the local area.

The Ladder Project, funded by the Prince's Trust Big Boost, aims to give young people the chance to learn skills which will allow them to be independent in life.

Zena said: "Lots of these young people don't know how to cook - they have never been taught.

"They are used to eating processed foods and I want them to learn how to cook real food cheaply."

The young adults are also learning life skills such as how to fill in job applications, create CVs and basic literacy and numeracy skills.

"There are other organisations that help people in these ways but they feel more comfortable here. We don't judge anyone who comes in," said the centre manager.

Classes in the near future will focus on how to maintain a home, guidance on benefit support, self esteem and confidence building and personal care and fitness.

Shepherds Construction in York have also volunteered to offer their services with input from the human resources department.

Mock interviews are going to be set up for practice and if candidates prove that they have actually got an interview they will be able to get suitable clothes to get dressed up for the interview properly.

The courses will run on Tuesdays twice a day and anyone can come along and join in.

Zena stressed that there is no limited number of places and more classes will be put on if necessary.

"We have put some of the classes at 4.30pm until 6.30pm so that people who are at college or with young families can be included.

"This way, it gives everyone a chance to branch out," she said.