Handcrafted

People experiencing physical or mental health challenges, unemployment, addiction or homelessness, as well as people coming out of secure settings (such as prison or care) often experience social isolation. This impacts their mental health, placing additional barriers to rebuilding their life. Stable accommodation is a critical part of holistic support to help people break chaotic and destructive cycles and can help build an individual’s confidence.

Handcrafted is a charity based in Durham, Gateshead and Chester-le-Street which provides supported accommodation, alongside skills training to empower people to turn their own lives around. It has expertise working with young people with complex needs and those coming out of prison, care or other secure settings.

The services it provides include training programmes and creative activities designed to help individuals build confidence; supported housing available throughout the region; plus other areas of holistic support.

Handcrafted’s revenue is generated from rental income from the homes plus training contracts and grant funding.

Handcrafted is currently providing supported housing to 100 people, and they also support over 500 people with skills and therapy workshops.

A £2m secured loan from Social and Sustainable Capital’s Social and Sustainable Housing Fund enabled Handcrafted to purchase 24 properties and house at least 36 people, expanding its existing supported accommodation services and moving their reliance away from rental to owned properties. The additional SASH-funded units have high levels of demand, with strong support from local commissioners.