The Rock gets people on a roll

May 23 2009 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

DRUG addicts, asylum seekers, museums fans and theatre-goers will all benefit from almost £2m handed out by the Northern Rock Foundation.

The charitable arm of the nationalised bank has named 22 organisations in the region to benefit from its latest handouts, totaling £1,716,006.

And young drug-users in Blyth, domestic violence victims in Newcastle, and older people in Gateshead and Berwick will be among those in the money.

Alastair Balls, chairman of the foundation, said in harsh economic times the foundation’s grants were more important than ever.

He said: “The foundation has always placed a great emphasis on helping people who are homeless, vulnerable, or living in poverty, and those who are victims of abuse or discrimination. ”

One of the groups to benefit is the Tyneside Women’s Health Project, which will get £92,727, to spend over the next three years.

The groups CEO, Kate Mukungu, said the money will be used to provide a range of courses for the women with mental health problems, the charity works with.

“The money is going to be used primarily to provide courses for women experiencing mental health problems,” she said.

The Depaul Trust will receive the largest grant, getting £123,930 over three years. The money will be used to help homeless and other vulnerable young people on Tyneside through a mentoring scheme.

Age Concern Gateshead will receive £106,500 to help vulnerable older people access money through pensions and benefits, while Berwick Citizens Advice Bureau will get £70,923, to help older people.

Meanwhile victims of domestic violence in Newcastle will benefit from a £107,736 for Victim Support.

The Trustees have also made grants under their fund for culture and heritage projects in the region.

The Great North Museum will receive £90,000 towards special exhibitions over three years. Northern Stage will receive £90,000 towards its programme celebrating the theatre’s 40th birthday. And Newcastle’s Theatre Royal will receive £87,000 towards a new project, Seconds Out, that will link the worlds of boxing and contemporary dance.

Other groups to benefit include, The Rights Project, which works with asylum seekers and refugees in Newcastle, the North Benwell Youth Project, in Newcastle’s West End, and Mind, in Gateshead.