Fresh Start

Providing young people in County Durham with support and advice on housing.

  • Domestic Abuse
  • Employment, education & training
  • Housing
  • Young people & family

Our Service

If you are living in County Durham and in need of your own space, we can support you through the process and assist with setting up and maintaining your tenancy.

We’re here to help

Floating Support is delivered in your own home by a dedicated Support Worker. Support can help you to live independently or to settle into stable accommodation and is structured around the following areas:

Achieve Economic Wellbeing – Support to maximise income, ensure correct welfare benefits, reduce debt or obtain paid work

Enjoy and Achieve – Support to participate in training/ education, access leisure, cultural or faith groups; volunteering or work experience or establish contact with external services, friends or family

Be Healthy – Support to access specialist services to better manage physical or mental health and any substance misuse issues; ensure assistive technology/aids/ adaptations are in place

Stay Safe – Support to maintain accommodation and avoid eviction; resettlement into your home, connection of utilities and access furniture; understand rights and responsibilities as a tenant; comply with statutory orders in relation to any offending behaviour; better manage risk and resolve neighbour-hood disputes and harassment

Make a Positive Contribution – Support to develop confidence and ability to have greater choice and/or control and involvement; participation in the local community

 

Who is this service for

  • People aged 16-25
  • People who need support to get or keep a tenancy
  • People who live in County Durham

Get support

Get in touch with the team using the details on this page to chat through how we can support you, or if preferred:

  • Contact the office and we will complete a referral  form with you
  • Ask an agency who you are working with to complete a referral form on your behalf
  • Our telephone support line is open 10am to 12 Monday-Saturday
  • We run virtual drop-ins from 6 – 8 pm

Where are we?

Inspiration House, Unit 22 Bowburn Industrial Estate Durham DH6 5PF

Opening times

  • Mon: 9.00am-6:00pm
  • Tues: 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed: 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Thurs: 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri: 9:00am-6:00pm

Call us

01325 731160 option 5

Thank you so much for helping me get myself sorted, you have been a massive help. Excellent service delivered by all.

Young person using the Fresh Start service

What we are unable to provide

Our support does not include:
– Meal preparation and regular assistance to cook meals
– Personal hygiene such as using the toilet, washing, bathing, administering medication
– Shopping or accompanying on shopping trips on a regular basis
– Specialist counselling
– Undertaking repairs and home improvements
– Accommodation provision.

Fresh Start Housing, Health & Wellbeing Drop-ins

Morning (AM)

10.00-12.00

Easington Welfare Hall, Easington Colliery, SR8 3PL

10-11:30

Woodhouse Close Church, Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6PD

 

Afternoon (PM)

12:30-3pm

Angel Trust, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7JN

1-3pm

Safe Harbour, 31 Church Street, Seaham, SR7 7HQ

(Waythrough Only)

10.00 – 12:00

Lifeline Community Action, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4DZ – (DASH Only)

Morning (AM)

11.00 – 1.00

Trimdon Village Hall, Trimdon Village, TS29 6JX

10.00 – 12.00

Glenroyd House, Medomsley Road, Consett, DH8 5HL

10.00 – 12.00

Trinity Methodist Church, Spennymoor, DL16 7NB

Morning (AM)

10:00-12:00

The Venue,  Stanley, DH9 6AH

 

Afternoon (PM)

12:30-2:30

United Reform Church (Food Bank), Durham City, DH1 4DF

12:30 – 2:30

Willington Methodist Church (Food Bank) DL15 0AG

Morning (AM)

10.00 – 12.00

Shildon Alive, Shildon, DL4 1DT

 

Afternoon (PM)

1.00 – 3.00

Annfield Plain Community Centre, 23 Front Street, Stanley, DH9 7SY

Morning (AM)

10.00 – 12.00

Horden House Hub Horden, SR8 4LX

10.00 – 12.30

Evangel Church, Durham Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3JL