A Middlesbrough charity will be at the heart of a new initiative to support North East families struggling with the rising cost of living, thanks to the expansion of a project founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Today (Tuesday, November 12) a new multibank hub is opening in Middlesbrough, operated by The Junction, a charity dedicated to supporting families across Tees Valley. 

This Middlesbrough Multibank is expected to provide more than 750,000 surplus goods to about 75,000 families in the area over the next year. 

In addition to the opening, a fundraising campaign has been launched, featuring actor Peter Capaldi, to encourage donations and secure essential supplies for the Multibank network.

The Multibank initiative, originally founded by Mr Brown with support from Amazon, is expanding with backing from Comic Relief and support from several UK businesses.

By redistributing surplus items like clothing, shoes, toiletries, bedding, home furnishings, toys, and baby goods, Multibank hubs aim to ease the financial strain on families while also reducing waste.

Since the first Multibank opened in Fife three years ago, the network has grown to include sites in Wigan, Swansea, and London, collectively distributing over five million goods to half a million families in need.

Mr Brown said: “Multibanks are not just about meeting needs but offering hope that families struggling to get by can have a better life, and in particular, as we prepare for Christmas we want Multibanks to put a smile on every child’s face.

“The key to the work of the Multibank is that we link companies who have surplus products to community-based charities like The Junction who with their networks know the people in their communities who need them.

“The Multibank model benefits all of us because by making sure no good product goes to waste we are alleviating poverty by tackling pollution and creating a new cost-effective solution that sustains both the planet and childhood opportunity."

Read More:

Get more local stories, reviews and exclusive content from The Northern Echo and join our growing digital family with a subscription.

Beth Major, chief executive of The Junction, added: “No-one should struggle alone. We know the challenges that children, young people, and families in Tees Valley face, alongside the challenges of practitioners trying to meet those needs through our own work.

"The Junction Multibank will help agencies and practitioners provide essential goods to families and individuals facing challenges, ensuring quicker access to basic needs."

Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “With winter fast approaching, this vitally important funding from our Multibank Fund will provide essential support to thousands of families in communities across the North East."

John Boumphrey, UK country manager at Amazon, emphasized Amazon’s commitment, saying: “Our goal is to help as many families as possible across Tees Valley by connecting surplus goods from Amazon and other businesses with those who need it most."

The new Middlesbrough Multibank is poised to offer an essential lifeline to North East families, bringing immediate aid and creating opportunities for lasting progress in a region where the cost-of-living crisis is acutely felt.

The Junction Multibank is at 8A Mickleton Road, Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, TS2 1RQ.