A CHARITY has been awarded a grant that will help its work with homeless people over the next three years.

The Stanley-based charity Single Homeless Action Initiative Derwentside (Shaid) has been given £30,000 by the Greggs Trust to aid its work with under 25s in the area.

Since it was set up in 1993, the charity has offered help to about 2,000 young people and found new accommodation for more than 700.

The Greggs grant will go towards paying for a project manager for the initiative.

Kevin Howe, Shaid's present project manager, said most of the young people the group works with lead very transient lifestyles and often have emotional problems.

He said: "We provide practical and emotional support via our drop-in centre, home visiting service and life skills training programme.

"The length of time a young person is supported varies from a few weeks up to two years.

"The emphasis is on empowering them to take control of their lives to give them the best chance of managing on their own."

The group also runs courses, in partnership with Durham County Council Social Services, which cover issues such as benefit and budgeting advice, safety in the home, anger management, and domestic skills.

Jenni Wagstaff, manager of Greggs Trust, which last year made grants worth more than £500,000, said: "We have provided many grants over the years through our Hardship Fund to assist Shaid's clients, so it is great to be able to support them with a major grant.

To contact Shaid, ring (01207) 218850.