A charity will share in Government cash to help people with mental health problems to become self-employed.
The Northern Pinetree Trust, at Birtley, Gateshead, is to get £117,950 and is one of 13 projects across the country receiving £1.25m from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The trust, set up as a charity in 1996, aims to help 120 North-East people with mental health issues to go self-employed or start a business or a social enterprise, with training, counselling, hands-on support and financial advice.
The money is from the DTI's £177m Phoenix Fund, which aims to tackle social exclusion by encouraging entrepreneurs.
Minister for Small Business and Enterprise Nigel Griffiths said: "A high number of people with mental health issues aspire to work.
"For some, setting up their own business would be a viable alternative."
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