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Three organisations are on a mission to support people through the cost of living crisis and make life fairer for residents in South Tyneside after securing a slice of a multi-million pound fund.

Local charity Hospitality and Hope, Big Local Jarrow and social enterprise the Wise Group will all receive a share of £8.8 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Last year the Council invited organisations to submit proposals that could meet the objectives of the Government scheme which is the replacement for European funding. More than 100 expressions of interest were received and these were among the first eight projects to receive the first phase of the funding which runs until March 2025.

Hospitality and Hope will use its share of the funding to create a network of community shops. These shops provide healthy, affordable food as well as wider support services such as debt advice and mental health support. A community shop has already been set up in Horsley Hill and the funding will allow a further two shops to be set up, the next being located in Hudson Street at Tyne Dock. These shops act as an anchor in the community, providing not only for a small fee, 'top-up' groceries at much lower prices but also access to financial support, cooking on a budget sessions to improve nutrition and health and wellbeing activities. Over the next two years the community shop network will aim to support 10,500 residents.

Jarrow Community Hub is a newly established Community Interest Company born following the successful impact of the Big Local Central Jarrow Project. its mission is to continue to empower and support the local residents of Jarrow through its Community and Wellness Hub by connecting people and reducing isolation and supporting the emotional wellbeing and resilience of residents as well as continuing to support young people. The organisation has exciting plans that will benefit the whole community and make Jarrow an even better place in which to live. It will seek to map out opportunities to increase community engagement and play its part in levelling up the local community, supporting those who are struggling the most while continuing to address the digital divide.

A new Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) is also set to be created to provide mentoring support and advocacy to help fuel poor households. Leading social enterprise the Wise Group will recruit Energy Mentors to support people to take control of their energy usage,  reduce and manage their bills. HEAT is committed to working with 500 residents a year and will link residents to other key services for support.

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities, said: "It is fantastic to see these worthy organisations receive funding for projects which will make an immediate and lasting impact to our communities. It comes at a crucial time as we know that many local households are under considerable financial pressure and these awards are a part of the Council, and wider Partnership's, response to the cost of living crisis.

"One of the Council's ambitions is to target support to make things fairer and this funding will go some way towards helping us to deliver this."

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