On Saturday 26 November North West Durham MP, Pat Glass visited the Single Homeless Action Initiative in Derwentside (SHAID) to present donations to the local homeless community.

Local resident Eileen Watson organised a collection of food and toys to be donated for secret Santa presents and Pat was very happy to be invited to go along with Eileen and present them to SHAID.

Single Homeless Action Initiative in Derwentside (SHAID) is a group that originally focused on the housing difficulties facing young single people when it was established in 1993; after receiving a National Lottery Grant in 1998 the group was able to work directly with 16-25 year olds in need of housing. SHAID offers a variety of help and support for young people seeking advice on housing.

Pat Glass MP said:

“The work that SHAID does is vital to the Derwentside community. It is essential that young people in our area have the facilities to support and advise them on issues, such as housing, to ensure that they are not threatened by homelessness when they leave home. I am proud to have such a great organisation within my constituency.

“Homelessness fell significantly under the previous Labour Government but since the Tory-led government came to power it has risen by 10.3%. This is extremely worrying news and I am particularly concerned that the government’s changes to housing benefit will only make things worse.”