Tri Service Veterans Charity Takes Ownership of Building, Extra homeless Investment in Newcastle

A veterans charity based in Newcastle has taken ownership of the building they operate from, on Hassell Street in the town.

Staffordshire county council, who owned the building, have been working together with Tri Services Veterans Centre over the last 18 months to find a solution that would allow the charity to buy the building, which has been their base for 7 years.

Thanks to an impressive fundraising effort, the charity has raised the necessary funds to buy the building and have now taken formal ownership.

The group support serving and former serving members of the armed forces and their families across North Staffordshire.

Tri Services Chairman, Geoff Harriman said: “Taking ownership of the building that we have occupied for 8 years is a monumental step forward for the charity.  This will give us the security we need to continue the great work in providing help and support to veterans and their families.

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Extra investment has been allocated to help rising numbers of people being made homeless in Newcastle under Lyme. Since April, the Borough Council has helped 37 separate families, five couples and 87 individuals.

Gill Heesom, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, said: “One of the biggest current pressures is increasing demand by families seeking short-term help after becoming homeless.

Last year the council set aside £600,000 but actually spent £850,000 on supporting families this way, so next year an additional £450,000 to help people when they’re most vulnerable is being allocated.

The Government has said it wishes to eliminate homelessness by 2025 and Newcastle has already committed to the purchase of a town centre property to create a base for providing safe emergency accommodation, in addition to practical advice and support to find long-term solutions.