A trainee on the Xtreme Character Challenge

Ben’s Story

A Home & Community for Young Care Leavers

In 2023, we transformed a derelict pub in Gateshead into a community hub.

Ben moved in a few months later. He was adopted aged 1 but his relationship with his adopted parents broke down just after his 17th birthday. In one year, Ben was moved 20 times. He says, “not many housing providers could deal with my mental health”, which included suicide attempts, self-harm, and overdoses.

His mental health has begun to improve, and he hasn’t overdosed. Ben puts this down to his flat, Handcrafted community and support worker, Neil.

“He’ll go one step further than everyone else… he has had some lived experience, so understands.”

Ben is starting woodwork sessions, and completed the ‘Xtreme Character Challenge’ with us, climbing three Scottish mountains in 72 hours.

Testimonials

I work as a prolific offender coordinator within police and my role is to reduce re-offending, I work with offenders who have been within court and prison system for numerous years.

Handcrafted has been instrumental in providing training, skills and support to help these most chaotic offenders in the local community. To a lot of people going to work each day would be a normal part of life. The majority of the prolific offenders within the offender management unit have very little or in some cases no work experience.

Handcrafted have provided the opportunity to build their confidence, self-belief, working with others and learning a trade. They get a huge sense of achievement working on various projects within Handcrafted. The staff are always very supportive and Handcrafted has become a valuable partner agency.

Simon H, Durham Constabulary