A PROJECT that helps improve the quality of life for residents in Shildon has been praised by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.

Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, visited Foundations, on Church Street, in Shildon, to help the venture mark its second birthday.

Foundations is owned by social housing provider livin and it is managed by the Foundation of Light which is the charity of Sunderland AFC.

It began two years ago and it offers a range of projects and training programmes to improve financial wellbeing, digital skills and employment.

Mrs Snowdon was joined by Helen Goodman, the Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, and residents keen to hear of the scheme’s success.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be visiting Foundations.

“I want to congratulate Foundations not only on the diversity of the services which it offers but also on the high quality of them too.

“I know that we are improving people’s lives through the opportunities which are being provided by this service.

“You are putting down the right foundations for this town and for this service to build on.”

Foundations has worked with 900 people locally and it has delivered 267 activities with partners which include Durham County Council and Bishop Auckland College.

Alan Boddy, an executive director People at Communities at livin, said: “The impact of Foundations over the last two years has been significant.

“This event is about recognising the good work the partnership has already delivered but more importantly learning from our first two years to ensure we continue to develop the Foundations offer and provide much needed support for local people in the coming years.”

For more information about Foundations visit livin.co.uk/foundations