BUSINESSES across Darlington are being encouraged to think about what more they can do to help the town’s homeless.

The First Stop charity is hosting an event on July 30 to talk about homelessness in the borough and the ways in which local businesses can give their support.

First Stop supports vulnerable people through a number of schemes including its Bike Stop social enterprise whereby people are helped back into work by learning how to fix and maintain bikes.

Tracy Freeman, its chief executive, is keen to explore ways in which other Darlington businesses can support the town’s homeless.

She said: “Quite often, those who are homeless or close to homelessness can turn around their lives if they are given an opportunity to take on responsibility and show their value.

“Our clients have to overcome many barriers to make the most of such opportunities so we want to talk about the issues that people face in Darlington and look at a variety of ways we can remove these barriers with the help of the local business community thus opening up the pathway to independent living for our clients.”

Jake Tompkins, managing director of Modus Seabed Intervention and director of Bike Stop will be speaking at the event, along with Matthew Robertson of Truffle restaurant.

There will also be representation from Homeless Link, a national homeless organisation and employees of First Stop and Bike Stop at the event.

Darlington Cares – a corporate social responsibility partnership of Darlington employers - is supporting the event which takes place between 4.30pm and 6pm at The Forge, Teesside University Darlington.