A MAJOR new initiative to support people suffering the impact of austerity will be launched in east Durham tomorrow.

The East Durham Solutions programme will see a team of local volunteers trained to support people with problems relating to housing, welfare and mental health.

The project is hosted by East Durham Trust and funded by East Durham Area Action Partnership.

It will see local people offering advice, guidance and signposting to fellow citizens and builds on other successful projects known as Welfare Champions and Keyboard Champions.

East Durham Trust Chief Executive Malcolm Fallow said: “As with many of our projects, this will utilize the fact that within our community we have people who are naturally seen as advocates and activists.

“They are seen as the people as to turn to when it comes to issues such as austerity, welfare reform.

“People at the sharp end who, for example, find themselves being the victims of benefit sanctions need to turn to someone in their hour of need.”

Mr Fallow said the trust had extensively trained new volunteers to deal with housing and mental health issues - on top of welfare matters.

He added: “Naturally, we applaud the AAP for once again investing in protecting vulnerable people in such hard times.”

  • The project will be launched at the annual general meeting of East Durham Area Action Partnership at the Hazelwell Centre, Windsor Terrace, Haswell, from 6pm to 8pm.