THE world’s first railway booking office is still offering local people independence and freedom by becoming a homeless refuge now has ambitious expansion plans to create self-contained studio flats to help residents rebuild their lives.

Bridge House Mission in Stockton has supported thousands of vulnerable men since it opened in the historic Grade II Listed building at St John’s Crossing 38 years ago and has assisted 28 destitute women since opening its doors to women last April.

“Many of the girls we have seen have been through the care system themselves and have had children removed,” said Bridge House manager, Jennifer Glenton. “Some have been controlled all their lives so we try to make them feel safe, secure and stable and build up trust by going at their own pace.”

The forward-thinking charity, which can house 30 men and four women at a time has a waiting list for its services, is striving to increase the number of beds to meet spiralling demand as well as creating several studio flats.

Its residents could be addicts, suffer from mental illness or lost their jobs but all are given a bed and vital 24-hour support at the place they call ‘home’.

“This has always been a community building and it is still doing a grand job helping local people, we reduce NHS bills, reduce jail sentences and unwanted pregnancies,” said Chief Executive Officer, Louise Lefevre.

The first rails of the pioneering Stockton and Darlington Railway were laid outside in May 1822 which is marked by a plaque on the former brick booking office which is now flanked by a brightly-coloured block of student apartments and the busy A66 carriageway.

“At the moment it is ‘U’ shaped with a courtyard in the middle so we are going to make that into a square with additional rooms for women on one floor and studio flats with a six month tenancy on the other to help people live independently.

“Hopefully this will prevent people coming back like a revolving door or going into inappropriate accommodation.”

Bridge House is also celebrating having recently achieved Investors in People ‘gold’ accreditation for its work to boost the talents of its 21-strong staff as well as becoming a ‘living wage’ employer.

“Our staff are empowered and engaged, we don’t know anywhere else in the area that’s got this that isn’t a national charity which shows what a focused and strategic company we are,” Mrs Lefevre added.