A CHARITY has received a £250,000 cash injection to throw a lifeline to society's "forgotten" people.

The Hope Foundation, which has the slogan compassion in the community, is working with Teesside Tertiary College to teach information technology (IT) skills to people with mental health problems, ex-offenders, and single parents.

Its temporary home is three training rooms in Marton Road, Middlesbrough.

More than 200 people were trained on how to use computers last year. About 96 people are presently on courses.

Foundation manager Sue Kearney said the Lottery money would fund a permanent training base - and more people qualifying in basic IT skills.

She said: "It will allow us to serve more of the community with our own creche, caf and disabled access.

"It will also allow us to expand our training provision in partnership with Teesside Tertiary College. I am very excited about the future and how, with the support of the local community, we can make a difference.''

The foundation was started by a group of committed Christians from St George's Church, Normanby, Middlesbrough.

Ms Kearney said: "The group decided there were people with all these problems and mental illness, who were being left out.''

The trustees and helpers carry out such support work as counselling and befriending, while professionals from the tertiary college provide the IT training.

"There are a lot of people who are isolated socially, and this is a way of making friends and learning skills,'' said Ms Kearney.

"The idea is to get people into work, to increase their self-confidence and motivation.

"A lot of people lose motivation because they don't think they have skills. We have drop- in facilities so that they can come and play pool."

The charity is in negotiations over its transfer to a permanent home. The organisation has been in its temporary base for two-and-a-half years