Brooks Newmark, MP for Braintree visited Centrepoint's Derwentside project with the Conservative candidate for NW Durham.  Brooks and Michelle heard first hand the difference that Centrepoint’s support has meant to the eleven homeless young people living in the Derwentside service.

The Centrepoint ‘Life Wise’ programme was also explained to them: an AQA accredited Centrepoint scheme that helps young people gain the life skills and confidence needed to live independently.  The course covers topics such as how to manage a home and how to live a healthy lifestyle on a limited budget.  Young people from the service put their Life Wise skills into action preparing an excellent lunch for the visitors.

Neil Bellerby, Regional Director of Centrepoint services said:

“At least 75,000 16-25 year olds were homeless in the UK in 2006-07. At Centrepoint, as well as providing housing, we concentrate on the emotional, educational, vocational and health support that individuals need to get their lives back on track. This visit was a wonderful opportunity for us to explain that any young person can become homeless and highlight the work we are doing across the UK and especially in the North East.”

Brooks Newmark who is a Conservative Member of Parliament with long-standing links to the North East with a particular interest in education and vocational training said:

"I was extremely impressed by the young men and women at Centrepoint Derwentside.  Their individual determination and ambition to gain the necessary life skills to move their lives forward was admirable."

Michelle Tempest, PPC for North West Durham and NHS doctor said:

“The staff and young people at Centrepoint show that homelessness doesn’t mean helplessness.  The service is a great example of what can be achieved by motivated, dedicated staff working with willing and engaged young people.”