Around 100 young people across County Durham who are facing homelessness or housing instability will receive vital support thanks to a £60,000 grant from Durham Freemasons to Moving On Durham.
The funding will support a two-year programme delivering person-centred, adverse childhood experience (ACE) informed one-to-one support, helping young people move towards stability, independence, and a more positive future.
For more than 35 years, Moving On Durham has worked at the heart of communities across the county, supporting 16 to 25-year-olds who face homelessness, family breakdown, poor mental health, or significant disadvantage. Through safe accommodation, tailored support and life skills development, the charity helps young people build confidence and establish routes into education, employment, or wider community life.
Each individual works with a dedicated support worker to build a tailored plan focused on housing stability, mental health and wellbeing, alongside developing practical life skills and pathways into education, training or employment. The charity also supports young people in engaging positively with statutory services and building the resilience needed to sustain long-term progress.
While this grant has a strong focus on supporting young mothers and babies, the wider work of Moving On Durham is much broader, helping young people from all backgrounds who find themselves at a disadvantage to build stronger connections, confidence and routes into education, employment and community life.
Peter Richards, Chief Executive of Moving On Durham, said:
“This funding will allow us to step in early with practical, non-judgemental support at a point when young people can be facing enormous pressure.
“For many of the young people we work with, stable accommodation is only one part of the picture. They also need trusted relationships, emotional support, practical skills and opportunities to build confidence.
“Our proven approach has delivered a 96 per cent tenancy sustainment rate in our most recent reporting period, demonstrating how sustained, personalised intervention can help young people maintain independence and avoid repeat crises.
“We’re very grateful to Durham Freemasons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation for helping us extend this work and support more young people across County Durham to move towards independence.”
Wellbeing in action
A key part of the programme is a series of wellbeing activities designed to reduce isolation, build resilience, and improve mental health. During a recent visit to a wellbeing walk in Wolsingham, Durham Freemasons’ Duncan Maw met with Keiron Young (Wellbeing and Opportunities Coordinator) and several of the young people supported by Moving On Durham.
The visit offered a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand how activities such as group walks are helping participants manage the pressures of supported living, improve their mental wellbeing and build supportive peer networks. For many, these informal sessions provide a safe space to talk, reflect, and regain confidence.
Keiron Young said:
“The support from Durham Freemasons is pivotal. Our aim is to improve young people’s life circumstances and wellbeing by creating opportunities they may not otherwise have had.
“Activities like wellbeing walks help reduce isolation, build confidence and give young people the chance to connect with others in a safe and supportive environment.”
Duncan Maw said the experience highlighted just how important these activities are.
“Spending time with the young people and hearing their stories really brings home the impact of this work. These wellbeing activities are not just a nice addition; they are essential in helping people cope, build confidence, and feel part of a community again. It’s clear that this funding is making a real and lasting difference.”
