Handcrafted (HC), a Northeast charity supporting vulnerable adults and children with complex needs, is expanding its supported housing services into Sunderland, Durham and Darlington after securing a second social investment loan of £2.265 million from Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) through its Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II).
The new loan will allow Handcrafted to purchase 21 properties, creating 32 new bedspaces of safe, supported accommodation for vulnerable adults, children in care, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Owning these homes gives the charity financial stability, the ability to plan a decade ahead, and ensures resources are invested directly into services rather than rents. It also allows Handcrafted to maintain high property standards and address the acute shortage of specialist accommodation in the region.
Since 2012, Handcrafted has helped individuals rebuild their lives through stable housing, skills training, and creative activities. Its first SASH loan in 2022 was transformational, enabling the purchase of 23 properties, establishing its pioneering “hub model,” as well as helping to professionalise the charity’s operations, strengthen governance, and achieve Ofsted registration. This opened new contracts, expanded services, and allowed the charity to focus on people with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or leaving care or prison.
Dan Northover, CEO at Handcrafted, said: “The first SASC loan helped us build a strong, supportive hub in Gateshead. The second loan allows us to replicate our hub model in Sunderland, Durham and Darlington while strengthening our existing provision. It also gives us the means to plan 10 years ahead, invest in property quality, and take a person-centred approach where we can match the right home to the right individual, which leads to better outcomes and tangible improvements in the lives of vulnerable groups.”
“The loan will enable us to bring that proven model to new areas, providing safe, permanent homes and holistic services to vulnerable adults, children in care, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. It’s about scaling something that works while maintaining quality and tailoring our work to each local community.”
The SASH II funding will establish Handcrafted’s permanent presence in new areas:
Sunderland: Eight one-bedroom homes for adults, four currently leased properties for adults and a three-bedroom property for children’s services.
Durham: Three one-bedroom homes for children’s services.
Darlington: Five one-bedroom homes for vulnerable adults.
Mark Bickford, CEO of SASC, said: “Handcrafted delivers life-changing support to some of the most vulnerable people in the Northeast. By enabling them to own these properties, we are helping to create a sustainable foundation for a model of care that transforms lives, strengthens local services, and provides long-term stability for vulnerable communities.”.
For more information on Handcrafted visit: www.handcrafted.org.uk
For more information on SASC visit: www.socialandsustainable.com
