ASHINGTON LIFE CENTRE (The Old Police Station) is operated by registered charity REAL DEAL PLUS. It is vital that we secure this facility for the people of Ashington. We provide a safe place for people in crisis to sleep for a few hours, affordable (or if needed, free) food & companionship in our welcoming Community Café, or from our emergency Food Bank. Clothing, baby items, shoes & books from an Aladdin's Cave Community shop. A community allotment providing fresh fruit & veg, also used for well-being & therapy. A low-cost furniture supply scheme to help people avoid dangerously high-interest hire-purchase agreements. Public yet private and comfortable showering & clothes-washing facilities, essential sleeping bags, clothes, food, tents and shelters for street sleepers. A Job Club with employment & interview coaching, access to computers & non-judgemental IT support. A Teen Bar (safe hang-out facilities for teenagers). An Army of well-trained staff, mentors & confidantes. Stunning & unique community performance & meeting spaces, volunteering opportunities and so much more.
The project as it stands today originally blossomed from the simple desire to exist as a place of refuge & companionship for those who are trying to make it alone with no existing support network or have been let down by the systems that provide well for most of us throughout our lives yet allow so many of the most vulnerable and isolated people - especially those suffering from the many forms of poverty - to fall through the net. PLEASE SUPPORT us as we raise funds to secure this building and the vital support services it provides not just for Ashington but the whole of South East Northumberland. We currently have a 10 year lease and have already secured a substantial pledge towards the purchase but still need to raise £120,000 to secure the future of this fabulous, unique and identifiable building that we have revitalised as an essential and vital community resource.