Finchale Group invests to help more Veterans and their families

Finchale Group invests to help more Veterans and their families

Off By Ed Hanna

A vital support organisation for Veterans has invested £2m in a new strategy to help even more Veterans and their families.

Finchale Group – which also helps ex-offenders and other disadvantaged groups – is preparing to move into purpose-built headquarters in the heart of the community it serves.

The independent charity works with Veterans in their own communities, helping them navigate complex problems and make positive changes in their lives.

Finchale Group’s team of professional case managers already helps hundreds of people with money problems, confidence and mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse and resolve issues with housing.

New premises

Work continues on the new headquarters at Belmont Business Park, which Finchale Group will move into later this year. The move will see Finchale Group leave its current premises, Finchale Training College, which was founded in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for Service personnel returning from active Service.

The new premises will be named Richard Annand VC House, after war hero, Captain Richard Annand, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1940, and worked for 30 years as a personnel officer at Finchale Training College after the Second World War. CEO of Finchale Group, Melvin Pears MBE, said: “I believe our relocation will make Finchale Group stronger than ever and provide us with the foundation to reach more people across the North East, delivering one-to-one support in their homes and communities.

We’re incredibly proud of the work we do for people in the North East and our ambition is to expand that work even further afield.

Our new home is being created close to public transport, leisure and sporting facilities, a wide range of training and employment opportunities, incorporating training suites that can be hired, a drop-in centre, fantastic IT facilities, easily accessible office space and parking space all to enhance our clients’ and our community experiences.”

Making contact

Finchale Group’s team is highly responsive – always making contact with clients within 48 hours of referral. The new base will accommodate the professionally trained team as it delivers new services designed to address complex needs. Finchale Group has carefully invested in a futureproofed strategy that means it can deliver professional help to even more people in the region.

Mel added: “Many of our case managers have a Military background, giving confidence to the ex-Forces personnel and family members we support. Our work is family focused because we understand one person’s struggles can have such a profound impact on those around them.

We’re invested in helping our clients overcome challenges and reach their potential.”

The specialist build is being overseen by property developers, Mandale Group. Mandale’s estates director, Joe Darragh said: “Mandale is incredibly proud to be part of this hugely significant project. Richard Annand VC House will be a truly first-class facility for those who most need and deserve support. The high-quality build and bespoke fit-out will be the result of many months of planning with Finchale Group.”

More information about Finchale Group

Finchale Group is an independent charity and leading provider of specialist employment programmes that support people with complex barriers to employment.

Visit: www.finchale.org
Tel: 0191 386 2634
Email: enquiries@finchale.org