The charitable arm of North East housing association Bernicia, The Bernicia Foundation, has celebrated exceeding £1m in grants.

The momentous total was reached just months after the Foundation's fourth anniversary.

The millionth pound of support was granted to a North Tyneside charity, Headliners' 'Tyne on Your Side' project.

This endeavour empowers young individuals that are leaving the care system and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to develop employment skills and personal independence.

The Bernicia Foundation was established to support individuals, groups, and communities within Bernicia's operating areas.

Its inaugural grants were awarded in February 2020, during the economic and social challenges induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Operating through Inclusion and Inspiration Grants, the Foundation has provided assistance to charities, third-sector organisations and individuals, paving the way for improved living standards for those across the North East.

In surpassing the £1m milestone, 95 organisations were granted with Inclusion Grants of up to £10,000, with 33 young individuals receiving Inspiration Grants of up to £1,000.

In addition, Covid-19 support of £200,000 was donated to local authorities to deliver to community support charities.

Bernicia's chief executive, John Johnston stated: “The Bernicia Foundation was created with a £1m funding pledge from Bernicia Group and we’re delighted to achieve this milestone in supporting communities and talented young people at a time when arguably they need our help the most.

"The grants are made possible due to the success of Bernicia’s commercial company Kingston which gift aids its profits to the Foundation.”

The donated funds support a number of projects such as poverty relief, addiction support for individuals and their families, disability assistance, job creation, and support for care leavers.

Initiatives also include schemes for neurodivergence, in addition to enabling young sports people and musicians.

Charity manager at Headliners, Holly Ayrton said: "The Inclusion Grant from The Bernicia Foundation has enabled us to develop a fantastic programme that will give care leavers and young people with SEND the means to make good choices in their own lives.

"We are delighted to receive the foundation’s one millionth pound of funding and to put it to good use in supporting the professional and personal development of young people across the North East.”

The Bernicia Foundation's director, Jenny Allinson, said: “The Foundation was specifically created by Bernicia to support projects and initiatives that deliver real and lasting benefit to communities where our tenants live and help talented young people striving to reach their goals in life.

"To be able to invest a further £1m in the North East at a time of such economic challenge for many is a privilege for the foundation trustees, and we’re thrilled to see the difference it makes to so many lives."

Applications for the Bernicia Foundation’s upcoming Inclusion and Inspiration Grants will reopen on July 1, and will run until August 10.

Awards from these grant rounds are expected to be delivered in autumn 2024.