A charitable organisation helping children and families in the North East by giving them help to improve and build new relationships is now moving to the next phase of development.

Changing Futures North East will deliver its Hartlepool Healthy Relationships scheme, which was supported by a £1.56 million grant, as two new experienced professionals join their management team to help carry on its pioneering work.

The organisation was set up under its current system two years ago and was initially set up as ‘Headland Future’ before being rebranded and opened up to people who live throughout the North East region.

Along with carrying out ground breaking work in their Healthy Relationships project, the organisation has a team of staff and volunteers who support and help families and children who need help to overcome challenges they face in their lives.

The charity also provides family mediation along with other types of help under their Moving On scheme to separated couples, including mediation to help them avoid going through court.

The Early Action Neighbourhood Fund has provided the £1.56 million grant, which is a funding pot contributed to by the Big Lottery Fund, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Comic Relief.

With this investment, Changing Futures North East is well positioned to help people have even healthier relationships and hopes to ultimately ease the demand on public services.

Graham Alton, Chief Executive of Changing Futures North East, said: “We are in an excellent position, and our aim to make sure we are always helping everyone involved in Hartlepool’s Children & Families Workforce to build on the good work they do and be even more effective at helping families and children have a range of happy, healthy relationships.

“Hartlepool, like other areas, faces huge social and financial challenges, and limited money means that it can be difficult to support people early enough, before their problems get worse.”