News & Resources

Handcrafted 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)

Last week, the NOCN Group Foundation hosted its inaugural Awards Evening, where Handcrafted was proud to be named one of nine organisations selected as the first recipients of funding through the 2026 Skills Innovation Fund.

Handcrafted has been named a proud recipient of £25,000 funding from the Durham Police and Crime Commissioners’ Office to support vulnerable women across Country Durham and Darlington.

Last week, we welcomed Education Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister, Bridget Phillipson, to our new Sunderland hub. During her visit, she met with one of our women’s groups and even stepped into the workshop to craft her own key ring on the lathe!

Our new Durham Hub has received a generous donation from the Durham Freemen, helping us furnish our new classroom. “We are pleased to support a project which will assist individuals on the margins of our society build confidence and coping skills”

“We were particularly impressed by Handcrafted Project’s application. The support they offer is truly holistic, and they have created a real sense of community for the people they help, empowering them to learn new skills and challenge any perceptions they may hold about themselves.”

As Big Issue Invest celebrates achieving £100m of social investments during its first 20 years, executive chair Mark Porter reflects on the UK social investor’s journey so far and the challenges that lie ahead – for the organisation and for the social investment movement as a whole.

In partnership with Durham Cricket, Handcrafted’s Engage Hub were able to take some of their Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children to enjoy a summer of cricket at Seat Unique Riverside in Chester-le-Street

Handcrafted selected as recipient of funding to research new models for housing Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASCs).

Big Issue highlight our work with homeless people.

We’re pleased to be featured by Good Finance in a case study about how social investment is helping Handcrafted grow, strengthen our buildings and create more opportunities for people facing disadvantage and social exclusion.

Our CEO explains the impact of a £150,000 investment into our housing.

Handcrafted win a prestigious award for our work in the area of welfare.

Dan, our CEO, is interviewed on the role of social enterprise in the homeless sector.

Social and Sustainable Capital Invest £2m to grow our housing and training provisions.

The Salvation Army visit our woodworking and training workshops.

Through an innovative mortgage from Kingdom Bank, our work is even more sustainable - enabling us to renovate more homes, support more people, and continue helping homeless and vulnerable adults rebuild their lives through skills, community, and purpose.

Our 2025 Impact Report shares how we’ve supported over 700 people across the North East through housing, training, community, meals and practical support.

Our trustees’ report and annual accounts for 2024. Received by the Charity Commission on the 28th October 2025.

A report on the impact we saw in the lives of our trainees from January to June 2025, featuring some incredible stories of new opportunities and transformation!

A report of our impact between July and December 2024.

Our trustees report and financial accounts for year ending 31st December 2023.

Our trustees report and financial accounts for year ending 31st December 2022.

Introducing our custom-built impact measure - the Empowerment Matrix.

Our trustees report and financial accounts for year ending 31st December 2021.

There is such a clear need and repeated call for us to be doing more of the good work that we have seen over the last eleven years. This plan sets out our core values and vision for seeing more people turn their own lives around.