THE support of a town mayor has signalled the acceptance of a charity which helps homeless people, many of whom have criminal records, turn their lives around. Duncan Leatherdale reports.

WHEN Cornerstone first moved into Willington High Street, there was some trepidation about it.

After all, this was an accommodation charity which was taking in homeless people, 90 per cent of whom have some form of criminal record and many of whom have already been turned away from other hostels.

But with each success story comes more acceptance from the local community, and manager Steve Vasey said the people who come to him - mostly men aged between 16 and 30 - soon feel like part of the community.

He said: “They are used to being treated like problems, but once they have been here a while and neighbours say hello to them in the street, they realise there is a way out for them.

“That recognition is so important to them, it’s all part of building their self-worth up and once someone cares about them self, then they will start caring about everyone else.”

Cornerstone currently has two properties in Willington with eight beds and last year helped 32 people, with a further 28 being referred to the charity to learn skills in their workshop.

Cornerstone is not just a place for homeless folk to sleep, it is a place for them to learn new skills (with a focus on joinery) and turn their lives around.

They make a variety of wooden artefacts, such as bird boxes and garden furniture, which they then sell or, as can be seen in the centre of Willington now, given to the community.

Mr Vasey has been helping homeless youngsters for 17 years although Cornerstone only gained charity status four years ago.

Much like the people it is trying to help, Cornerstone is working to keep itself going.

Mr Vasey said: “We are trying to break the cycle for these lads who just hold out their hands and expect money to be given to them.

“Here they learn they have to work for what they want, and they also get to know the satisfaction that brings.

“Cornerstone is the same, while we do rely on donations and grants we are also trying to be self-sustainable and what we make we sell to fund the charity further.”

Cornerstone has a high success rate with 80 per cent of those staying with the charity for at least three weeks committing no more criminal offences.

The charity has now received the support of Willington’s mayor Brian Myers, who said: “I am delighted to become involved in the charity because it has proved so successful.

“Clearly it works, it just needs the community to carry on supporting it to help these people, many of whom are only here because of a downturn in luck or because they weren’t given the best start in life.”