Lifeline Community Action (LCA) was founded by a group of like-minded Christians in 2009 after they identified a need for debt counselling and practical support for families and individuals in crisis in Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area. The organisation was registered as a charity in July 2010.  All people involved in LCA are volunteers.
LCA’s core activity is the “Helping Hands” project which provides practical support in the form of “household packs” of basic goods and essentials to people in crisis in the Newton Aycliffe area (up to a five mile radius).
The charity has helped over 1,000 people in the last year, but estimate that there are potentially 10,000 people who could benefit. We have just broken through distributing £350,000.00 worth of aid which is a lot more than we anticipated.  As the charity grows we desperately need a fund-raiser, accountant and a PR manager that are also willing to work on a volunteer basis. Would you like to make a big difference in seeing peoples lives transformed?  If so please get in touch with Alwyn.
People are referred to Helping Hands via voluntary and community agencies or by current beneficiaries, and a large number of people ring after seeing a story in the Newton News.  Helping Hands volunteers then work with households to establish what an individual or family’s needs are and which goods would make the most difference.
Most of the people benefiting are having severe financial problems, are in financial crisis and/or in crippling debt. Helping Hands then gives out packs free of charge.
If you need help then we would love to help and reach out to you in times of trouble, and offer emergency assistance, food & support.
Please contact Alwyn  on 07936 431262. We will visit you in the privacy of your home. Every application is dealt with confidentially.
Our volunteers work with people in crisis who are struggling to afford even the most basic items. We’ve helped over 1,000 people in the last year but we estimate that there are up to 10,000 people who need help in the area.
The packs we make up are in response to specific needs – it might be toothpaste, shampoo, laundry powder or dog food, depending on the individual case. It’s a struggle to find the funds and time to deliver our work, but it’s worth it to see the smile on people’s faces when we are able to help.”
Alwyn White
Project Leader