Christmas gifts from the University and Bishopsgarth

The University of Teesside has teamed up with Bishopsgarth Maths and Computing College in Stockton to help the region’s young homeless.

Staff and students at the University have donated gifts and toiletries to two organisations, Nightstop Teesside, who provide support for homeless young people aged 16-25, and the Cornerhouse Youth Project in Stockton which provides support, advice and guidance for young people aged 13-25. Bishopsgarth’s pupils have added to the University’s donations with a shoebox appeal of their own.

Jayne Villiers, the University’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: ‘The University is delighted to help Nightstop and the Cornerhouse Youth Project in their efforts to support local young people. And we’re especially pleased to work in partnership with Bishopsgarth’s pupils. They’ve shown such generosity towards young people who may only be the same age or a few years older than themselves.’

Two Year 7 (aged 11-12) pupils were keen to take part in the shoebox appeal. Nicola Brown said: ‘We’re helping them to make their lives better. Otherwise Christmas would be just another day.’

John Jones said: ‘At Christmas we’ll be having the best time while they’re having a bad time. We are giving them a sense of the good time.’

Rob Bell, a Youth Worker with the Cornerhouse Youth Project is a University of Teesside graduate. He added: ‘It’s great to see the children’s faces light up when getting these presents.’

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