Frade Middlesbrough

General information

Frade was founded in 1990 by members of faith communities in Stockton on Tees as a practical response to the negative outcomes resulting from the introduction of crisis loans and community care grants in 1988, under the provisions of the Social Security Act 1986.

when stricter criteria and delays in processing claims were causing hardship to claimants, especially those waiting for furniture in order to move into accommodation allocated by social housing associations.

They often faced a stark choice between turning down the accommodation because they had no furniture or living at the empty address in the hope of securing a grant.

The faith communities organised a collection of surplus furniture to support one family.

The response was overwhelming and so frade was born.

Under the careful stewardship of the Board of Directors the charity has maintained its independence and has extended its service to the whole of the Tees Valley sub-region.