Housing management charity Shelter is today launching a range of new and expanded services for those living in the north-east.

Shelter will now offer a text message advice service for anyone in need of help or advice in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, Northumberland or North and South Tyneside.

Users simply send a text to 80010, starting with the word ‘Shelter’, followed by their name and the town they are in. Qualified advisers with careers in housing will then call back to discuss how the charity can help.

Professionals will also be on hand to help with disability or care needs as well, as Shelter has seen that many of the problems are interconnected.

Tracy Guy, manager of Shelter North East said: "We are really excited to be able to offer these new services to homeless and badly housed people in the region.

"Not only are Shelter’s advice workers now just a text away, but we are able to help with a greater range of problems."

In addition to housing, Shelter North East has also launched a specialist legal advice service to advise on obtaining an assessment for care, health and accommodation needs.

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