Pictured above: Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of The Aspire Group

Hundreds of vulnerable people in Newcastle-under-Lyme will get extra support as Aspire Housing secures a bumper contract with Staffordshire County Council.

Aspire will provide a much-needed 'floating support' service to elderly, homeless and unemployed people, enabling them to live independently in their own homes.

The housing association has won £150,000 funding from Supporting People for the project to assist customers and non Aspire residents in the area.

Three new services are available from Aspire's Independent Living team: Support for people over the age of 55, temporary accommodation for anyone in need of permanent housing, and tailor-made training for 16-25 year-olds seeking work.

The pioneering initiative will also target residents who may be experiencing problems moving into a new home.

Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of The Aspire Group, said: "We are committed to promoting independence and enabling our customers to access, manage and maintain suitable housing, whatever their current situation.

"Through our social enterprise arm PM Training, we are also working particularly hard to help local young people find sustainable employment.

"This floating support provides a valuable lifeline to a wide range of people, and I am delighted we can provide this service for at least the next two years, working with both Staffordshire County Council and Newcastle Borough Council."

The Aspire Group provides more than 20,000 customers with quality affordable homes and services across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

Committed to improving homes and neighbourhoods, and transforming the life chances of local people, it consists of Aspire Housing, PM Training and a soon-to-be-launched charity.