The initial aim of Cornerstone was to offer a service to the local residents in a relatively deprived area of Gateshead as a comfortable place to visit and sit over coffee in the café, meet people, get a few bargains in the little shop, or talk to a trained ‘listener’ if necessary.

Local council health workers visit regularly to monitor blood pressure and weight for those who are interested and the neighbourhood police officer pops in with advice as well.

Open once a week, Sheriff Hill Methodist church starts from 10am until 1:30pm and is staffed by volunteers from local Methodist chapels and the Anglican parish church.

From the profits of the shop and café Cornerstone chooses a charity each year to donate to, and this year CdLS was the fortunate recipient as a gentleman with links to the church had a relative with CdLS.

In May, the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Michael Hood, presented a cheque for £3000 to the CdLS representative of the day, Maddie Gates.

Maddie is a 15- year-old pupil from the Northern Counties school, Newcastle upon Tyne. Maddie attended with her support worker Beverly Shipley.