A NEW £1m charitable foundation has opened to support communities across the North-East.

Housing association, Bernicia has started a foundation which will channel profits from the business’s commercial property arm Kingston and invest them into people in need across the region.

The foundation will be led by Andrea Malcolm, Bernicia’s director of people, culture and communications, and a board of trustees. Andrea said: “The Bernicia Foundation is an exciting opportunity for us to award grants to organisations committed to delivering real community benefits, such as tackling loneliness and accessing employment opportunities, as well as providing support for young talent to flourish.”