A new charity in Harlesden which will help homeless people in the area will be launched on Thursday.

Crisis Skylight Brent will offer work, skills, housing and peer support services to individuals without a roof over their heads.

The new charity was created after Lift, originally set up by homeless people as the Brent Homeless User Group in 2001, merged with national homelessness charity Crisis in April.

Lift has already helped hundreds of people each year to find new homes, gain new skills and find employment and since the merger with Crisis has been able to extend its services.

Atara Fridler, director of Crisis Skylight Brent and former chief executive of Lift, said: “Over a number of years Lift has been able to make a bigger difference for and with disadvantaged people in Brent through collaboration with Crisis.

“So when we considered how we would ensure more resources were available to tackle the drastic increase in homelessness in Brent and really make an impact in ending homelessness, Crisis was an obvious partner.

“Sadly, a further reduction to benefits cap will be affecting more local residents in coming months, meaning that more people in Brent will be faced with homelessness. “

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, Steve Holliday, chairman of Crisis, Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis and Martin Cheeseman, former chairman of Crisis will all give speeches at the launch event taking place at Brent Civic Centre in Engineer’s Way, Wembley, at 6.30pm.

To find out more about the charity visit here.