The Archbishop of York has launched a new Church Urban Fund grant scheme to address poverty.

The Together programme will distribute £1m in funding to church and Christian projects tackling poverty across England.

Archbishop John Sentamu was visiting Durham-based project, Handcrafted, today to launch the grants programme.

Handcrafted is a Christian project that provides tailored training to help people disadvantaged by crime, unemployment, alcohol or substance abuse, to find a job and also serves the local community by providing affordable repairs.

The Archbishop said: "The Church of England can be very proud of the Church Urban Fund and the work that is done to support the poorest in our society.

"I am delighted to launch this new £1m Together Grants programme. We are called to bring good news to the poor and the Church Urban Fund helps make this a reality."

Paul Hackwood, Chair of Church Urban Fund said: "Poverty is so much more than simply a lack of money; it is a lack of the relationships that create human flourishing.

"We work through the church to provide a network of support for those who are excluded, that empower the poorest and most marginalised to take their proper place in society – Handcrafted is a great example of this work."