County Durham community thanks funders who helped transform lifeline venue
A community group has thanked the supporters who helped save a rundown church and transform it into a bustling County Durham venue.
Over the past year, The Welcome Centre in Easington Colliery has become a lifeline to many people in the area..
It hosts a range of activities including youth and lunch clubs, a community garden, pantry and laundry, and support services such as digital skills and employability workshops.
believe housing staff volunteer to clear welcome centre garden (Image: Supplied)
Formerly Easington Colliery Methodist Church, it also remains a place of regular worship, with the Methodist churches of Easington, Horden, Blackhall, and Peterlee holding services in rotation.
The comfortable, bustling venue is a far cry from the building it was in 2022 when it was cold and damp and faced closure due to high maintenance costs and a dwindling church congregation.
Community benefit society, Focus Easington, was established to lease and renovate the church so it could serve the whole community.
Welcome Centre interior before work (Image: Supplied)
One year after opening to the public, volunteers held a thank you event for the funders and supporters who helped them realise their dream.
Angela Surtees, a founder member of Focus Easington, said: "This was always a place of welcome and worship; we needed to retain that while also providing a community facility for everyone in need of support.
"Easington is a community with many needs, and our mission was that no one would have to travel to get help because The Welcome Centre could be the place to turn to.
Rev Bev Hollings at The Welcome Centre, which remains a place of worship ( Easington Colliery Methodist Church ) (Image: Supplied)
"So much time, support, and funding has gone into creating this special place, for people of all ages to enjoy and find the support they need.
"None of this would have been possible without the many volunteers, supporters, local businesses, and social value contributors who got involved and gave their time and money when they found out what we wanted to do.
"As a community, it is very much appreciated."
BBC Look North covered the transformation of The Welcome Centre - here interviewing Faye Gordon, of believe housing_ (Image: Supplied)
Reverend Bev Hollings said: "It is a delight to see the building open every day of the week.
"It is a real hub for the community, whilst remaining a place of worship available for weddings and funerals.
"We recognised that we could not do everything we wanted, as a church alone, and the incredible effort and vision that has gone into this place really fulfils our ambition to serve the community."
Key supporters include the housing association believe housing, which awarded £35,000 towards the building's renovation and had staff volunteer their time to work on the project.
Its contractor, RE:GEN Group, donated £10,000 for the garden and replaced the old kitchen.
Durham County Council facilitated the connection to BAM Nuttall, which transformed the outdoor space for free as part of its A19 civil engineering contract with the council, delivering social value.
Funding was secured from Durham County Council's Towns and Villages programme and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and local charity East Durham Trust provided support and advice along the way.
Rachel Edmunds, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at believe housing, said: "From the earliest discussions, we were completely blown away by the vision for the future and what this building could deliver.
"We're really proud to have helped this project, which is changing people's lives, making a positive impact on the area, and bringing together activities, people, the church, and support services to cement it at the heart of this community."
Rachel McMullen, Social Value Coordinator at RE:GEN Group, said: "We see firsthand how important these organisations are to communities like Easington.
"It is amazing to see the building so full of people, and we're proud to have been part of that journey."
For information on what's on or to volunteer at The Welcome Centre, follow the Facebook page Focus Easington - The Welcome Centre or email focus.easington@yahoo.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Controversial plan to build 'incongruous' houses in Lakeland village refused
A CONTENTIOUS proposal to build three houses in a Lake District Village has been refused. Permission has been denied by the Lake District National Park Authority to build three one-bedroomed two-storey houses in Eskdale Green. Outline approval in principle for the scheme was granted in 2020 on appeal, but the Development Control Committee has rejected an application to approve the plan for the development, due to it's 'incongruous' design, mass and volume. The site in question is an undeveloped piece of land to the rear of properties along Randlehow and Smithy Brow Lane, on the eastern fringe of the village. The decision report states: 'The dwellings would be built into the topography of the site, which rises steeply to the north, resulting in the development appearing as single storey from the north, but two storeys from the public right of way to the south. 'Despite the use of roughcast render and a slate roof, the proposals would be of a non-traditional character and appearance with large, full height glazed openings, integral garages, modern doors and a balcony across the entire south elevation, facing towards the public right of way. The proposed street scene facing south (Image: Anything Drawn Architectural Ltd) 'The proposals would therefore fail to contribute to local distinctiveness and due to their massing and scale would appear as an incongruous form of development, detracting from the character and appearance of the area. 'This harm to the visual amenity of the surrounding area would be experienced in close range views from the adjacent public right of way.' The report addresses public concerns that the size of the houses would facilitate conversion into more than one bedroom. READ MORE: Plans submitted for new holiday park with 100 caravans READ MORE: Lake District holiday park argues no planning breach after allegation made It states that each plot would be serviced by two parking spaces, and that three-bedroomed dwellings would be acceptable in principle, and would meet local housing needs. The report also stated that the development as proposed could 'not realistically be implemented' without obstructing a public right of way, and would therefore be unacceptable in this regard. The report concluded: 'The proposed development, by reason of its design, volume and massing would fail to achieve design excellence or reinforce the importance of local distinctiveness. 'Furthermore, the proposals would obstruct a public right of way, harming the amenity of users of the public footpath.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
City council team wins national award for work to prevent homelessness
An Oxford City Council team has won a national award for its work to prevent homelessness. The housing needs team was crowned Housing Team of the Year at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2025 on June 11. The awards event, with more than 1,200 attendees and more than 100 judges, recognises the best in council achievements across the UK. The housing needs team was recognised for its prevention efforts, its success in reducing rough sleeping, and its long-term focus on improving outcomes for people in temporary accommodation. Oxford City Council's housing needs team at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2025 (Image: Oxford City Council) It was also praised for its multi-pronged and data-driven strategy to prevent homelessness, its commitment to the Housing First approach, and its partnerships with health and other services across the county. Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that our housing needs team has received this national recognition. "Their commitment, creativity, and relentless focus on reducing homelessness in incredibly challenging circumstances is nothing short of inspirational. Councillor Linda Smith (Image: Ed Nix) "This award is a testament to years of hard work, strong partnerships, and a shared belief that everyone deserves a safe and stable home. I could not be prouder of the team." The Local Government Chronicle Awards included a rigorous judging process, with teams presenting their work to panels of senior local government leaders. A spokesperson for the council said: "To win is a powerful endorsement of Oxford's approach to tackling homelessness and housing insecurity."
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Construction begins on $5.5 million veteran housing project in Eagan
With a ceremonial turn of soil on Wednesday, construction of Veteran Village in Eagan, Minnesota, is officially underway. The $5.5 million project, made possible by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), Housing First Minnesota, Lennar Homes and several other contributors, will bring 22 homes to house 36 veterans and their families. "These homes are more than just a roof with four walls," Sofia Humphries, Senior Director of Community Impact for Housing First Minnesota, said. "They represent safety, support and a new beginning." The first-of-its-kind project aims to support and honor our nation's heroes by taking care of the most essential of needs. "You need to know where you are going to lay your head at night, rest and recover to be able to take on the day," Humphries said. MACV's Chief Operating Officer Jon Lovald says in order for veterans to address other life challenges, they need to have the security that a home provides. "Your ability to work on anything else that's going on in your life revolves around having a roof over your head," Lovald said. On average, around 600 veterans enter homelessness each year in Minnesota, making projects like this even more crucial. "Twenty-two units coming online in the year is going to make a huge dent in our ability to continue outpacing veterans who enter homelessness," Lovald said. Construction on the final unit is expected to wrap up in November. For those involved in the build, the homes represent something much bigger. "We're celebrating a shared belief that every veteran in our state deserves safety, dignity, and a place to call home," Lovald said. It's a new community, driven by a mission to serve those who once served us.
