The strong and committed communities of East County Durham

"Easington isn't just a deprived area—it has been forgotten." Kirstie, a community volunteer from the Welcome centre in Easington Colliery explains.

Following the closure of the coal mines in East County Durham, many communities in small towns and villages in the area have experienced years of unemployment, underinvestment and reduced opportunities. Over the last 2 years, Kids Kabin teams have had the opportunity to work with a number of amazing community organisations and committed volunteers and residents in Easington, Blackhall, Haswell and Wheatley Hill.

Local community centres and volunteers and the Kids Kabin team have worked alongside 212 young people, making pottery, building woodwork, cooking recipes, creating arts and crafts projects, helping elderly people, and visiting local beaches and places of interest. 115 workshops have taken place in community centres and out on the streets.

Summer 2026: Young people from East Durham on a trip to Beamish

Projects have brought together the skills and creativity of young people, families, staff and volunteers. For example, woodwork in Haswell. Young people in Haswell have realised that they love working with wood and using tools. However, they didn’t have any woodwork tools, benches or materials. They took action, organising a local litter pick to raise money for electric drills. Kids Kabin had recently received a brilliant donation of tool boxes, tape measures, hammers and more from Jewson Partnership Solutions – this equipment has been shared, bringing benefit to more people. Young people in Haswell constructed a woodwork bench. The result – weekly woodwork sessions take place in the community centre!

Receiving our toolbox donation from Jewson, which helped get more young people into woodwork activities in our East Durham locations

Matthew, 16, who helped set this up, describes it well: “I love using my hands, and keeping busy, making useful things and showing people how to use tools.”

Young person in Haswell showing us her woodwork project

Looking ahead, we’re really excited to continue growing our work across East County Durham. Plans are underway for training community volunteers and youth leaders, as well as new collaborations and projects. Above all, we’re grateful for the warm and open welcome we’ve received in communities.

Alison Paterson, Manager of Blackhall Community Centre, shared: 

"Kids Kabin is working with our local volunteers to reach young people that we've always found it difficult to engage, by welcoming them into the centre rather than sending them away. It's a brilliant example of when partnership working really works, building community cohesion and bringing new footfall. In five words, Kids Kabin is: Intergenerational, Creative, Practical, Authentic and Consistent."