Celebrating Village Halls in Durham and Tees Valley

Village halls are the heart of communities across County Durham and Tees Valley.

They’re spaces where people meet, learn, celebrate, and support one another. From youth clubs and exercise classes to coffee mornings and community events, village halls connect people and promote good health and wellbeing across our region.

At Point North, we’re proud to support local village halls through our grant making, helping them stay safe, welcoming, and open for the communities that rely on them.

Our grants make sure halls can maintain their buildings, improve accessibility, and continue offering activities that matter.

How our funding supports village halls

Through our grant making, village halls across County Durham and Tees Valley can continue to provide spaces for everyone in the community. Some of the halls we’ve supported include:

• Hazelwell Centre – A safe, welcoming space for women’s wellbeing groups, cooking classes, and even sea swimming trips in Seaham. Our grant helped the centre provide weekly sessions for vulnerable women and built confidence, friendships, and community ties.
• Coxhoe Village Hall – A grant from Point North helped Coxhoe Village Hall create social opportunities for older residents. The twice-weekly sessions offered games, coffee, and conversation, helping tackle loneliness and build strong friendships. Volunteers like Stacey developed into leadership roles thanks to these opportunities.
• Bishop Middleham Village Hall – A new Pilates class welcomed visitors who had never been to the hall before. One guest said, “My goodness, somebody loves this place.” Support from Point North has helped keep the hall running efficiently, safe, and inclusive for everyone.
• Other halls across County Durham and Tees Valley – From Bishopton and Woodland to Shotton and Hutton Henry, our grants have helped halls repair floors, replace worn timber, maintain heating through winter, and improve facilities for youth clubs, community groups, and social events.

Why it’s important we support village halls 

Village halls are where communities come together. They help reduce social isolation, give volunteers a place to contribute, and create opportunities for young people and older residents alike. They are central to local culture, celebration, and wellbeing.

We’re proud to support village halls so they can stay open, safe, and at the heart of their communities. Our funding makes sure people can keep coming together for the things that matter most; youth clubs, exercise classes, coffee mornings, craft groups, and celebrations that mark life’s special moments.