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Our work Landscape & environment Prev Next Budding Botanists We engaged 2 photographers and a sound artist to work with primary school children, their families and the Teesdale Special Flora Trust. The project explored the rare and unique flora of Upper Teesdale – The Teesdale Assemblage – to understand the environmental factors and challenges affecting its existence. Artists: Louise Taylor , Nat Wilkins , David de la Haye Over 80 school children across 4 Teesdale Primary Schools took part in site visits to Cow Green reservoir, photography and sound workshops The project culminated in ‘Fabulous Flora!’, an exhibition of students’ creative responses, at The Witham, Barnard Castle. Artwork included photography, sound compositions, cyanotype prints and zines making (small magazines) Previous Next

Our work Landscape & environment Prev Next Creatively Connected We were the Creative Producer for Creatively Connected - a programme exploring high nature value farming through artistic enquiry. The programme is part of Tees-Swale:Naturally Connected, a 5-year nature recovery programme managed by North Pennines National Landscape and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority . Key elements included: bringing farmers, residents, landowners, ecologists, conservationists together through creative enquiry exploring challenging concepts, combining different perspectives and amplifying nature recovery activity. evidencing the value of arts and artists in non-arts settings culminating in a dynamic knowledge-sharing event in September 2025 Read the full evaluation report here: The Creatively Connected Team The Creatively Connected project commissioned 5 artists (two working together) to develop a process of creative enquiry in response to the issues of nature recovery and high nature value farming. The project included engagement with community and farmers, with each artist responding to a particular area of focus within the context of nature recovery. The artists worked individually but also shared approaches to their work throughout the project. Select an image below to find out more about each artist. John Coburn - Artist (working with Tim Shaw) Tim Shaw Matt Denham - Artist Azadeh Fatehrad - Artist Laura Harrington - Artist Previous Next

We began life as a National Lottery Heritage Fund Great Place Scheme in 2017. Since then, we have become a registered charity with Charitable Incorporated Organisation status and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. About us / Our story / Our story How it all began Northern Heartlands was founded in 2017 as one of England’s 16 pioneering Great Place Schemes—an ambitious initiative funded jointly by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund . The goal? To explore new ways of investing in arts, culture, and heritage at a local level. Our “great place” was the south-west corner of County Durham, covering: Teesdale and Weardale – rural, isolated villages and hill farms Bishop Auckland & Shildon The former coalfield communities of Tow Law, Crook, and Willington 2017–2020 The Great Place Years Over three years, we delivered a diverse range of projects from small, one-off workshops to a major community opera co-created with local people and Opera North “Song of Our Heartland”. We delivered a small grants scheme funding 47 community-led projects, supported by County Durham Community Foundation, now known as Point North Innovative approaches, including: An 18-month artist/researcher residency with hill-farmers to amplify rural voices Ethnographic engagement with settlements in Dene Valley Parish—once marked for demolition under the Category D scheme A large-scale outdoor arts event (The Man Engine) in Willington, where, as one young person put it, “nothing ever happens” “You brought what I think was a broken community back together - I have never felt so proud in my life” Local resident, The Man Engine event Impact that lasts Our evaluation revealed profound benefits for local communities: Greater pride in the area Increased confidence among individuals Stronger connections to heritage and culture Positive effects on health and wellbeing Read our Evaluation Report Becoming a charity Building trust and relationships with communities and genuinely collaborating takes time - and as the Great Place Scheme drew to a close it became very clear that our work had in many ways only just begun. So we established Northern Heartlands as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to build on the work and expand our mission. Looking ahead We remain committed to working in County Durham — building on strong community relationships and forging new ones. Our aim is simple: to keep culture and creativity at the heart of local life. And with years of experience and knowledge behind us we are now well-placed to extend our work further afield, both regionally and nationally. Be part of our journey. Join us on our journey Donate Partner More about us... Our mission Our team Our story Our impact

In the rush of everyday work, meaningful teamwork can slip under pressure. Our creative approach to team development creates space to pause, reset, and build deeper understanding—helping teams feel more connected, motivated, and effective. Home / What we offer / Team development Stronger teams start with time to reflect, reconnect, and collaborate. In the rush of the day-to-day, meaningful teamwork can slip under pressure. Our creative approach to team development creates space to pause, reset, and build deeper understanding - helping teams feel more connected, motivated, and effective. Through our programmes we have supported organisations to strengthen cooperation, build confidence, and unlock potential within their teams. We use participatory and engaging methods that encourage trust, creativity and shared problem‑solving, enabling people to learn from one another and grow together. We help teams harness the skills, knowledge and insight already present in their workplaces for improved results. CASE STUDY North Peninnes National Landscape Whole organisation development. Why: Much of the work undertaken by staff within the North Pennines National Landscape team is project-based. Whilst most projects are landscape-scale, multi-year environmental programmes, there is little interaction between staff working on different projects, and core staff rarely have the chance to learn about the day-to-day work of project team members. What happened: Working closely with the commissioning body (NPNL) we designed a team development session that would ensure that the whole organisation would be more aware of one particular strand of work that the organisation was leading on. All staff were invited to attend a creative team development morning - with lunch included. The session was held off site, avoiding any distractions or interruptions and all staff were given the opportunity to attend, from senior management to the finance team as well as environmental specialists and trainees. Outcomes: Staff gained a clearer understanding of the featured programme and how it connects to the wider organisational mission. Increased interaction between teams who rarely have the chance to work together. Stronger sense of shared purpose across project teams, core staff and senior leadership. A more connected organisational culture, with staff reporting greater appreciation of each other’s work. Get in Touch – clear call‑to‑action with enquiry form and contact details Let’s talk… Let’s explore how our creative approaches can help you connect meaningfully with the people at the heart of your success. Get in touch

Our work Landscape & environment Prev Next Cuthbert's Moor Cuthbert’s Moor is an area of peatland, heath and grassland habitats that support birds including lapwing, snipe, redshank, curlew and golden plover, short-eared owl and black grouse, all species which are declining nationally due to changes in land use. This site in Teesdale, County Durham lies within the North Pennines National Landscape boundary and is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI). Working in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust, we engaged an artist to work with a community group and secondary school students to explore environmental challenges and the critical role of peatlands in the UK's ecosystem. Project impact 6 Felting sessions with UTASS, Middleton-in-Teesdale and with students from Teesdale School took place with artist Claire Priestley Over 40 Participants explored ideas about the importance of the peat and environmental factors 2 collaborative artworks were created in response by participants using wet felting techniques and needle felt. Artwork was exhibited at Teesdale School in 2024 and at Bowlees Visitor Centre in 2025. Previous Next

Listen to a Q&A with Gez Casey from the Arts Council about funding applications. Q&A with ACE Back to past projects Q&A with Gez Casey 00:00 / 40:18 Back to the Artists' Network Click below to listen to the Q&A with Gez Casey from the Arts Council about how to write a successful funding application. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

A Heritage Fund project exploring the history of Willington in County Durham and encouraging local people to connect with their heritage. Hidden Heritage and wellbeing Back to Past Projects Hyem Fest! Over the course of a year spanning 2022-23, we worked with the community in the former mining town of Willington – building on our previous event The Man Engine – helping schools, community groups and care home residents explore the story of their town from medieval times to the present day. The whole project culminated in an exciting event on the Town Green and the information gathered from feedback indicated that wellbeing increased for those who take part, as well as a wider group of people inspired by heritage. We started with 70 volunteers helping to celebrate the beacon lighting as part of the Platinum Jubilee back in June 2022 and ended with Hyem Fest! in July 2023. Read the Hidden Heritage & Wellbeing report by University of Birmingham here Visit the website dedicated to Hidden Heritage here . Hidden Heritage and Hyem Fest! Play Video Play Video 03:16 Time Detectives The "Time Detectives" took the children of 5 primary schools in Willington and surround area on a whistle-stop tour through history to help the Detectives find their way back to the rightful place in time in the distant future. On the way, the children discovered more about where they live and what it means to them. Play Video Play Video 02:25 Pathways through Time - Print Workshop As part of our Hidden Heritage & Wellbeing project in Willington, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we hosted a series of print workshops with professional Artist, Sara Cox. Participants were encouraged to think about the journeys they take in the place where they live then represent these using simple printing techniques onto a canvas bag. The process gave an opportunity for participants to consider their place from a different perspective, thinking about what's important or meaningful about it and how it makes them feel. Play Video Play Video 02:59 Pathways through Time - Animation As part of our Hidden Heritage & Wellbeing project in Willington, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we hosted a series of animation workshops with professional Artist, Sherly Jenkins. Participants were encouraged and supported to think about their place and its heritage, and the effect of both on their wellbeing, using story-telling through animation to express their thoughts and ideas. Play Video Play Video 02:27 Getting Ready for the Hyem Fest! Parade Hear all about what the primary school children in Willington and surrounding villages have been doing to prepare for the Hyem Fest! parade on Saturday, 15th July in Willington. Play Video Play Video 05:47 Hyem Fest! Turtley Willington Hyem Fest! in Willington on Saturday, 15th July 2023. Despite unpredictable weather (it rained a lot!!), "Turtley Willy" received a warm welcome from the people of Willington on the Town Green and had a fantastic time in the parade with the Time Detectives, school children from Hunwick Primary, Our Lady & St Thomas' Primary, St Stephen's Primary, Sunnybrow Primary and Willington Primary, community members, dancers from the Sandra Welsh School of Dance and New Brancepeth Revellers. The Time Detectives Time Detective Jo in action Crowd at Hyem Fest The Time Detectives 1/13 Thank you to our generous Funders:

A partnership between Northern Heartlands and Teesdale Special Flora Trust funded by the Governments Green Recovery Challenge Fund through National Lottery Heritage Fund. Plants on the edge Back to Past Projects During 2022-2023 we partnered with Teesdale Special Flora Trust in this exciting project funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Trust was set up to continue the work of the inspiring and renowned botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw who, at the age of 98 (in 2024), still leads walks, oversees monitoring and surveying activity and gives talks on the ‘Teesdale Assemblage’ – a collection of rare alpine plants unique to Upper Teesdale and threatened with decline as a result of climate change. The project included schools workshops, a series of public talks and a touring exhibition. Find out more about Plants on the Edge here Project Gallery Teesdale's famous Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna) Model of the Spring Gentian by Yrs 3 & 4 at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary Archaeology and botany walk in Upper Teesdale Teesdale's famous Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna) 1/7 Thank you to our generous Funders:

Our work Creative health Prev Next Take Part in Teesdale We delivered Take Part in Teesdale, a Creative Lives Know Your Neighbourhood Project funded by UK Government and Arts Council England. The project used arts activities to build skills, confidence, resilience, and empower participants to connect to the communities where they live. Weekly creative sessions took place in the rural villages of Butterknowle Cockfield, Evenwood, and Woodland. NHS Social Prescribing Link Workers referred local people who were experiencing loneliness, isolation or other wellbeing related needs. Participants could also self-refer. We were awarded further funding to deliver a second round of Take Part in Teesdale in Barnard Castle from November 2025 to February 2026. The following artists delivered creative sessions to participants: Alice Byrne, Laura Degnan, Ronan Devlin, Louise Goult, Chloe Hedley, Claire Priestley, Louise Taylor, Sarah Wilson This playful and collaborative film was created by participants working with artist Laura Degnan. Participants were invited to see the world in different ways and explore their surroundings with curiosity. See the joint publication created by participants and supported by artist Ronan Devlin. 27 adults took part in arts activity exploring photography, filmmaking, creative writing and textiles 44 weekly sessions were delivered by 9 different artists  Free transport was provided to widen access A dedicated support worker attended each session Previous Next

We began life as an Arts Council and Heritage Fund Great Place Scheme in 2017. We have now become a registered CIO and an Arts Council England National Portfoliol Organisation. Trusted, creative community engagement. About us We work with people to celebrate the unique identity of a place, valuing its heritage and culture, and fostering creativity. By amplifying local voices, we help empower communities to overcome challenges and imagine new possibilities so meaningful change can happen. Our programmes involve bringing together artists, communities and partners in their own spaces and places through consultation, engagement, activity and events. We work in places where creative engagement can make a big difference and can lead to policy and practice which is better informed by community need and aspiration. We are a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. We have an office based in County Durham. We understand that every community and every organisation is different so our partnerships always start with a conversation and we listen first. "Working with Northern Heartlands has helped us to be braver around using creative enquiry to explore aspects of our work, especially with the farming community. The arts are not an add on, they have helped us find ways to articulate what we do, and to provide broader pathways for people to engage with us, and with their landscape." Director, North Pennines National Landscape. Since 2017, we've seen firsthand how the creative power of communities can bring about positive change. From connecting under-represented groups and supporting individual health and wellbeing, to working alongside local groups to champion our landscapes and environment, each initiative has show what becomes possible when people come together with purpose. Our mission, vision and values Workshop Participant “I personally have grown - gained confidence and feel more able to be myself” More about us... Our team Our team has extensive experience in the development and leadership of creative programmes, working with and alongside a national network of creative practitioners. Meet our team Our story Discover the story of how Northern Heartlands began - its origins, purpose and the early projects that shaped its direction. Our story Let’s talk… Get in touch to find out more

We rely on generous donors to continue providing vital opportunities to local communities. Read about how you can support Northern Heartlands and why it is so important to us. Support Us Will you help us? As a small charity, anything you can give will make a difference. Your donation could help a vulnerable person attend a wellbeing session, or pay an artist to create something amazing with a community. See Our Projects Help us make a difference! Donate now Donate

A new heritage trail through Bishop Auckland Bishop Auckland heritage Back to Past Projects "On the Map" co-created by textile artist Gillian Arnold with local schools and members of the community BISHOP AUCKLAND HERITAGE TRAIL.pdf CLICK IMAGE FOR BISHOP AUCKLAND HERITAGE TRAIL AUDIO Scan this QR code to find out more about Bishop Auckland history and heritage