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Find out about the difference we make to communities in South West County Durham, what the Arts can offer and why our work is important. The Difference We Make "I felt like I was really part of something very special." FOR INDIVIDUALS We know that taking part in creative activities can improve people's confidence and wellbeing. Evaluation of our 2021-2 Thriving Communities wellbeing programme found statistically significant improvements in participants' life satisfaction and sense of doing worthwhile activities. Read the full evaluation report (2022). Participants in our projects often tell us they feel more confident and happier. People with chronic mental and physical health conditions tell us the activities can help to improve their quality of life. "The group is more family than friends. I feel more confident and fulfilled, and have something to take my mind to a happy safe place. Something I want to get out of bed for." Creativity in Crisis participant feedback (2020). IN COMMUNITIES Our staff and board are all local to this area and care about it passionately. We listen to people and work with them to create the culture they feel is important, which has been everything from a Christmas tree to an opera about regeneration. As well as performances, events and installations, our projects have supported people to start their own choirs, gardening projects and community groups. We also support the local economy by employing local artists, businesses, community groups and venues. Watch a film about our work in Dene Valley (2021) People tell us the creative activities make them feel differently about where they live: "It was lovely seeing the community engaging in a positive way. It was also evident that the local people share a real passion for the area." More Than Viable participant feedback (2019) FOR ARTISTS Participatory and community-led creative practice requires skill, technique and experience. We value the amazing artists and creatives we work with, and aim to support emerging artists, giving people opportunities so they can make a living in this rural area. We work with local artists as much as possible, we pay Artists' Union recommended rates, and we provide training and networking opportunities to help build careers. Watch a conversation between participatory artists about so-called 'hard to reach' communities (2020) "[The training] helped clarify my thoughts about my work and express myself more clearly. It introduced new ideas about how to price applications and who I could apply to." Artists' Training & Development Network, participant feedback (2021) WORKING FOR CHANGE We know that change doesn't just happen from the grassroots, and that many of the issues people face are due to policy decisions made far away. This is why we work to improve connections between the arts and non-arts sectors, and share our learning about working with communities. We sit on regional groups and networks, our performances and films have been shown to policy makers and funders, and whenever possible we bring people face-to-face, so that those who make decisions can speak directly with those are affected by them. Watch the film of a project that brought together farmers and conservationists (2021) Our partners and stakeholders have included the Town and Country Planning Association, Durham County Council, Failte Ireland, North Pennines AONB, Natural England, Durham Dales Health Network, Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, Durham University, Newcastle University, Believe Housing and Visit County Durham. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Between May 2021 and June 2022 we ran a social prescribing project called ‘NOW’ - a programme of activities helping to support those living with anxiety, depression, loneliness or mental health issues. It was funded by the National Academy for Social Prescribing and Arts Council England’s pioneering ‘Thriving Communities Fund thriving communities Back to Past Projects Between May 2021 and June 2022 we ran a social prescribing project called ‘NOW’ - a programme of activities helping to support those living with anxiety, depression, loneliness or mental health issues. It was funded by the National Academy for Social Prescribing and Arts Council England’s pioneering ‘Thriving Communities Fund' We worked with three delivery partners: Jack Drum Arts , TCR The Hub and UTASS. Over the course of the programme, our partners delivered more than 130 activity sessions including canoeing, nature walks, dancing, filmmaking, creative writing, arts, and crafts, helping with community events and sometimes just getting together for a cup of tea and chat. Read the full evaluation report here. What is Social Prescribing? Find out here Project Gallery UTASS UTASS Jack Drum Arts UTASS 1/21 Thank you to our generous Funders: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Get in touch with the Northern Heartlands team and we would be happy to help! Get in touch 01833 200220 Northern Heartlands, 3 Witham Studios Hall Street, Barnard Castle DL12 8JB First Name Last Name Email Subject Type Your Message Here Send Thanks for submitting! We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Connected Communities harnesses the power of arts and social prescribing to enhance health, wellbeing, and community resilience across County Durham. Connected Communities Back to projects Cultivate Commissions PlaceLab Pride in Teesdale Setting the Scene We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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 we’re delighted to say that 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: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

View current contract opportunities for Artists to work on projects supporting communities in South West County Durham. Artist Call Outs We have no open opportunities to work with us just now. Keep checking this space and follow us on our socials to hear about any upcoming opportunities. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Find out about the diverse range of projects we are currently working on throughout South West County Durham! Strategic Partnerships Back to projects Text needed, images and/or logos We Need Your Support Today! Donate

View current training opportunities for Artists. Training Opportunities We don't currently have any training opportunities. Visit this site for other opportunities: Create North Throughout 2021, we hosted the County Durham Artists' Network. Click the link below to browse the various presentations that were delivered artists and organisations. Artists' Network We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Setting the Scene is part of the Creative Catalysts project taking part in Witton Park and Coundon between June and September 2024. Setting The Scene Back to Connected Communities Setting The Scene, aimed to encourage participation, the expression of ideas and ignite curiosity. Artists Ronan Devlin and Dominic Smith worked in collaboration within the community to creatively test ideas and explore how local networks can support and define the present and future identities of these communities. By co-creating a programme featuring audio material, newspaper spreads, walks and local events, the project highlighted and helped connect the unique qualities and creativity of the people of Coundon and Witton Park. Click the book to read the final report for Setting the Scene Click the book to add your details to the Northern Heartlands Creative Directory 10 workshops, walks and eventswere delivered to engage communities, 2 final events at local community centres engaged local musicians and children to play, providing space for celebration and community interaction The project culminated in distributing approximately 4000 newspapers throughout Coundon and Witton Park, containing images from community workshops, QR codes linked to audio stories, and reflections from community members Click the headphones to listen to the audio pieces that were created for each page of the newspaper Click the image to see some of the creative activity that took place in Setting the Scene Click the image to read Setting the Scene newspaper Thank you to our generous funders: We Need Your Support Today! Donate