Events Turning the Hourglass We are re-establishing ‘HeART of the Matter’: our popular series of lively, inspiring and creatively-fueled Speaker and Discussion events in County Durham. Turning the Hourglass is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Click RSVP for more information and to register on Eventbrite When 15 May, 12:30 – 17:30 Where The Witham Arts Centre, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle DL12 8LY, UK RSVP We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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The Team Jill Cole Director Jayne Bradley Office and Systems Manager Anna Collins Project Development Manager Naomi Priestly Volunteer and Engagement Officer Plants on The Edge The Board Graham Young Chair Jane Hartley Trustee Krystal Wilson Trustee Amanda Tutin Trustee Tony Harrington Trustee We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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We believe in the creative power of communities to bring about change. Our Mission Current Projects Our work is made possible by: Our vision is for strong, connected, and healthy local communities, where people are actively involved in shaping their lives and their environment Support Us And help our communities Donate Now Community member "Thank you for making this fab event happen."

Artist Call Outs Here you will find Artist call outs for projects we are delivering. We have two opportunities available, click the link(s) for further info and how to apply: ​ an opportunity for experienced participatory artists to deliver creative sessions as part of our social prescribing activity. Northern Heartlands Social Prescribing Call For Artists An opportunity for creative workshop support workers for our current projects in Willington and Bishop Auckland areas Workshop Support Worker Brief ​ ​Call outs are often shared via our mailing list so make you subscribe using the form at the bottom of this page. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Artists' Space Click on one of the options below to see resources and opportunities for Artists! Artist Call Outs Training Opportunities See creations from previous workshops in the gallery below! 1/15 We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Opportunities Volunteer Volunteer with us We are always on the look out for willing volunteers to help support our work. ​ If you'd be interested in volunteering for us, send an email to info@northernheartlands.org and we will be in touch! ​ Call outs are often shared via our mailing list so make you subscribe using the form at the bottom of this page. Work with us Work with us We’re not currently recruiting any staff, but do keep an eye on this page if you’re interested in working with us As a Registered Charity, we currently have a small but very effective team of Trustees, but we’re on the lookout for more! We would be very interested in hearing from you if you share our values, believe in our vision and mission, and you have expertise in finance and fundraising, and/or if you’re from one of the communities in our area of benefit in County Durham. Click on the button below for our Trustee Recruitment Pack. If you are an Artist, click below to go to our current opportunities. Go to Artist Call Outs Trustee Recruitment Pack We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Here you can find out all about our current projects. Social Prescribing Hidden Heritage Stories from Ukraine Turning the Hourglass Plants on the Edge Bishop Auckland Heritage Projects Past Projects We Need Your Support Today! Donate

stories and memories from ukraine Back to projects We’re delighted to be hosting ‘Stories and Memories from Ukraine’ on our website. ​ OLEK DEV, based in Kyiv when war broke out back in February 2022, has spent his time recording memories and traditional stories from some of the older generation who have remained in the city throughout the Russian invasion. ​ The project provides a way for Ukrainians here in UK and across the globe to listen to some lovely authentic Ukrainian voices – and for those surviving the turbulence in their own country to share stories from happier times. ​ Here's the link to hear the authentic voices: Memories of Ukraine ​ Here are the verbatim tranlations by Olek: ​ Lyudmila Hryhorivna ​ Galena ​ Fairy Tale Ivasyk Telesyk ​ Elena Vladimirovna ​ Zinaida Pavlovna ​ We Need Your Support Today! Donate

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING Back to projects Thriving Communities Believe Housing Project Gallery UTASS UTASS Jack Drum Arts UTASS 1/21 Thank you to our generous Funders: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

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