Community House, East Durham Trust, Peterlee
East Durham Trust was formed in 2006 as the result of a merger between Easington CVS and East Durham Community Empowerment Network.
The Trust, while continuing to host the ‘core’ services previously offered by the CVS and CEN, expanded its work into the area of community involvement in public service delivery, winning major contracts from the local authority and PCT and subcontracting delivery to already established community organisations that would not have the capacity to access this funding individually.
The Trust takes a management fee from these contracts which it uses to sustain core CVS services.
In 2007 the Trust moved from a ‘shopfront’ office in Peterlee town centre to the brand new, purpose-built Community House in the north of the town. As well as accommodating the organisation’s own staff, the building contains meeting rooms and rentable office space, providing a useful source of income. Having these facilities in-house also saves significantly on room hire costs for the Trust; most meetings which would have had to have been held externally can be now be held in the building.
Community House was built using Neighbourhood Renewal Fund money which came through the local authority (at the time, Easington District Council). The land was owned by the council and gifted to the Trust. Internal furnishings were funded entirely by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
The council offered in-kind legal support during the asset transfer process, as well as support from their planning department and IT team. The cost of the building took into account the total costs for professional services (i.e. design, architectural services).
A working group was formed which was made up of Trust staff and trustees, and council officers.
The development was a significant investment in a very deprived area. Eden Hill ward is one of the most deprived in the former district of Easington, and the new building has helped to restore a sense of pride in the area. The location of the building has enabled the Trust to bring community services to people on their doorstep. Tenants including the Jobcentre Plus Families First team, the local Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, LEGI Business Coaches service and the local Domestic Violence Forum have all made a positive impact on the community as a whole.
