A SOCIAL housing provider is looking to breathe new life into a community hub by offering a series of training courses.

Dale and Valley Homes, of South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland, has taken on the running of Mickle Grove Community Hub.

The centre in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, was run by Durham County Council. The authority asked Dale and Valley Homes to take over the management of the building.

Dale and Valley Homes, which manages about 4,000 former council houses in the Wear Valley area, upgraded the facilities.

The group fitted a new kitchen and a disused flat above the centre has been turned into a training area where various groups can hold sessions.

The centre also houses a village Post Office and it will be Wifi enabled.

It was officially opened under the new management today (Tuesday, March 31) with a series of Easter fun activities.

Sarah-Jane Morris, communications co-ordinator at Dale and Valley Homes, said: “We held an open day to allow the local community to see what we had on offer there.

“We will offer courses to help people gain employment and we have also created links with Bishop Auckland College to provide sessions.

“Coundon and Leeholme Children’s Centre is to provide a portable nursery service so parents can attend the centre too.”

Dale and Valley Homes is also fundraising for charity at the centre today and will engage with people on Facebook to decide which local charity to support.

The hub is available to hire for £5 per hour or £35 for the day with details via Amy Glendinning on 07771 371425.