Durham charity backed by the Cambridges launches skills house

The Cheesy Waffles Project, a charity based in Gilesgate, near Durham, is renovating a house where young people with additional needs will learn the life skills they need to live independently.

The charity launched its Skills House project in May 2019 and, despite the fundraising challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, it has raised about £92,000 for the project so far.

It has already bought a two-bedroom property, in Sherburn Village, which is being renovated and from the spring it will start hosting residential stays for members.

Project manager, Erika Denholm, hopes the project will promote positive disability awareness in the local community.

Mrs Denholm said: “People with disabilities have the same wants and needs and being part of a little community just gets people used to young people with disabilities.

“They like going to the pub, if they're old enough, they like going to the shop and managing their own money and they like going out and about, they like having friends over.

“So they're exactly the same as others.”

Cheesy Waffles project have bought in Sherburn Village Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The money was raised through donations from local businesses including Howdens and Primula Cheese and funds were allocated to the project by Durham County Councillors for Belmont and Carville.

The money raised for the Skills House will be used to fund staff costs for the residentials and to decorate the house.

Mrs Denholm has asked local businesses to support the charity with doing the property up and donating furniture.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, larger fundraising events the charity had planned had to be cancelled and it has taken Cheesy Waffles longer than planned to raise enough money for the project.

But charity members were able to hold a series of fundraising activities and more than £1,000 was raised in the run-up to Christmas with fairs, raffles and performances.

Cheesy Waffles project have bought in Sherburn Village Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Talking about the difference that the Skills House will make to their life, project member Lee Nettleton said: “It will be good to be part of the community, enjoy activities, going shopping, using the bus and visiting the local pub, community centre and shops.

“It will give me time away from my parents and the opportunity to spend time with my mates.”

Another project member, Sally Poutin, said: “I hope to learn to look after myself and gain independence by learning how to do jobs in the house, making beds, washing up and keeping it tidy. “I will enjoy being with friends, having fun and going for walks in the local area.”

The Cheesy Waffles Project supports approximately 80 young people, aged seven to 35, every year. Members of the charity take part in residentials, trips away, shopping excursions, meals out, sports activities, cookery programmes, wellbeing and performing arts that allow them to develop independent skills.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Cheesy Waffles Project in Durham Picture: STUART BOULTON

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Cheesy Waffles Project in Durham Picture: STUART BOULTON

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the charity in April during their North East tour before their 10th wedding anniversary.

The Royal couple met 25 charity members and heard about their involvement with The Cheesy Waffles Project and how they coped during lockdown before enjoying a game of golf.

The Cheesy Waffles Project is a beneficiary of The Key charity which was chosen by the Cambridges to benefit from donations made to their Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund.

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