RURAL Communities in County Durham will receive a £125,000 boost as part of the government’s levelling up agenda.
Two projects in the area will benefit from the investment as part of the Community Ownership Fund, which will revive a community centre and see an historic building given a new lease of life and put into the hands of the local community.
In Henknowle, Bishop Auckland, the neglected Dorset Place Community Centre will be transformed into a creative and social space, creating volunteering, training, and employment opportunities for the local community.
Backed by over £65,000 the project is set to give up to 10 young adults the opportunity to gain a traineeship and work experience, working alongside contractors and tradespeople on the project.
The historic High House Chapel in Weardale, which had been significantly damaged by flooding and was at imminent risk of being lost, has also been thrown a lifeline with funding from the government.
Read more: Government reveals how it believes it is levelling up the North East
The facility has been an integral part of Weardale life and an iconic symbol of built heritage for the last 260 years.
The new investment is part of of ten projects confirmed today (Thursday) across the UK which will benefit from more than £1.8 million in funding to support much-loved community assets as part of the government’s ambitious plan to level up the whole of the UK.
The £150 million Community Ownership Fund (COF) has been set up to help communities take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of closure.
The first round of successful projects was announced at the government Spending Review in autumn last year.
These projects are two of ten projects across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland which will benefit from more than £1.8 million in funding to support much-loved community assets as part of the government’s ambitious plan to level up the whole of the UK.
Read more: How Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement will affect you
The £150 million Community Ownership Fund (COF) has been set up to help communities take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of closure.
The first round of successful projects was announced at the government Spending Review in autumn last year.
Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O’Brien said: “It’s fantastic to see these important community assets being put into the hands of the people that most care about them.
“By breathing new life into historic and neglected buildings, we are helping to revive areas such as Weardale and Sedgefield by providing more places to work, learn and socialise.
“We are backing communities here and across the country as we work together to level up the United Kingdom.”
How the new Dorset Place Community Centre could look:
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