About…

We aim to provide services and a meeting place for all residents of Shildon and the surrounding community, run by volunteers and involving the local community and its organisations regardless of age, race or social background.                                                                

At the heart of the Centre is a thriving community cafe that offers a place to meet those who would be socially isolated. We offer a home cooked meals for minimal cost to those who would most likely not cook for themselves.

The Shildon People’s Centre was established in 1985 following the closure of the British Rail Wagon Works in 1984 which led to a dramatic local economic depression. The old Police Station on Main Street was brought back into use as the Shildon Centre, providing services to help local residents gain new skills, find alternative employment, claim the benefits they were entitled to and encourage social activities.

In November 2005, the County Council announced that from April 2007 the Shildon Centre would no longer receive County Council Funding and local people started a high profile campaign to save the Centre and its services. 

However the former Shildon Centre Management Committee decided to close the Centre and a group of volunteers came forward and offered to work with the existing Trustee’s to save the services but the incumbent committee would not change their decision to close the Centre. It was decided to form a new organisation called the Shildon People’s Centre whose focus would be to continue to offer as many of the existing services as possible. In addition, the Centre has achieved an enviable level of commitment from local people willing to involve themselves in its management and sustainability. The drive and enthusiasm of all make the Centre a friendly and welcoming environment.

We aim to run services from a volunteer base; one of the biggest weaknesses of the previous group was their reliance on a salaried workforce. The Centre has run successfully since July 2007 and with the continued support of both the initial dedicated volunteers and others who have since come forward, the Centre is open on a daily basis to support those who need the Centre most. Due to its central location, the Centre is well known to the residents of Shildon and people from all areas of the town feel comfortable using it.  

Over the past 21 years, the Centre has developed to serve the needs of the community. Now a mature Community Resource Centre, it provides a one-stop shop for information and referral while supporting voluntary and community groups in the town. It serves as a base for the Shildon Youth Service and Shildon Horse Drawn Vehicles of a Bygone Age.

The Centre works with many organisations e.g. Stonham, who provide an invaluable drop-in Outreach Service twice per week and are the UK’s largest provider of support for vulnerable people. There are four drop-in Youth sessions held at the Centre after school during term time and during the holidays for young people aged 11 to 16 years. The History Recall Society, NECA (North East Council on Addictions), CAVOS Outreach drop-in for local people interested in volunteering, Tearaways Drama Group and Bishop FM all meet in the Centre. The Centre provides services to all User groups on the basis of need and service to the community free at the point of use, for those without funding of their own.

The hub of the Centre is the Café which provides a vital social gathering place for residents, particularly those who are vulnerable because of age, mental health, low income or disability. The cafe provides economical home cooked meals and refreshments during the day and is used by community groups on evenings and weekends.

Funded initially through Durham County Council, the Management Committee comprising of volunteer Trustees formed a Company Limited by Guarantee and this was followed by the successful award of Charitable Status.

Durham County Council currently owns the building and has recently agreed to extend the  lease until 2019.  We have recently requested an extension to our lease, due to planned refurbishments which in turn will enhance and expand the services we offer