The CRT in Horden

In 2017, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust transformed an empty end of terrace house in Horden, County Durham, into a warm and welcoming community hub. The CRT Horden Hub House quickly established itself at the heart of the community and has been the foundation behind an expansion of the CRT’s offer in the area.

Since then, CRT has been delivering long-term, place-based support in Horden, taking action in a community that is facing some of the most complex social and economic challenges in the country. What began with the transformation of an empty end of terrace house into a vibrant community space has grown into a coordinated, collaborative effort that is helping residents tackle isolation, poor health, skills inequalities, unemployment, and poverty.

The CRT Horden Hub House has played a vital role in this journey. More than a building, it has become a shared community base – where CRT staff and partners provide trusted, local support directly on people’s doorsteps. From recovery groups and wellbeing sessions to housing and job support, the Hub House is used daily by organisations including the Horden Together team, PCP, Believe Housing, NE First Credit Union, Street Wardens, and local health professionals.

From there, the CRT’s wider strategy has brought key programmes into the area. With a dedicated Community Connector and Health and Wellbeing Coach now based in Horden, CRT Engage is offering intensive, person-centred support for local people who need it most. This support helps residents improve their health, gain new skills, and move towards employment. In a community where many people face multiple, complex barriers, this kind of comprehensive, human approach is making a visible difference.

In Horden, 10 local organisations are also a member of our CRT Support programme – receiving tailored support including training, data and information, capacity building and funding support. Thanks to the efforts of CRT’s Regional Development Manager, these members have been supported with funding applications totalling over £120,000 – of which more than £75,000 has already been successfully secured. These funds are now helping organisations expand their work, reach more people, and offer life-changing opportunities.

Most recently, CRT Game On has expanded into Horden with a new weekly football session for young people aged 11–18, delivered in partnership with Groundwork NE and Durham County Council – Move. The session adds a new strand to the CRT offer – supporting young people through sport, helping them stay active, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills. 

Crucially, CRT is not working alone – a consortium of partners has grown over recent years known as Durham Together. A partnership of CRT, Cornforth Partnership, Durham Community Action, Wheels to Work and WEA are working together to deliver employability and skills support across the county. Through this partnership approach, CRT is helping to unlock new opportunities for residents and build a more connected, resilient local support system.

The impact of CRT’s place-based approach can be seen in a range of growing local projects:

• A weekly community café, creating jobs and a warm, welcoming space to connect.
• A new affordable food hub, building on the success of the Hub House pantry, now being developed in partnership with the Salvation Army and County Councillor to meet rising demand.
• Health and nutrition courses, providing cookery skills, equipment, and personalised wellbeing advice.
• A proposed community gym, supported by CRT’s Health Coach to improve long-term health outcomes.
• Horden Greener Together, a major partnership with schools, the Salvation Army, Home Group and others to create local green spaces and connect residents to the natural environment. This has evolved into a larger, coastal legacy project – Tina Haven – involving the National Trust, Wildlife Trust and recovery support organisations.

This is the CRT in action: embedded, collaborative, and community-first. Whether it’s through direct delivery, partnership working, or investment in local capacity, CRT’s approach is about building something that lasts.

You can find out more about CRT's place-based approach here.