Community Projects

Our charitable projects aim to enrich and improve the lives of local people, helping them to feel part of our caring Hexham community

Community

Our current Community Projects include:

Warm Welcome

Winter 2024

The Warm Welcome is an extension of the Centre's charitable activity from October to March. With 7 activities across 6 days providing a warm place, a warm meal and a warm welcome to the most vulnerable in our community.

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Any donation is gratefully received via our Donorbox Warm Welcome campaign:

  • £3 will provide a child with a meal and meaningful activity at our After School Stay and Plays.
  • £7 will cover the cost of a meal for an older person at our daytime sessions.
  • £15 will provide Christmas Dinner for someone who would otherwise be alone.
  • £60 will pay for a Playworker for the day during the school holidays.
  • £100 will pay for Sunday Lunch for up to 15 people living in social isolation.  

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Celebrating Community: 125 Years at the heart of the community

Autumn/Winter 2024

On 22nd September 1899 the building today known as Hexham Community Centre was commissioned as the Abbey Institute. The Institute was built to create a central and accessible place for groups to come together.

To celebrate 125 years of the Community Centre’s place at the heart of Hexham’s community we will be working with various groups and individuals to consider what community means. 

 

 

Tuesday Tea, Tuesdays 3.45 - 5pm (term time)

Join us at the Tuesday Tea to share memories and stories about the places, people and events that bring Hexham together, and celebrate all the communities within the town.

LEGO Club, Thursday 3.30 - 5pm (term time)

LEGO Club will be making a LEGO version of the Community Centre during the coming months. Join us each week to add a little more to this big build challenge!

My Community Art Submission (TBC)

Within the wider community many communities exist. Are you East End? West End? In the middle up a hill? Do you belong to a group or team? Are you brought together by a nationality, belief system or language? Are you a member of our fabulous LGBTQ+ community? We want to celebrate all the communities within Hexham by displaying artworks across the building. If you or a group you belong to wish to develop a piece to be displayed please contact Jill on manager@hexhamcommunitycentre.org    

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Tuesday Tea Intergenerational Group

Every Tuesday 3.30pm - 5.00pm

Run in conjunction with the Hexham Youth Initiative, our Tuesday Tea Intergenerational Group provides a fabulous opportunity for younger and older people to socialise regularly. Members spend their time together chatting, sharing skills, and playing games. One thing is for sure, it’s always lively, full of energy, cake and smiles!

As part of our 125th birthday celebrations and our Celebrating Community project each Tuesday Tea session will have a conversation starter to help people share stories and memories about the people, places and events that bring Hexham's communities together.

 

“Something magical happens in that room each week - the energy is infectious. I genuinely look forward to it all week!”

Outcome

  • Over the years, it’s been amazing to see the relationships that have developed as a result of the project.
  • The project has definitely helped overcome age-related stereotypes in our community and challenge perceptions from both age-groups.
  • Our members look forward to the group each week, and we’ve been told on many occasion that it’s had a positive impact on older members’ mental well-being.

Find out more

For more information about the Tuesday Tea Intergenerational Group please get in touch.

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Luncheon Club

Every Wednesday 11.30am - 2.00pm

Running at the Community Centre for over 20 years our Wednesday Luncheon Club is more popular than ever! Supporting our older community, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends or meet new people, and socialise over a delicious, hot two-course meal. There’s never a dull moment, in fact, it’s known locally for its lively, uplifting atmosphere. Everyone is welcome; some members bring their knitting, others play cards, but most just spend time together chatting and laughing.

“The food is great, but best of all are the people! It’s so lovely to know that every week I can catch up with friends and have a good laugh over lunch.”

Our Aim

Through the Luncheon Club we hope to actively relieve isolation and loneliness in and around Hexham. Ultimately, we want everyone in our area to feel part of a close knit community that they can always rely on for support and friendship.

Outcomes

  • Over the years it’s been an honour to witness the friendships that have formed through this group.
  • The transport to and from the Club has made a huge difference in helping many of our older community, who don’t have easy access, to meet and socialise with ease.
  • We’re told regularly that the Luncheon Club is enjoyed greatly by our members and is often ‘the highlight of their week’.

Find out more

For more information about the Luncheon Club please get in touch.

 

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Parent and Toddler Group

Every Thursday, 9.15 am - 11.15 am

We run a warm and welcoming, stay-and-play Parent and Toddler Group for little ones and their carers. It’s an ideal place for children to mix with others and enjoy new experiences with a familiar adult close to hand.

Each week our main hall is transformed into a buzzing, lively space with plenty to enjoy, including a dedicated baby area, a dressing up box, ride-on toys, a home corner, and a slide or trampoline.

To keep their energy levels up, we provide a healthy snack at half time, while parents and carers can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. We also organise a fun craft activity each week, and the session ends with music time and singing.

“Parent and Toddler Group was essential for us! It really helped my little one become more confident around other children. For me as a new parent, I sometimes felt a bit isolated at first, but through Toddler Group I quickly made friends with other parents in the same position.”

Our Aim

Research shows that regularly attending Parent and Toddler Groups can benefit both child and carer. Encouraging children to mix with others from an early age can support social development and ease the transition to school. Whilst for parents, Parent and Toddler Groups can provide essential support, understanding and the opportunity to socialise with other parents.

We understand that being at home with a baby or toddler isn’t always fun and games. Of course, there are lots of moments that make us smile or melt our hearts, but it can also be pretty isolating at times. Our aim was to create a warm and fun Parent and Toddler Group that supports both child and adult; somewhere that everyone can feel welcome, make new friends and feel part of a supportive community.

Find out more

For more information about the Parent and Toddler Group please get in touch.

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Carpet Bowls

Every Friday, 1pm until 3pm

Our friendly Carpet Bowls group is perfect for those looking to take up a new hobby and keep active. We have a group of experienced bowlers happy to show you the basics and share their top tips in a supportive, warm and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Whether you want to bowl or spectate, everyone of all ages and abilities is welcomed to Carpet Bowls with soup and a roll and lively conversation.

Find our more via the website.

There is no need to book, just join us from 1pm each Friday.

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Sunday Lunch Club

Every Sunday, 11am - 1pm

A friendly and social lunch for everyone. 

Weekends can be a tough time for those living in poverty or isolation so the new Sunday Lunch Club has been introduced to bring people of all ages together, including families in a warm space for a warm meal to chat and pass the time with games and crafts.

Our Aim

When talking to those living in isolation who already attended sessions at the Centre it was clear that weekends were often the most difficult time for those living alone. Many services do not run over the weekend, and Sundays in particular are seen as a time to be with family, doubling down on the isolation already felt by many in our community.

Outcomes

  • In just a few months over the winter the Sunday Social has grown to around 10-12 diners each month.
  • The small group size and excellent staff and volunteers allows for lively conversation and a real sense of togetherness. 

Find out more

For more information about the Sunday Social and to book your place please get in touch.

 

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Be part of something special

Support us

There are many ways that you can support Hexham Community Centre including volunteering, fundraising or making a kind donation. Any gift, no matter what size, can make a huge difference.

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Opening times

Opening times

  • Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm
  • Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm
  • Sunday Closed

Evenings and Sundays are open by appointment.

Opening times are subject to change.

Christmas and bank holiday opening times may vary. 

How to find us

Hexham Community Centre,
Hexham & Tynedale Community Trust, Gilesgate, Hexham, NE46 3NP