Handcrafted, North East Charity of the Year 2026, is inviting members of the public to celebrate the reopening of its newly renovated Durham community hub on Wednesday 11 November, from 1pm to 3pm.
The North East charity, which provides housing, support, training and employment opportunities for some of society's most marginalised people, has transformed its building in Meadowfield, Durham, following a £500,000 social investment package involving Key Fund, Big Issue Invest and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
The renovation has allowed Handcrafted to expand its services, creating new opportunities for the people it supports, who it calls its trainees, to develop practical skills, gain qualifications and build confidence.
With an expanded carpentry workshop, the charity delivers regular woodworking sessions alongside accredited training courses. It has also launched a new table-making enterprise, New Story Tables, which is already fulfilling commissions for businesses across the UK, providing opportunities for trainees to develop skills through real commercial work.
The transformation marks another significant chapter in Handcrafted's journey. What began in 2012 as a group of friends reaching out to people sleeping rough on the streets of Durham has since grown into a charity operating five community hubs and over 100 homes across the North East. Recognising the potential, talents and skills of the people they were meeting, the founders sought to create opportunities that would empower individuals to turn their own lives around.
Today, Handcrafted's renovated Durham hub includes a large carpentry workshop, training kitchen, community room, classroom and dedicated barbering facilities.
The kitchen is already being used for regular cooking sessions, with trainees making everything from loaded nachos and pies to cookies and puff pastry pinwheels. Meanwhile, the new barbering facilities are providing opportunities for trainees to learn the fundamentals of cutting hair and develop practical vocational skills.
The celebration also marks the first anniversary of Handcrafted's Hummingbird Homes pilot project, which supports 16 and 17-year-olds in care who are at acute risk of homelessness.
Through the project, five young people each live in their own home on the same street, with a sixth house occupied by support workers. This innovative approach provides 'live-near' rather than 'live-in' support, encouraging age-appropriate independence while ensuring help is always close by, much like a hummingbird hovering nearby. The model aims to reduce the risk of homelessness faced by young people leaving care, providing them with the stability, support and independence they need to thrive.
The charity is now inviting the local community to join its trainees, staff, friends and partners to celebrate these milestones and see the newly renovated facilities for themselves.
Taking place on Wednesday 11 November, from 1pm to 3pm, the Renovation Celebration will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the hub, meet the people involved and try their hand at activities ranging from pen-making to tote-bag printing.
The event is open to all, and Handcrafted hopes to welcome both familiar faces and those discovering the charity for the first time.
