Moving On Durham, a longstanding charity supporting vulnerable young people in the North East, has received a vital funding boost to create a therapeutic outdoor space at its new supported accommodation facility in Croxdale. The £2,000 grant from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund will transform three overgrown allotments into a flourishing garden, offering residents a hands-on way to build life skills and improve their well-being.
A Fresh Start for Young People
The charity, which has been helping young people facing homelessness for over three decades, is converting a former social club in Croxdale into its first dedicated supported accommodation for 16-to-18-year-olds. During renovation, staff discovered the hidden allotments, sparking the idea to create a green haven for future residents.
The grant will fund raised beds, gardening equipment, and a tailored outdoor activities programme. Residents will work together to tend the garden and grow fresh crops, gaining practical skills, boosting self-confidence, and forming strong social bonds during a crucial transition to independent living.
Community and Well-being
The garden will also serve as a relaxing space for residents and a venue for small community events later this year, bringing neighbours and young people together to share in the harvest. This initiative is part of Moving On Durham’s broader mission to provide a safe, supportive environment with 24/7 care.
Peter Richards, chief executive of Moving On Durham, said: “Starting to live independently is a tough enough challenge for anyone, but when you lack the family support network that most of us take for granted, which many of our young people do, it can be so much harder. We aim to give these young people the chance to find their feet with whatever support they require, to help them if they encounter problems and to equip them with the skills and knowledge they will need to thrive as they move into adulthood.”
Expanding Services
Founded in the late 1980s as a partnership between Durham Churches Group and Durham City Youth Project, Moving On Durham has grown significantly. It now manages around 170 properties across the county, providing supported accommodation for over 200 young people annually. The new Croxdale facility will accommodate up to eight residents at a time, with qualified staff available around the clock.
Richards added: “Our new Croxdale facility will give some of our youngest service users a solid base on which they can build their lives, with expert staff on hand at all times to help them do so. The garden will be a really important part of the project, whether for making new friendships while working alongside their peers or simply as a relaxing space in which they can spend some time whenever they want to. The support that Banks is providing has made this project possible and we’re looking forward to getting outside later in the year.”
Banks Group’s Support
The Banks Group, a regional employer, is also behind a new residential development in Tudhoe, which will see around 350 new homes built on a 15-hectare site off York Hill Road, including a 15 per cent allocation of affordable housing. The community funds are independently managed by Point North, formerly the County Durham Community Foundation.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: “Moving On Durham’s comprehensive approach to dealing with local homelessness issues makes both a short and long-term difference to the quality of life that their young tenants can enjoy. Everyone knows the positive impact that spending time outdoors can have on their sense of well-being and we hope the new Croxdale residents will enjoy working on their new garden.”
How to Apply for Funding
Community groups near Banks Group projects interested in applying for funding from the Banks Community Fund can contact the company via its website enquiry form to check eligibility. This grant is a prime example of how corporate support can make a tangible difference in local communities.
