Exploring how Stanhope’s shared spaces enrich our lives and wellbeing
Weardale Wordfest and Weardale Together CIC are excited to be working in partnership on a new research project as part of the Rural County Durham Research Network, launched last month by Durham Community Action.
The network aims to put the power of research into local hands, by training and mentoring community researchers to explore what really matters to people in the places they live.
The project, Our Spaces, Our Community, will focus on the role of Stanhope’s community spaces; how they bring people together, support wellbeing and happiness, foster connection, and help us tackle challenges such as loneliness and isolation.
Through conversations with local residents, we’ll be exploring people’s relationships with our shared spaces; what they mean to them, how they’re used, what barriers exist to participation, and what our community hopes these spaces can become in the future.
We’ll also be speaking with community leaders, volunteers, committees, and organisers to understand the challenges they face in managing these spaces, and to hear their visions for the future of their buildings and facilities.
The research will take several forms; including a community survey, creative workshops, one-to-one interviews, a youth zine-making project, and a Community Gathering planned for the spring. This event will bring people together over a meal to exchange ideas and imagine the future of our community spaces.
Ultimately, we hope the research will provide compelling evidence of the value of our shared spaces — celebrating the vibrant activity already happening in Stanhope and making a strong case for future investment.
We believe that local people are the true experts in understanding our community’s needs. By undertaking this research, we aim to amplify the voices of those who live, work, socialise, and raise families here; so they can be heard by funders, local authority, and other key decision-makers.
More information about the project and how to get involved will be published on our social media accounts and website, but in the meantime, you can complete our community survey here.
About Weardale Wordfest
Weardale WordFest was established in 2018 in association with NorthPens Writers.
Our aim is to give regional writers a voice and to provide a forum to celebrate the great wealth of local talent. While our focus is community involvement and participation we are always absolutely delighted to welcome visitors to our special corner of the world.
We strive to improve our programme year on year, to be accessible and to reach out to isolated rural areas and groups in our community.
About Weardale Together
Weardale Together CIC is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2021 to help reduce social isolation and loneliness in Weardale.
Our vision is of a thriving, connected Weardale — a place where everyone can take part fully in community life and experience the wellbeing benefits of creativity, connection, and opportunity.
Our priorities are to:
• Support wellbeing through creative and cultural opportunities
• Reduce isolation and build stronger connections
• Sustain and enhance our shared community spaces
• Strengthen community capital and local infrastructure
• Contribute to a sustainable and thriving future for Weardale
• Create opportunities for skills development, employment, and volunteering
To achieve these aims, we deliver a range of projects and partnerships. Our flagship initiative, Root & Branch Community Café, offers a warm welcome, a nutritious menu, and our free craft programme designed to support wellbeing through creativity. We also run a vibrant youth programme, curate high-quality cultural events, and collaborate with partners across Weardale to support our community spaces and the people who use them.
About the Rural County Durham Research Network
The Rural Durham Community Research Network brings together local communities, VCSE organisations and community groups across Teesdale, Weardale and Derwent Valley who have an interest in leading their own community research.
The network will run for five years and aims to build research capacity and capability in rural communities to investigate local issues, be fully involved in setting research agendas, contributing their experiences, collecting relevant information, and influencing positive changes in policy and practice.
The network will explore barriers to accessing health and social care, a lack of opportunities for young people and access to critical public services.
The network is supported by Durham Community Action, Rural Design Centre, Durham University, Durham County Council, Point North, Insights North East and Newcastle University.
