(Image: Supplied)
A County Durham mental health charity is expanding the practical support it offers to people after securing a second four-figure grant from a regional employer to help fund its therapeutic workshops.
St Margaret’s Centre, based on Margery Lane in Durham, provides a safe and supportive environment where people can build confidence, motivation, and self-esteem through hands-on activities and learning.
The latest grant from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund will support the centre’s woodworking and joinery workshops, covering the cost of new tools, materials, and supplies.
Lisa Harrison, manager at St Margaret’s Centre, said: "The services we provide are tailored to the needs of each individual, in terms of how long they access them, the sorts of things they do and the support they need to make the most of what we offer.
"Some of our joinery workshop participants have never done this sort of thing before, while others bring a lot of skills with them and particularly value the sort of camaraderie that they’d previously had with colleagues in the workplace.
"We see the difference these sessions make to the well-being and confidence of our service users, especially when participants go on to share their skills and learning as volunteers.
"Demand for our support remains high, and it’s important that we maintain the quality of the services we provide to ensure they have the maximum possible positive impact.
"Banks’ continuing support in helping us cover our operating costs and making sure we have all the supplies we need to keep delivering these services plays an important role in achieving that objective."
The centre offers a wide range of therapeutic activities, from woodworking to arts and crafts and gardening.
It also runs a community café that is open to the public and provides valuable hospitality training in a real-world setting.
Attendees do not need a formal mental health diagnosis to attend, which allows the centre to act as a point of early intervention and help prevent issues from escalating.
A dedicated support worker is available to assist with related challenges such as housing, benefits, debt, relationships, and healthy living.
All staff are trained to offer emotional support as needed.
The woodworking workshops are open to people of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned craftsmen.
Participants receive tuition and guidance tailored to their needs and can attend for as long as they wish.
Items made in the sessions, including bird tables, placemats, and Christmas decorations, are sold to raise funds for the charity.
The group also undertakes furniture restoration and renovation projects.
St Margaret’s Centre has been operating since 1991 and supported more than 410 people in the past year, including 216 new referrals.
Nearly 100 volunteers assist the core team, and some former attendees have gone on to lead peer-led craft sessions.
This is the second time the Banks Group has supported the centre.
A previous £2,000 grant in 2024 helped fund materials and tuition for arts and crafts sessions, including painting, calligraphy, clay modelling, and leather jewellery making.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: "The St Margaret’s team helps hundreds of local people when they need that help the most and in ways that enable their service users to become happier, healthier and more confident.
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"We’re very pleased to be working with another amazing community organisation in our home city and to be helping St Margaret’s keep up with the demand for their support."
The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North, formerly known as the County Durham Community Foundation.
For more information about St Margaret’s Centre and its services, visit www.stmargaretscentre.co.uk or follow @smcdurham on Facebook and Instagram.