Number 66 Drop In Centre at Cornforth Partnership

Young people who are part of a growing community-based project in a County Durham village are enjoying evenings in the open air thanks to funding fromThe Banks Group.

The Number 66 Youth Drop-In Centre in West Cornforth has been given £8,900 from the Banks Community Fund to help turn an enclosed area of derelict land behind the Centre into an outdoor space which can be used for barbecues, training initiatives and other events.

Run by registered charity The Cornforth Partnership, the Drop-In Centre works with young people aged between 11 and 22. The drop-in is based on the village’s High Street to help address a lack of local youth facilities, and has already made a major difference to its users, who have taken to it very enthusiastically.

The Centre’s management committee, which includes a number of young people amongst its members, has now extended the facilities it offers by utilising the outdoor space, which was previously in a state of disrepair and not available for any community use. The £8,900 grant has been used to level and tarmac the ground, to improve and whitewash the surrounding wall and to install new heaters, lighting, tables and seating. A barbecue and storage area have also been added, and a community artist has undertaken a graffiti artwork project with the Centre’s users to decorate the new area in a creative and exciting way.

Project co-ordinator Karen Lynn commented: “The Centre is very much focussed on creating the sort of facilities and events that local young people want, and gives them a great deal of responsibility for shaping, managing and delivering them. Opening up this new space adds an extra dimension to what we can offer through the Centre and the grant will make a big difference to a lot of people. We’re very grateful for the Banks Group’s support.”


Banks Group environment and community director Mark Dowdall adds: "The problems for young people which can often arise from isolation and a lack of facilities are well documented, but both the Cornforth Partnership and the Drop-In Centre are making significant inroads in addressing them.”

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