Horden Youth & Community Centre

Horden used to be a mining village, and back in the Sixties, it was the pit that defined what our community was. Young people were a vital part of that group, and the Centre you see today grew out of the Youth Club that started in another location in 1966.  When the Infant School (dating back to 1906) closed its doors to little ones, Durham County Council offered the facility to the Youth Club. After repair and refurbishment, Horden Youth & Community Centre was born. HYCC is both a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.

Between 2014 and 2016, following Community Asset Transfer from the local council, the Centre was reroofed and partially rendered in order to become more environmentally friendly. We also had the ancient radiators and gas boilers removed, and moved to thermostatically-controlled electric heating, as well as redecorating and refurbishing the entire rear part of the building. This enabled us to offer better facilities for the local community.

Despite any cosmetic or structural improvements, what we are at our core doesn’t change. We are here to offer pursuits and experiences to the local community which encourage choice and personal development. By keeping costs down and creating a warm and friendly environment, as well as operating an ‘open door’ policy for anyone who requires help, advice, signposting or support — and often just someone to listen — we strive, every day, to provide a hub for people to become involved with new people and the wider community around them.

HYCC’s primary areas of provision are in: employment and education, with accredited courses and a regular Job Club; young people, particularly with a resident dance school and space for young people with learning difficulties; welfare and health, with many support and advice groups ranging from men’s mental health to general fitness; and leisure and socialisation, with too many craft, social, and community groups to mention! In particular, the Community Café is extremely popular and part of our Warm Spaces initiative.

In 2022, we directly helped and supported almost 2000 beneficiaries and had a footfall of 5000 plus. With many more activities in the pipeline, we expect 2023 to be even busier.