About Us
At Durham Area Youth, young people are at the heart of everything we do. We work with 6–18 year olds across Sherburn Hill, Sherburn Village, West Rainton, Pittington, Shadforth and Bournmoor, creating safe, welcoming spaces where they can be heard, build positive relationships and shape the activities and support they want to see.
More than 300 young people connect with us each week through our evening youth sessions, school drop-ins, outreach in the community, wellbeing programmes, and our growing young volunteers programme. During the school holidays, we deliver high-quality programmes that not only tackle food poverty but also give young people experiences, new skills and memories they might not otherwise have. Everything we offer is designed to help young people grow in confidence, develop resilience, recognise their strengths and play an active role in their communities as they move towards adulthood.
Our video shows who we are from the voice of our young people.
Young people at the heart
Everything we do starts with listening. Young people help design our sessions, influence activities and tell us what support matters to them. This means our provision stays relevant, engaging and responsive to the real challenges and opportunities in their lives.
Through their involvement, young people:
- build confidence and resilience
- develop friendships and trusted
- relationships with adults and peers
- discover their strengths and new skills
- gain a sense of purpose, achievement and belonging
- feel more connected to their communities
What we offer
Our wide range of provision ensures there are different ways for young people to engage, progress and be supported. This includes:
- Open access evening youth sessions in local communities.
- Targeted support for those who find school or other environments challenging
- Wellbeing activities that strengthen physical and emotional resilience
- Cooking and life skills that strengthen independence and builds confidence
- Community outreach projects
- A vibrant young volunteers programme that develops leadership and life skills
- High-quality holiday programmes that provide meals, new experiences and opportunities
Inclusive and community-focused
We are proud to be a fully inclusive organisation. We work with young people from all backgrounds and abilities and do everything we can to remove barriers to participation so that everyone feels safe, welcomed and valued.
Our work is rooted in the communities we serve. By working in partnership with schools, local organisations, families and carers, we are able to provide stronger support networks and create more opportunities for young people to thrive.
Looking ahead
As we continue to grow, we are committed to:
- strengthening our local and countywide partnerships, specifically in our involvement with Durham Youth Print
- creating more opportunities for young people at key transition points in their lives
- developing a skilled and passionate workforce
- ensuring long-term sustainability so our communities can rely on us for years to come
Most importantly, we will continue to be a place where young people’s voices lead the way — a place where they are supported to grow, succeed and make a positive difference.
Information
Who can attend?
Our sessions are open to young people aged 6–18 who live in or attend school in the communities we serve, including Sherburn Hill, Sherburn Village, West Rainton, Pittington, Shadforth and Bournmoor. Most of our provision is open access, which means young people can come along, get involved and help shape what we do.
What age do young people need to be?
We welcome young people who are in Year 2 at Primary School which are age 6/7. At the age of 11 and in year 6 they start the transition into our senior group.
When and where do sessions take place?
We run evening youth sessions across our community venues, along with school-based support, outreach projects and holiday programmes throughout the year.
Up-to-date session times, locations and any changes are shared through our social media channels and directly with families and young people.
How much does it cost?
We aim to keep our sessions affordable and accessible to everyone. Some activities may have a small charge to cover resources or trips, and any costs will always be shared in advance. If cost is ever a barrier, please speak to a member of the team — support is often available.
Our weekly sessions cost £1, with the money being reinvested back into the village for new resources and activities for young people.
Inclusion and additional needs
We are an inclusive organisation and welcome young people of all abilities, including those with additional needs such as autism and ADHD. We will always do what we can to adapt activities and remove barriers so everyone can take part safely and confidently.
While we are unable to provide one-to-one support, we work closely with parents, carers and partner professionals to create individual support plans and make reasonable adjustments wherever possible.
Safeguarding and wellbeing
The safety and wellbeing of young people is our highest priority. All staff and volunteers are appropriately trained and DBS checked, and our sessions provide a safe, supportive environment where young people can build trusted relationships, access guidance and feel heard.
Food and holiday provision
During school holidays we deliver funded programmes in partnership with organisations such as Fun and Food. These sessions provide healthy meals alongside enriching activities and experiences, helping to tackle food poverty and social isolation.
Volunteering and leadership opportunities
We offer a growing young volunteers programme where young people can:
- develop confidence and leadership skills
- gain experience for college, university or employment
- have a real influence on our projects and community
Working with us
We work in partnership with schools, local organisations and support services to provide the best possible opportunities for young people. If you would like to refer a young person, collaborate on a project or find out more about our work, please get in touch.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about sessions, accessibility, costs or the support we offer, our team is always happy to help.
📩 Contact us: info@durhamareayouth.org.uk
📱 Follow us on social media for the latest updates Facebook@DurhamAreaYouth
Click on the link below to read our annual report