Members
Our members are the heart and soul of our organisation. Everyone who lives in Chopwell can be a member. Members choose who the trustees or CRG are, and who the officers are. Members also have the opportunity to vote on all CRG’s key decisions. We currently have over 200 members.
Membership is free – but if you would like to make a contribution as a member we would be delighted.
Being a member of CRG is not necessary to take part in our activities, or to have a say or suggest ideas. CRG’s activities and plans are open for everyone who lives locally to get involved in.
We would love for many more people to become members and to get more involved in what we do in Chopwell.
Community Involvement and Consultation
We hold open public meetings three times a year which everyone is welcome to attend. Everyone on our mailing list gets notified by email when our public meetings are happening. You can also follow us on Facebook to find out when and where public meetings are held. We also use our Facebook group to regularly debate ideas and seek views of the community. Please let us know if there is an important matter or an idea you would like to be discussed at our next public meeting.
CRG Project Timelines:
Since starting in April 2017 we have carried out the following significant projects…
2017 to 2020 (all activities were carried out by volunteers):
- We carried out significant consultation across Chopwell and developed longer term plans for change and regeneration.
- We set up Chopwell Community Orchard in Chopwell Park.
- We put up Christmas lights and high-level mini-trees along our main street.
- We carried out a Brighten Up Chopwell month to brighten up our village by clearing rubbish, tidying up, fixing, painting and planting flowers and cherry trees.
- We launched this website.
- We launched our quarterly newsletter hand-delivered by volunteers to every household and business in Chopwell
- We ran a training programme for two local unemployed people to learn to repair bikes.
- We installed 3 benches in conjunction with the Men’s Shed.
- With land provided by The Chopwell Official’s Club we created the Chopwell Community Allotment.
- We installed signs in Chopwell Wood directing visitors to our village.
- We carried out significant consultation across Chopwell and developed longer term plans for change and regeneration.
2021 to date…
31st March 2021
Chopwell Regeneration Group signs lease agreement
The lease was signed for The Bank building with Gateshead Council on 31st March 2021
November 2021 - February 2022
Expanded
CRG Staff recruited
November 2021 saw the recruitment of the first CRG staff members
3rd March 2022
The Bank's Official Opening
Following a huge amount of fundraising to renovate the building, The Bank opened its doors to the community on 3rd March 2022
March 2022
Learning Programme launch
2022 saw the launch of CRG’s learning programme to include opportunities for hospitality & catering volunteering, training and work experience in the cafe at The Bank.
Blaydon job centre and other referral partners began to refer clients who were unemployed to work in the cafe at The Bank to gain valuable work experience
April 2022
Code & Create STEM Club begins
We delivered our first after school coding club for primary aged children which was the first of our ‘Code & Create’ regular sessions as part of a 2 year programme engaging local children in STEM skills and raising confidence and aspirations to improve STEM employment prospects for Chopwell children and young people
Spring 2022
Memory Cafe at The Bank
A monthly Memory Cafe for people living with dementia and their friends and family was launched with support from a local GP practice and Search Newcastle. We were able to provide a variety of activities with support from Gateshead Libraries, Playlist For Life, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Gateshead Carers
August 2022
Social events for the community
A weekly evening craft group was set up with a local resident as a response to the need for providing activities in the evenings for those who work during the day and are at risk of loneliness. We also began a regular series of evening events in the cafe such as themed restaurant nights and the popular ‘Jukebox Bingo’ to provide social opportunities for people in the village
Autumn 2022
Craft Courses begin
Gateshead Learning Skills partnered with CRG to deliver weekly creative art and craft courses including textiles and fused glass at The Bank, supporting local residents to learn new skills and giving opportunities to reduce social isolation and improve mental health
November 2022
Young volunteer scoops national award
Our young volunteer Emily was nominated in a national award ceremony and won Plunkett Foundation Young Person of the Year national award at a ceremony in London
Christmas 2022
Christmas Day Lunch project begins
Christmas 2022 was our first Christmas Day at The Bank when staff and volunteers served Christmas lunch and enjoyed the festivities with other people from the village who would otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone. The day was a memorable occasion which has been repeated each year thereafter
2023
Wellbeing Activities
We were able to deliver a range of activities designed to support local residents with mental health in 2023, including a first aid and loneliness course, menopause cafe, cookery classes and social activities
February 2023
Men's Pie Club launch
We launched Men’s Pie Club in partnership with Food Nation, to provide weekly sessions for men to come together, make pies and talk about mental health
Summer 2023
Chopwell Holiday Club
Following a number of one off holiday activities for children we ran our first holiday club for children in summer 2023, bringing in a range of practitioners to run activities for children to learn new skills and have fun making new friends - and critically have access to a healthy lunch. This included archery and bushcraft in Chopwell Woods, music workshops, first aid skills, digital making, cookery and pottery
June 2023
Apprenticeships!
Our first Apprentice Chef was recruited, shortly followed by a Front of House Apprentice and a Business Admin Apprentice later in the year. Our apprenticeship programme was designed to help people find a career and support people back into work
September 2023
AQA Registration
CRG registered with exam board AQA as a centre to deliver AQA awards as part of their Unit Award Scheme. This enabled us to award learners engaged in our various programmes to achieve accredited certificates to recognise skills in Hospitality & Catering, Customer Service and STEM skills
Autumn 2023
Numeracy workshops
We were able to deliver a number of workshops to support local residents to improve their numeracy skills and gain confidence with maths. 22 people attended the 5 courses delivered by Gateshead Learning Skills.
December 2023
Our next major project begins
In 2023 we carried out consultation in the village around the development of a repair shop which 92% of the community voted in favour of. Local residents suggested names for the new project and The Regeneration Shop was voted as the winner. A suitable building was identified and CRG signed the lease for The Old Stables on Derwent Street in December 2023.
2023/2024
CRG Staff Team expansion
We expanded our staff team to meet the needs of our growing organisation. After trialling having a part-time Executive Director in the team, we restructured the team and recruited a Senior Finance and Commercial Manager.
March 30
Sub Label
CRG X Northumbria University partnership
CRG developed a partnership with Northumbria University in 2024 to support the development of The Regeneration Shop. This included support with the design for the fit out of the shop and holding a fashion show of pre-loved clothing styled and modelled by fashion students and Chopwell young people at Chopwell Community centre to launch The Regeneration Shop project and encourage people in the community to recycle, reuse and repair goods
30th March 2024
The Regeneration Shop opening
A Shop Manager from Chopwell was recruited and The Regeneration Shop officially opened its doors in late March. It quickly began to deliver impacts through the volunteer-led repairs service, skills development for volunteers and participants of all ages engaging in STEM learning activities. Customers were provided with the opportunity to pay for affordable repairs and low cost second hand items preventing unnecessary purchase of brand new goods and more waste being sent to landfill
Autumn 2024
Alternative Education Provision
CRG registered as an Alternative Education Provider with Gateshead Council and ran a successful pilot in liaison with Gateshead SEND team to provide Alternative Education provision for children and young people from Chopwell and surrounding areas. This was developed in response to a need in the village to support children not accessing education, highlighted by former Head at Chopwell Primary
September 2024
North East Charity Awards - Wins
Our Front of House Apprentice, Poppy won ‘Rising Star’ award at The North East Charity Awards in September 2024 and CRG won ‘Uniquely North East’ award for our work in the local community
December 2024
Local Art & Craft sales at The Bank
CRG are now working with local artisan food makers, crafters and artists to display and sell their work and products here in the café. From candles to canvases, jam to jewellery, glasswork to knitting, we’re proud to showcase the talented folk of Chopwell
December 2024
Roof & Solar Panel renovation work at The Bank
Following successful fundraising, we were able to progress with the first phase of our energy efficiency renovation works by renovating the roof, installing new guttering & fitting solar panels at The Bank
Major Projects:
Who is CRG?
Legal Structure
Read all about our Charity Legal Structure and Board of Trustees here:
Our Volunteers
We are extremely proud of the success and impact of our volunteer programme. Our recent volunteer numbers (excluding trustees) are 2022: 185; 2023: 147 and 2024: 203 volunteers. This is over 5% of the community in Chopwell. Our volunteering programme won the national 2023 Rural Business Community Award: Rural Vision Volunteering.
79 of these volunteers have been in the café and kitchen at The Bank. 4 of those volunteers who were long term unemployed, or had never worked before, have now gone on to get permanent employment following their experience with us.
Are you interested in finding out more about becoming a CRG volunteer?
Community Support
Support for Chopwell Regeneration Group is now the strongest it’s ever been with over 700 people a week using our buildings, services and activities. In 2022 local people donated £8,845 to CRG, in 2023 it was £60,072 which included a significant legacy from local resident Eunice House, and in 2024 donations were £5,024. Given we are one of the most deprived communities in England we have been staggered by how generous people are, everyone really cares about each other and want to do what they can.
Support from Funders
We are extremely grateful to all our funders and organisations who provide support in kind, listed here:
Initial Support:
- Co-op Community Fund
- Tesco Bags of Help
- Greggs Foundation
- The Ballinger Charitable Trust
- People’s Postcode Lottery
- Chopwell Official’s Club
- Gateshead Council
The Bank building refurbishment:
- North East Local Enterprise Partnership
- Community Foundation (Tyne and Wear)
- The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities)
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
- The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust
- The William Leech Charity
- Co-op Local Community Fund
- The Joicey Trust
- The Gateshead Community Infrastructure Levy Fund
- The Rothley Trust
- EDF Energy Renewables – Boundary Lane Wind Farm Community Benefits fund
- Sir James Knott Trust
- LGA Foundation
- Gleeson Homes
The Bank – Fixtures, Fittings & Decoration:
- Co-op Community Fund
- Tesco Community Fund
- The Hilden Charitable Fund
- The Ballinger Charitable Trust
- The Barbour Foundation
- The Carolyn & Tony Brookes Fund (Community Foundation)
Core funding and running costs:
- The National Lottery Community Fund – RC North East and Cumbria Region
- Virgin Money Foundation
- The Tudor Trust
- Henry Smith Foundation
- Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
- The Fore
- Muckle LLP
- People’s Postcode Lottery
- The National Lottery Awards for All Fund
Power to Change (Powering up Fund) - Virgin media O2 Together Fund
- Chopwell Masons – Derwent Lodge
- Hospital of God
- Bernicia Foundation
- The Royal Countryside Fund
- Samares Jersey Foundation (Sir James Knott)
- TKMaxx
- Egger UK
Project Funding:
- The Heritage Lottery
- Community Led Homes
- Bluestone Consortium
- The Platten Family Fund (via Community Foundation)
- National Gardens Scheme
- The NHS
- Linden Family Fund via Community Foundation
- Reed Family Fund via Community Foundation
- Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust
- Warburtons Foundation
- North East Business in the Community –
- Innovate for Good
- Connected Voice
- British Engines Community Fund
The Regeneration Shop funding:
- The Lennox Hannay Charitable Foundation
- The Platten Family Fund (via Community Foundation)
- The Barbour Foundation
- UK SPF – Community Chest Fund (via Community Foundation)
The Bank – Roof replacement, solar panels and double-glazing:
VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme (via Groundworks)
The Guy Readman Endowment Fund (via Community Foundation)
EDF Energy Renewables: Boundary Lane Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund (via Point North)
The Catherine Cookson Foundation
The Joicey Trust
Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
Community Fundraising:
- Sale of handmade arts, crafts and local produce
- Restaurant nights
Makers Markets - Chopwell Big Weekend
- Chopwell Mugs
- Christmas cards
- Little Moscow to Moscow virtual sponsored walk
- Around the World in 80 Days virtual sponsored walk
Recognition:
We are extremely proud of the external recognition we have received at both regional and national levels:
- 2021 Bright Ideas in Health Awards: Winner for our idea for The Bank in the “Making Healthier Happier Places and Spaces: Innovation in the Built Environment” category
- 2022: National Rural Community Business Awards: Award for “Rural Vision Volunteering”
- 2022: National Rural Community Business Awards: Our volunteer Emily Thompson was the Winner of the: “Young Person Award”
- 2022: North East Charity Awards: Highly commended in the “Uniquely North East Charity” category
- 2022: North East Charity Awards: Our Chair, Jodie Barwick-Bell was highly commended in the “Charity Champion of the Year” category
- 2022: Winner- Rethinking Poverty’s ‘The Janette Kirton-Darling Memorial Prize’. Awarded: “For outstanding leadership, creativity and impact in developing effective means to #ShiftThePower to people whose voices are rarely heard in society”
- 2022: Angel Award presented to The Bank by Liz Twist MP
- 2023: Angel Award presented to our Trustee and Secretary, Jacky Quincey by Liz Twist MP
- 2023: Angel Award presented to our volunteers at The Bank by Liz Twist MP
- 2024: North East Charity Awards – Winner: Uniquely North East Charity
- 2024: North East Charity Awards – Highly Commended in the ‘North East Charity of the Year’ category
- 2024: North East Charity Awards: Poppy Brown was the Winner of the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award. Poppy was our outstanding 18 year old Front of House Apprentice at The Bank
- 2024: National Rural Community Business: Winner of the ‘Going Green’ award for The Regeneration Shop which we opened in March 2024
How you can get involved
- Come to one of our public meetings which are held every 3 months
- Volunteer to help us deliver our activities (even an hour or two can really make a difference)
- Become a member
- Follow us and our major projects on social media for regular news and updates on upcoming activities
- Give us feedback on what we do, and ideas for new activities and projects
- Join us at our events and activities. Everyone is very welcome, and you don’t need to be a member to join us. It’s a great way to make new friends and get to know your neighbours.
If you enjoy an activity you would like to develop, and share with others in the village you could bring the idea to the public meetings or email us at team@chopwell.org. We would love to support you in developing your idea, and it could be a great way to share your passion with others.
If you live in the village look out for our quarterly newsletter through your letterbox. It includes news about what we are doing, and also news from our partner groups in the village. If you don’t live here, we post the newsletter on this website too.
The Chopwell and Blackhall Mill Partnership
Chopwell Regeneration Group know the importance of working together with other local organisations to help and support each other and share resources, news and events. In addition by jointly working on projects together we can accomplish more than by working in isolation. We have a partnership with Chopwell Community Association and Blackhall Mill Community Association.
Policies
You can view our Policy documents by clicking the relevant links below:
Reports & Meetings
Subscribe to our mailing list
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters to receive details of upcoming events and latest news about what the Regeneration Group are doing in the village.
Email: team@chopwell.org