Easington Social Welfare Centre receives £25k grant for repairs
The Easington Social Welfare Centre, which was built in 1934 and has been at the heart of the mining community in Easington since, has been given the money by the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO).
The centre, which provides a range of activities for the community, was in need of emergency roof repairs to prevent the building from collapsing.
The grant will cover the cost of the repairs, which will help to protect the centre for future generations.
The centre is home to a wooden sprung dance hall which can hold up to 350 people.
It is also used for classes, activities, and function hire for weddings and celebrations.
The centre offers a range of activities including dance and keep-fit classes, friendship groups, regular music nights, and activities for children and families.
It also works with other organisations to offer training and education opportunities and hosts drop-in sessions with a local housing association.
Chair of trustees at Easington, Lynn Dodds, said: “As the hub of a former coal mining community, the support we receive from CISWO is vital for the centre to continue the work we do with our residents.
“They have been a vital contributor to our community over the years.
“The funding we received will ensure we can bring two rooms back into use, helping us to deliver services this community desperately needs.
“Thank you, CISWO, for all your support.”
A roof survey in 2024 identified that urgent repairs were needed to prevent collapse and significant internal damage to other parts of the building.
The funding from CISWO has allowed essential repair work to be undertaken, making the building safe and watertight, allowing areas of the building to be brought back into use, and has protected this well-loved building for use by future generations.
Nicola Didlock, chief executive at CISWO, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support the trustees at Easington Social Welfare Centre to protect this community space which is such an important and valued part of the former mining community in Easington.
“We recognise the hard work and dedication of the trustees and look forward to further supporting them in the future as they continue to develop this well-loved facility.”
CISWO has been working closely with the welfare centre for the last two and a half years, providing guidance and support to the trustees around governance, sustainability, and funding.