The Linkskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1119143
About the charity
The Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust focuses on forming thriving communities for all in North Tyneside. The Trust was established in July 2003 following a successful community campaign to save the Linskill Centre in North Shields from demolition. Transformed into a much-loved community hub where people learn, engage and socialise, the centre now attracts over 16,000 visitors per month and employs over 60 people. The Trust’s objectives are to grow community reach and income by developing three centres and services to create go-to destinations in North Tyneside.
Project name
Project Langley
Project overview
Project Langley is the refurbishment of an existing underutilised IT space within the Linskill Centre, developing it into a multi-use social space for community groups, local charities and organisations. The Trust was keen to progress with Project Langley in 2020 and with a business case and design proposal the Trust had secured a loan to deliver the project. However, as a result of COVID-19 the centre was temporarily closed and the Trust’s revenue streams were significantly impacted.
How the £50,000 grant will help
The grant from Ecclesiastical gives Project Langley the green light – the renovation programme to transform the old IT suite into the new multi-use Langley Room can begin in December 2020. All proceeds raised by the Trust’s commercial activities are reinvested into the Linskill Centre so every pound spent whether buying a coffee, attending a class, or booking a room contributes. This means that the Langley Room development will not just add to the thriving community facility, it will also increase its revenue. Long term this will help with the Trust’s mission to improve the facilities, respond to community need and develop a strong and sustainable organisation.
Quotation
“We were very surprised when we heard we had won and it was such positive news on what has been a challenging few months for the charity. This grant is going to allow us to progress Project Langley in readiness for members of the community to return to normal business. In the longer term, it provides capacity for community programmes and revenue generation for the sustainability of the charity as a whole.”
Simeon Ripley, The Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust
