Research snapshot
Our spaces, our community
Background
The research was developed by Weardale Together and Weardale WordFest in response to growing concerns about the future of community spaces in a rural area with limited facilities and transport.
Community venues, cultural activities and volunteering play a vital role in addressing rural isolation and supporting community cohesion.
The project aimed to understand community needs, particularly those of underrepresented groups, and help future-proof community life across Weardale.
Objective
To explore how shared community spaces contribute to community life in Weardale, understand how they are used and valued, and identify ways to strengthen inclusion, participation and future sustainability.
Research methods
The project combined traditional and creative community research approaches, including:
A community survey conducted online and face-to-face
A community gathering involving 35 participants
Knowledge café discussions and community mapping
Creative workshops including poetry, chapbooks and zine-making
Community interviews, film, music and visual arts activities
Community members were involved throughout the research process, with findings analysed through both discussion-based and creative methods.
Key insights
Community spaces and the activities they host cannot be separated.
Meaningful activities help foster engagement, wellbeing and community cohesion.
Residents feel strongly connected to their local communities and shared spaces.
Future planning should focus on both protecting spaces and supporting the activities that take place within them.
Creative approaches can generate rich insights into community identity, needs and aspirations.
Findings
Places, people and activities are interconnected
Participants described community spaces as places that enable people to connect through meaningful activities, creating stronger and healthier communities.
Community spaces support belonging and wellbeing
Shared venues were valued for the opportunities they provide to learn, socialise, volunteer, build relationships and develop a sense of belonging.
Loss of community spaces is a significant concern
A strong theme was concern about the decline or loss of valued community spaces and the impact this could have on social connection and community resilience.
Survey findings highlights:
61 community responses returned by Weardale residents.
Strong use of local community spaces, with St Thomas' Church Hall (55 responses), Root and Branch Community Café (45), and the Methodist Schoolroom (37) being the most frequently used venues.
93% of respondents (57/61) supported bringing St Thomas' Church Hall into community ownership to ensure it continues as a venue for local events and activities.
Conclusion
This research highlights that community spaces matter because they bring people together.
The findings demonstrate that shared spaces create opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection and belonging. Helping to build healthy and resilient communities.
The research also highlights the importance of investing in both community venues and the activities they support, ensuring that community life in Weardale remains inclusive, vibrant and sustainable for future generations.
