Community Centre and Arts Hub is cooking up a storm thanks to a really generous donation
July 2021
The Hearth Centre in Horsley Village is really cooking on gas thanks to the help of Karbon Homes.
Thanks to a partnership between Karbon and kitchen design and supply specialists, Magnet, The Hearth has been gifted a brand-new kitchen for the centre’s main community area, alongside a £1,000 community grant from Karbon to help with installation costs and new appliances.
Denise Singleton, Karbon’s Community Connector for the West Northumberland area said: “Local community organisations like The Hearth play such an important role in rural communities, championing community spirit and providing a place for local residents to come together.”
“It’s been a tough year for local initiatives like The Hearth, which have had no income due to being unable to open through the pandemic. We’re so pleased we’ve been able to help them to get this important work done, which will help make the centre a fantastic place for residents to return to, when the need for its presence is more important than ever.”
Our Unlocking Social Value programme is one of the many ways we shape strong, sustainable places for our communities. However big or small, the commitments our contractors and suppliers make through the programme make a huge difference in the places that we work and to the lives of those who live there.
Paul Bagguley, Senior Project Manager for Magnet Projects, said: “We were delighted to offer our help to such a fantastic cause. The kitchen is the heart of the home and The Hearth is certainly the heart of the community. Their community centre is such a welcoming place and hopefully, they will receive many happy years of service from the new kitchen.”
The donation came as a result of Karbon Homes’ Unlocking Social Value programme, which matches the social value commitments of Karbon’s contractors and suppliers with organisations across the region.
Trustees of The Hearth, Pam Hornor and Natalie Henderson told us:
“We initially approached Karbon about a small grant to help get some of the work done and when they told us that Magnet were happy to provide a new kitchen for free, leaving the small grant award from them to help cover fitting costs and some new equipment, we were totally delighted.
“We are so grateful for the generous support. Our original 19th century Village Hall is now looking wonderful and perfect for visitors to return to our community events this summer. We couldn’t be more grateful for Karbon’s involvement.”
The centre, based in the rural village of Horsley in West Northumberland, offers educational, arts, music and recreational activities for members from the local community and those from surrounding villages such as Prudhoe and West Wylam, providing a hub for residents of all ages to come together and socialise.
The main community Hall at the centre is used by several groups and plays host to a range of free community events/arts/children’s activities.
