Lidl Darlington Faverdale

The coffee morning is a volunteer-led group dedicated to bringing residents of Middridge together and strengthening community connections within the village. Recognising that many people in Middridge, particularly older residents, experience loneliness and isolation due to limited mobility, living alone, or reduced opportunities to socialise, the Middridge Community Connect Association runs a free two-hour weekly coffee morning at Middridge Village Hall. This welcoming session provides a warm, friendly space where residents can meet others, enjoy conversation, and feel part of their community again. For many attendees, the coffee morning offers an important opportunity to leave the house, build friendships, and reconnect with neighbours, helping to reduce social isolation and improve overall wellbeing. The sessions are organised and delivered entirely by local volunteers who are passionate about supporting their community and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of age or circumstance. By removing financial barriers and keeping the event free to attend, the association ensures that all residents can take part, particularly those on fixed or limited incomes. The relaxed and informal atmosphere encourages conversation, laughter, and companionship, which plays a vital role in improving mental health by reducing loneliness, boosting confidence, and giving people something positive to look forward to each week. In addition to the emotional benefits, the coffee morning also supports physical wellbeing by encouraging residents to remain active, maintain routines, and engage socially, all of which contribute to healthier and more independent living. The gathering has become an important hub within the village, strengthening community spirit and helping neighbours support one another beyond the sessions themselves. Middridge Community Connect Association aims to reconnect people, improve mental and physical health, and ensure that no resident feels isolated, demonstrating how a simple volunteer-led coffee morning can make a meaningful and lasting difference to the wellbeing of the Middridge community.

Angel Trust was formed as a local charity for the local people of Darlington and County Durham. Our aim is to improve the local community and make life better for those living within it. We have created a food bank in Bishop Auckland town centre after being inundated with request for food support from individuals, through local referral agencies like social services, police, Macmillan, schools etc.

King's Foodbank is a Christian Charity that is part of King's Church Darlington, located at The King's Centre, Whessoe Road. Individuals and families who are experiencing food poverty and have been referred by the local authority and other support agencies can come to the Centre for emergency food bags as well as other essential items for personal hygiene, laundry and even pet food. We are open on Mondays and Thursdays for people to collect their food bags, where staff and volunteers provide a warm, welcoming space and can offer support to access other agencies for help with budgeting, housing and access to welfare benefits. People who are in financial difficulties because of unemployment, low incomes, who are single parents, ex offenders, victims of domestic abuse, experiencing poor physical or mental health or newly arrived in the area as asylum seekers or refugees can benefit from our services. We understand that many are struggling with the current cost of energy and food and how the proposed cuts to welfare benefits may be creating anxiety for those who are already vulnerable and disadvantaged and it is our passion and our aim to serve anyone in need, whatever their age, ethnicity, faith or conditions of life. We are always in need of non-perishable food, fresh produce, bread and UHT Milk, clothing, toiletries, bedding, pet food and baby products. We are extremely grateful for every donation that we receive and for the heart and kindness of everyone who donates and we could not deliver this vital support without support from local businesses, supermarkets and the public.