Barningham Village Hall has had an almost entire makeover thanks to a scheme that gives young students an opportunity to get hands-on work experience.
Trades4Care works by offering community buildings and care homes a spruce up while providing young people a chance to work alongside skilled professionals.
Last year the hall had its exterior refreshed by Trades4Care through a scheme by the former Teesdale Action Partnership which saw 12 community centres in the dale enjoy a makeover.
Charlie Wright of Trades4Care said: “We did the railings and the exteriors and from that they asked us for a quote on the interiors.”
The latest job was supported with a £1,000 grant from the neighbourhood budget of Cllr Richard Bell, with a £500 contribution from the village hall committee.
Of the work being done, committee member Robin Brooks said: “It is really impressive. It has transformed the room because it was looking a bit run down. It has lightened the whole atmosphere in here.
“We are really grateful to Trades4Care for what they have done because the village hall really is at the centre of the local community and it is vital we keep it going.
“We are fortunate because we’ve had some new people move into the village and they have pitched in as committee members and keep it going from strength to strength.”
The work took about a week to complete. Mr Wright said it costs Trades4Care only about £5,000 a year to get placings for 50 students.
The young people are rewarded with vouchers and treats such as fish and chips for helping out.
Trades4Care will next be in action at Hamsterley where they will be working on a children’s centre attached to the Methodist Church.
