Connection, Confidence and Community in Seaton Delaval

Seaton Delaval is a small village in Northumberland, home to around 5,000 people and the iconic National Trust site, Seaton Delaval Hall. It is also home to one of Children North East’s largest youth groups, where young people aged 11 – 18 come together to make friends, try new activities, develop life skills and feel part of their community.

With up to 50 young people attending each week, the group is a vibrant hub where local young people can come together in a safe environment. While Seaton Delaval is an idyllic place to grow up, opportunities for young people to socialise outside school can be limited. As a result, social isolation can become a real issue for those in rural settings. Crime rates in Northumberland are low compared to other areas of the North East, but young people are still twice as likely to be a victim of crime, and where there is no other outlet, they can turn to anti-social behaviour easily.

This is why it is so important for communities to have spaces where young people can come together safely, develop social relationships, have someone to talk to and make friends. This is exactly what Children North East provides through its youth provision in Seaton Delaval. The youth group helps fill that gap, creating a welcoming space where young people can spend time together, build supportive friendships and enjoy positive experiences close to home.

Every week, sessions offer lots of activities chosen with young people’s interests and needs in mind. For many young people, the group is much more than a weekly activity, it’s one of the only places where they can spend time with friends, feel accepted and enjoy being young.

“Everyone comes out on a Tuesday and it’s somewhere warm to sit. When it’s not open, we’re still here, just at the park with nowhere else to go.” – Young Person

“We love coming here because it’s fun and one night a week to chat to everyone.” – Young Person

When asked where they would be if the youth group did not exist, many struggled to think of an answer, highlighting just how important the weekly sessions are.

“I would just be at home, not seeing my friends.” – Young Person

Young people play a central role in shaping the group. From choosing activities and trips to deciding what snacks are available, their opinions genuinely matter.

“We all get to vote on where we go. We’ve been ice-skating.” – Young Person

Their voices have even helped get additional funding for their interests. In the past two years, they’ve received funding through the High Sheriff Award and grants of up to £1,000 to kit out the space with gaming equipment and accredited First Aid courses.

“I got to learn how to do CPR and a tourniquet and look after someone who’s been hurt.” – Young Person

Young people have ambitious ideas for the future, from learning about topics not covered in school to developing creative community projects.

“We’d like to learn more, like about animals and stuff you don’t get to learn in school.” – Young Person

“It would be cool if we could get permission to create positive graffiti artwork that shows we care about the area and want to feel more welcoming too.” – Young Person

Staff see first-hand the difference youth provision makes in young people’s lives. For some, the youth group is one of the few opportunities they have to socialise regularly and develop relationships outside of school. For some attendees the group provides opportunities to build communication skills, confidence and positive relationships they might not develop elsewhere.

“Some of the kids aren’t accessing education, so this is the only space they have to socialise and learn behaviour and develop their own personalities and self-expression.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

“Without a youth provision, kids aren’t building life skills and communication skills. School doesn’t always support them to do that.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

The group also offers an environment built on trust and mutual respect, helping young people understand boundaries while developing positive relationships with staff and their peers, and the youth group remains a lifeline for local young people despite years of cuts to youth services.

“There’s a sense of mutual respect. They know how to behave and that if they’re good in the group they get to keep coming.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

“There’s been a youth provision in our area for 20-plus years and it used to be five nights a week, but the funding got cut and cut again until all the youth staff from the council were made redundant, so that’s when we approached Children North East to keep this open once a week.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

There have been challenges, but demand for the service remains high and the group’s long-standing presence has helped build trust with local families too.

“I’ve been working here for 16 years. You know the kids, you know the families, you’ve seen them grow up.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

“There’s a lot of support from the parents. They’ve seen us in the community for so long and they know what this group means to their kids.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

Staff also work closely with local police and community support officers to deliver engaging sessions on road safety and the safe use of e-scooters and e-bikes, helping young people stay informed and safe while building positive relationships with local services.

The young people are clear about what they want for the future: more opportunities to spend time together, particularly during school holidays.

“I’d definitely come if the group was on more nights.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

“We would love to go on a big summer trip somewhere like Flamingo Land.” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

Their enthusiasm reflects just how important the group has become, as one member of staff explained:

“After 12 years, this has probably been my favourite group I’ve worked with. They’re just a lovely group!” – Seaton Delaval Youth Worker

For many young people, Seaton Delaval Youth Group is far more than a place to spend an evening. It’s somewhere they can make friends, build confidence and feel part of their community. At a time where youth provision has reduced significantly, Children North East continues to provide a vital space where local young people can belong, be heard and thrive.