Durham Cricket Foundation is expanding its craft programme to the heart of Chester le Street through a new collaboration with REfUSE Cafe, bringing free glass painting sessions to the town’s high street.
The sessions will take place on Tuesdays 17, 24 and 31 March from 1.30pm to 3.00pm, offering local residents the chance to take part in a creative activity while connecting with others in the community. All materials are provided and no previous experience is required.
The partnership grew from a shared desire to support local people and create spaces where everyone feels welcome, regardless of circumstance. Operating on a “pay as you feel” basis, REfUSE is a volunteer-run cafe that serves meals made from food that would otherwise go to waste.
Durham Cricket Foundation shares a similar ethos in its community programmes, working to remove barriers to participation by offering free activities that support wellbeing and social connection.
For more than five years, the Foundation’s craft programme has provided opportunities for people to learn new skills, meet others and build confidence through creative activities, including embroidery, glass painting and crochet and knitting classes at Banks Homes Riverside.
With the addition of the new session at REfUSE, Durham Cricket Foundation is expanding its craft programme to five regular sessions. Participants in the glass painting classes will work with recycled glass generously donated by Pinesway Glass Ltd, allowing participants to give new life to reclaimed materials.
Angela Sheridan, Durham Cricket Foundation’s Community Inclusion Officer said “We are thrilled to be bringing our crafts programme to the high street and to a venue that so many people in Chester-le-Street already know and love. REfUSE Café shares our belief in building community, and its ethos of recycling aligns perfectly with how we run our glass painting sessions. We are especially grateful to Pinesway Glass Ltd, whose donations of recycled materials make this possible. These sessions are open to everyone so please come along, have a go, and meet some brilliant people.”
The craft sessions will run on Tuesdays at REfUSE, starting on 17th March with a three week pilot programme, turning into regular sessions in April. The sessions are open to anyone who would like to take part, whether they’re experienced crafters or simply curious to give it a go.
Session Details
Dates: Tuesdays 17th, 24th & 31st March
Time: 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Venue: REfUSE Café, 143c Front Street, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3AU
Cost: Free with all materials provided
Experience needed: None