TEES Community Hub extends its Welcome

Funding awards of £85,100 since April 2022 have put the TEES (Together, Engage, Encourage, Support) charity on a firmer footing in their new premises, Wykeham Court Community Centre, Skelton. Founder and CEO Tonia Nixon, who has been writing the bids with support from the Trustees is thrilled that TEES can continue to run the twelve services that they currently offer free to the people of Redcar and Cleveland. These are: TEES Community Hub, Charity Shop & Cafe; TEES Community Clothing Bank, TEES Period/Incontinence Poverty Campaign; TEES Menstrual Education Sessions; TEES Emergency Response; TEES Christmas Cheer; TEES Foodbank and Referral Project and TEES Free space for Community Groups.

―Referrals, which come from over seventy local organisations and agencies, have gone up by sixty per cent in the last two months,‖ says Tonia. ―Families who have two parents working are finding their incomes don‘t cover their bills any more and tradesmen who used up their savings during the pandemic, now can‘t afford their materials even if they can get them on time. They‘re in situations they never envisaged.‖

The move from Saltburn to Wykeham Court Community Centre in Skelton has enabled Tonia to develop a warm and welcoming social space. ―Our community cafe offers all day breakfasts, affordable lunches and snacks from 10.00am to 2.00pm from Mondays to Thursdays inclusive. We have a lending library and lots of events taking place, from Christmas Crafters on Mondays, Bingo Tuesdays, Saltburn Charity Crafters on Thursdays to monthly table top sales.‖

She encourages interested people to view four short recently filmed YouTube videos, entitled ‗A Touch of Tees‘.

These tell the stories of some of the volunteers and people helped, as well as giving a tour of the premises. ―It‘s easy to get to Wykeham Court from Saltburn,‖ she says. ―Just get off the X3 bus opposite Sainsbury‘s on Byland Road, turn down Jervaulx Road and right to the Community Centre. Go through the gate on the left hand side and we will welcome you!‖

Tonia adds: ―TEES would like to thank all the Funders, Supporters, Agencies, Businesses, Charities & individuals for their continued support and help to keep TEES running and supporting the people of Redcar & Cleveland. Donations from £60,000 to a few hours of your time has made us the success we are today. We thank you all…‖ (A detailed list of funders can be found on the Benefactors page of the website www.teescommunity.co.uk).