East Durham Trust

Who we are

East Durham Trust is a flagship VCSE anchor organisation for the 25 villages and 2 towns of the East Durham Coast. We work to serve the communities of what was Easington District prior to unification and the creation of Durham County Council. This includes a vast number of ex-pit villages.

Delivering poverty reduction and community development we promote community-led support for the most marginalised. We are the ‘go to’ organisation within East Durham for our often-disenfranchised ‘seldom reached’ communities. We balance delivery and development of a range of community-based and led services. East Durham Trust operates on a ‘hub and spoke’ approach through well-established partnerships with our communities.

Our culture and values

At East Durham Trust, our culture is rooted in compassion, equality, and community empowerment. We believe in supporting those most affected by disadvantage, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities, resources, and a voice. Collaboration is central to our work—we partner with local people, organisations, and volunteers to create lasting impact. We are responsive and adaptable, recognising the unique strengths and challenges of our communities. Guided by integrity and respect, we foster trust through transparency and accountability. Our values drive us to challenge inequality, celebrate diversity, and build a fairer, stronger East Durham where everyone can thrive.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At East Durham Trust, we are committed to creating a fair, inclusive, and respectful environment for all. We actively promote equality of opportunity and celebrate the diversity of our workforce, volunteers, and communities. We oppose all forms of discrimination and take a zero-tolerance approach to harassment or prejudice. Our policies and practices ensure recruitment, training, and progression are accessible and equitable. We listen to and value different voices, recognising that diverse perspectives strengthen our work. By embedding inclusion into everything we do, we strive to reflect the communities we serve and champion fairness across East Durham.