Small Charity Spotlight: Bensham Grove Community Centre

This week is Small Charity Week 2026. To celebrate, each day we're going to feature a small charity and tell you about the amazing work that they do. Today's small but wonderful charity is... 

Bensham Grove Community Centre 

One of the first things you notice about Bensham Grove Community Centre is the setting: a beautiful Grade II listed Arts & Crafts building. The building has real character, you can feel its history as soon as you walk in. 

Inside you will find a warm welcome and a wide choice of classes, creative courses, and wellbeing support, all built around an inclusive environment for everyone to connect and thrive.  

Walking into Bensham Grove, I was struck by the energy of the place. All the volunteers and staff welcomed me and made sure I was being looked after. There’s a real sense that something is always happening here. It felt creative and friendly, a place where people can build confidence and learn new skills. 

Every room I passed had a different group busy creating and chatting. Everyone was keen to show me what they were making. There was a real sense of pride in what was being achieved, from beginners to the more experienced members.

What does Bensham Grove Community Centre offer?

On the Tuesday morning that I called in, there was an ESOL class, an art group and a craft and textiles class taking place. I was told that elsewhere on the site, the Pottery Club was in full swing, or should that be full spin...

I visited the centre to support Benshaw Grove to update their pages on OurGateshead.org. We later heard from the Centre Manager that by adding the individual events to OurGateshead’s ‘Things to do’ page, they increased the number of people taking up the amazing opportunities at this unique centre. 

Their own website also shows the full range of activities taking place across the week. 

Overall, Bensham Grove Community Centre feels more than just a place that hosts events, it’s somewhere that creates genuine opportunities for people to come together, be creative, and feel part of a community. 

If you would like support using OurGateshead, or advice on gaining as many page views as possible, please contact OurGateshead@ConnectedVoice.org.uk.

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