Volunteers

Sedgefield Development Trust Projects are run by volunteers and you can get involved at any time with any project, speak to us to learn more about each project.

Save money on your energy bills
The Thermal Imaging Camera loan scheme is a new project brought to you by Sedgefield Development Trust.

We want to help you spot heat loss around your home with one of our FLIR thermal imaging cameras, which you can loan for free. Its simple to use though your smart phone and it helps you to find draughts in your home. These nifty gadgets connect to smartphones to quickly spot where heat is either escaping or entering. The cameras work best in the winter when the weather is cold and draughts are easier to spot.

Why are we lending cameras?
We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient and with our Energy Switching scheme subject to the volatile engery market, we see this as an effective means of finding heat loss areas in your home. It's simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.

Sedgefield News is a monthly community newspaper produced by volunteers from the Sedgefield Development Trust. It covers local news, events, and stories from Sedgefield and surrounding villages, including updates on schools, sports, businesses, and community projects.

The paper also features opinion pieces, nature diaries, cultural highlights, and a comprehensive events calendar, making it a go-to source for staying connected with village life.

It is also possible to advertise your local business at extremely competitive rates, distributed to over 3000 homes in Sedgefield, Morden and Fishburn.

1st Sunday of the Month-8:30am to 12 noon.
Sedgefield Farmers’ Market takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 8:30 am to around 12:15–12:30 pm on the village green (in front of St Edmund’s Church) in the heart of Sedgefield.

Run by dedicated local volunteers from the Sedgefield Development Trust, the market features roughly 20 producers each month offering a range of locally sourced goods — from fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, cheese, and baked goods to pies, pastries, spices, bread, beverages, and more.

It also includes a free community stall (perfect for local charities or groups) alongside a music tent and health bus to engage visitors. The market prides itself on being a true producers’ market, encouraging customers to talk with stallholders and learn about the origins of their food.

Nestled at Skerne Wood within NETPark, the Woodland & Wildlife Project is a community conservation initiative. Volunteers work together to enhance biodiversity through activities like planting trees and creating “dead hedges” that provide habitats for insects, small mammals, and birds.

The project also hosts a variety of wildlife-focused events: botany and dawn-chorus walks, bat-watching evenings, Christmas tree recycling days, and annual bird censuses—tools that help guide habitat management and monitor species like chiffchaff, blackcap, bullfinch, and sedge warbler.

Over time, these efforts have created a green corridor and educational woodland space that supports local wildlife and connects community volunteers with nature.

All of the 7 bee-keepers have completed as a minimum, the beginners course offered by Darlington Bee keepers or some other bee keeping organisation and some have a little more experience than others. With the help of a grant brokered by SDT we will have more hives and colonies in 2017.

The aim is to increase the colonies to about 12 and for all of the bee keepers to support and manage the apiary whilst extending their knowledge.

If you think you might be interested in learning about bee keeping you can contact one of the local associations and check out the training available. Please visit their websites: www.dbka.co.uk or www.teesbees.co.uk or www.durhambeekeepers.org

Don't ditch it, fix it!
Friendly Fixers is a Repair Café where you can bring your broken, damaged or torn household or personal items for advice or repair - all completely free of charge.
Anyone can pop in, even just for a cuppa and a slice of cake. Repairs are free but donations are encouraged if possible to help with the running costs of Friendly Fixers.
First Saturday of the month from 10:30am - 12:30pm, Fishburn Youth & Community Centre (TS21 4ED).

For more information email us at:
repaircafe@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk.
Follow us on Facebook for all things fixing Friendly Fixers—Repair Cafe!

This initiative encourages sustainable travel in and around Sedgefield by promoting cycling, walking, and other active transport options. The project supports residents with advice on safe routes, bike maintenance, and practical tips for reducing car use. It aims to improve health, cut emissions, and make local journeys easier and greener.

Want to get involved? Join community rides, learn maintenance skills, or share ideas to help make Sedgefield a more cycle-friendly place.

Please join us on Facebook or email cycling@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk

Homework Help volunteers help students and pupils with their homework, to gain understanding and confidence so that they can do more on their own.