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Tees Valley

Positive local stories, useful developments and people making a difference in Tees Valley.

Middlesbrough College's main building seen across the water at Middlesbrough Dock.

Year 5 pupils to explore Tees Valley careers through new college partnership

Middlesbrough College and Lingfield Education Trust have agreed three years of careers activity, employer contact and staff development for primary schools.

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Rows of books on a low library shelf, with several books displayed upright along the top.

Hartlepool's first author showcase brings 31 writers to York Road

A free three-hour event at Community Hub Central will bring together writers, readers and families for panels, signings, workshops and storytelling.

Parachutists under blue canopies; illustrative photograph, not the MFC Foundation fundraiser.

Tees Valley supporters raise more than £12,000 for MFC Foundation in 14,000ft skydive

Twenty-one volunteers took the plunge at Shotton Colliery Airfield to support the Foundation’s community work.

One Community Link founder and CEO Euphrasia Makaure speaking at an OCL event.

One Community Link sets five-year plan to tackle refugee homelessness and widen opportunity across Tees Valley

Stockton-based One Community Link has set out a five-year plan covering housing, employment, digital inclusion, racial justice and youth opportunity as it approaches ten years as a charity.

Tees Business Showcase and Forum 2026 registration artwork featuring the Riverside Stadium

New Tees Business Showcase opens registration for Riverside Stadium event

A new business showcase and forum at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium will bring together up to 60 exhibitors, workshops, speakers and networking on 20 October.

ARC Stockton Arts Centre illuminated at night

Turner on Tees programme links galleries and artists across all five Tees Valley boroughs

A region-wide Turner on Tees programme is connecting galleries, museums, artists, schools and communities across Tees Valley alongside the Turner Prize 2026 exhibition at MIMA.

Black and yellow Tees Valley Tennis Foundation logo with a tennis ball incorporated into the lettering

Tees Valley tennis charity opens financial support for young players

Families can now apply for help with coaching, equipment, competition and travel costs where money is stopping an 8 to 18-year-old from taking part in tennis or padel.

Tees Valley Combined Authority chief executive Tom Bryant at the new entrance to Darlington railway station

Tees Valley’s ten-year growth plan puts skills, transport and local businesses at the centre

A new ten-year Local Growth Plan sets out how the region intends to focus investment on business growth, transport links, skills and attracting new employers.

Staff from Moonrise 24hr Recruitment in Stockton celebrating their sponsorship of the 2026 Tees Businesswomen Awards

Stockton care business puts emerging Tees Valley firms in the spotlight

Moonrise 24hr Recruitment is sponsoring the Best New Business category at the Tees Businesswomen Awards for a third year as nominations remain open until 7 September.

Tees Business LIVE panel at The Auxiliary in Middlesbrough discussing recognition and the Tees Businesswomen Awards

Tees businesswomen call on the region to recognise female talent before awards deadline

Three leading Teesside businesswomen have urged employers and colleagues to put forward women whose work deserves recognition, with nominations for the 2026 Tees Businesswomen Awards closing on 7 September.

Bottle of Notes sculpture outside MIMA in Middlesbrough, used on the official Turner Prize 2026 event listing

Turner Prize opens at MIMA this September, bringing one of British art’s biggest awards to Middlesbrough

MIMA will host the Turner Prize 2026 exhibition from 26 September until 29 March 2027, with four shortlisted artists shown in Middlesbrough and the winner announced in December.

Children taking part in a community sports activity supported by The Teesside Charity, with adults holding The Teesside Charity sign in the foreground

Tees Valley community groups can apply for The Teesside Charity’s next round of grants

The Teesside Charity has opened applications for its December 2026 grant meeting, giving community projects across the five Tees Valley council areas until 12 November to make their case for support.

Representatives from Teesside Hospice, Eaglescliffe Golf Club and Southern Asset Management on the golf course

Teesside Hospice golf day brings local teams together to support end-of-life care

Teesside Hospice’s annual golf day returns to Eaglescliffe Golf Club on 11 September, with teams raising money for hospice care across the local community.

Hutchinson Transport tanker pictured at the Middlesbrough-based transport firm

Middlesbrough family transport firm wins expanded UK distribution contract

Middlesbrough-based Hutchinson Transport has secured additional nationwide work with Univar Solutions after its performance on an existing contract.

Tees Businesswomen Awards 2026 official logo

Tees Businesswomen Awards enter final week for nominations

Businesses and individuals have until Monday 7 September to enter or nominate people for the 2026 Tees Businesswomen Awards, with twelve categories open across the region.

Tees Valley business support imagery from the Combined Authority

Free September workshops bring funding and start-up support across the Tees Valley

A run of fully funded workshops will take practical business support to Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar and Darlington during September.

Supported interns and volunteers speaking on stage at Hartlepool's Centre for Independent Living

The quiet return on kindness: why helping other people can help us too

Across Teesside, thousands of hours are given freely to community projects every year. Research suggests those acts of help may benefit the people giving them too, although the science is more nuanced than the slogans.

Musicians taking part in an orchestra session linked to Middlesbrough's Musinc programme

Why Teesside keeps singing together

From Middlesbrough Town Hall to Stockton Globe, community singing is thriving across Teesside. A growing body of research suggests the appeal may be about much more than music.

A 3D printer in Middlesbrough Central Library's public Makerspace with library staff

The underrated joy of making things: why Teesside's craft tables and Fab Labs matter

From a free craft group in Redcar to 3D printers and sewing machines in Hartlepool, Teesside has places where people can make things together. Emerging research suggests that creative activity may support wellbeing too.

Albert Park in Middlesbrough during installation of new park safety equipment

What Teesside's parks, beaches and river might be doing for our heads

A walk through Albert Park, along Redcar seafront or beside the Tees can feel restorative. Research into green and blue spaces suggests there may be something real behind that feeling.

ETCH Loftus promotional image for the free creative networking event

Free creative network ETCH adds a new Loftus meet-up to its Tees Valley map

ETCH is bringing its free creative networking format to Loftus on 9 September, adding another place for artists, makers and creative people to meet without a paywall.

The front door of 10 Downing Street, used with the government announcement on new mayoral planning powers.

Tees Valley mayor set to get new powers over major planning applications

Major housing, commercial and tall-building schemes across the Tees Valley could be called in by the mayor under new planning proposals announced by government.

Graphic from The Teesside Charity's school uniform pledge campaign.

Teesside school uniform pledge will double donations for families before the new term

The Teesside Charity has launched a match-funded school uniform appeal after referrals for help rose sharply this year. Every pound donated to the pledge is being doubled for local children.

Beth Brockwell at Steel River Quay, where she is developing her leadership and project management skills through apprenticeship levy funding.

£1.8m apprenticeship pot is already helping Tees Valley firms take on new talent

Eleven major employers have pledged around £1.8 million through a Tees Valley scheme that redirects unused apprenticeship levy funding to local businesses. So far, 89 apprentices have been supported and £600,000 remains available.

Sky at night over a garden where friends sit and catch uo

There is more good happening on Teesside than you think. And noticing it matters.

Bad news is very good at getting our attention. But research suggests the stories and information we repeatedly consume can affect how we feel, and Teesside has far more good happening than the headlines sometimes suggest.

Young people involved in Tees Valley employment support

Youth Guarantee reopens to help Tees Valley 18 to 21-year-olds into work

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has reopened for a second year, offering local 18 to 21-year-olds personalised support, training and, where appropriate, paid work experience.

Observer Interactive team featured in a Tees Valley Export Fund story

Tees Valley firms urged to make final push for export funding

The Tees Valley Export Fund is offering eligible firms grants of £3,000 to £10,000 before its 31 August deadline, following support for 127 local companies.

Tees Valley musician Jodie Nicholson

Three Tees Valley musicians win career-changing industry support

Three Tees Valley artists and five music professionals have secured PPL Momentum Accelerator support for recordings, career development and local creative platforms.

Stagecoach buses at Stockton in Tees Valley

New autumn bus services will connect more Tees Valley communities

New and extended bus links planned for autumn will connect communities with hospitals, colleges and town centres, backed by contracts running to at least March 2028.

Housing at Hillside Gardens in Tees Valley

£33.3m housing package aims to unlock more than 1,000 Tees Valley homes

A £33.3 million Brownfield Housing Fund package has been approved to unlock 1,085 homes across Tees Valley by paying for difficult site preparation and enabling work.

Railway heritage celebrations in Tees Valley featured in regional tourism figures

Tees Valley tourism passes £1.5bn as visitor numbers rise

Tees Valley welcomed 21.26 million visitors in 2025, with tourism’s estimated economic impact rising by £141 million to more than £1.5 billion.

£20,000 Boost for Yatton House as Great Ayton Community Hub Expands Its Reach

£20,000 Boost for Yatton House as Great Ayton Community Hub Expands Its Reach

A familiar building in the heart of Great Ayton is quietly proving just how powerful community spaces can be. The Yatton House Society has been awarded a £20,000 grant, providing a significant boost to its work supporting local residents and keeping an essential community hub alive and active. For a village where…

Tees Valley Housing Partnership Launched to Accelerate Affordable Homes Across the Region

Tees Valley Housing Partnership Launched to Accelerate Affordable Homes Across the Region

A new regional partnership has been launched with the ambition of transforming how affordable homes are delivered across Tees Valley. The new initiative is bringing together housing associations, local authorities and public bodies under a shared commitment to collaboration rather than competition. The Tees Valley…

New Engine Room Hub Aims to Put Teesside Creative Production on the World Stage

New Engine Room Hub Aims to Put Teesside Creative Production on the World Stage

A new chapter has begun for Teesside’s creative economy with the launch of Engine Room, a purpose-built production hub designed to support film, digital and creative businesses to grow, collaborate and export their work far beyond the region. Based in the Tees Valley, Engine Room has been created to strengthen the…

Over 600 pupils from across Teesside participated in the fifth annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Enterprise Challenge

Over 600 pupils from across Teesside participated in the fifth annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Enterprise Challenge

In an incredible display of creativity, passion, and teamwork, over 600 pupils from across Teesside participated in the fifth annual SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Enterprise Challenge, hosted by Teesworks. This exciting event, held in the heart of our vibrant industrial region, brought together…

Teesside Airport Forges New Link To Guernsey For Summer 2026

Teesside Airport Forges New Link To Guernsey For Summer 2026

Teesside Airport will expand its Channel Islands connections next summer with a new link to Guernsey. Operated by Premier Holidays, the service will run from May until September, giving Teesside passengers even more choice for their summer getaways. The new route builds on the ongoing success of Teesside’s popular…

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Expands With Second Hangar Launched At Teesside Airport

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Expands With Second Hangar Launched At Teesside Airport

Willis Lease Finance Corporation, the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, has officially opened its second hangar at Teesside International Airport as part of an expansion of its operations. This hangar was initially announced in April 2025 as WLFC subsidiary,…

Business Leaders Invited to Shape Tees Valley’s 10-Year Growth Plan

Business Leaders Invited to Shape Tees Valley’s 10-Year Growth Plan

Business leaders are being encouraged to help shape the future direction of the Tees Valley economy at a series of engagement events. An initial series of engagement events are being held next week to help shape the region’s Local Growth Plan (LGP) – a 10-year strategic framework to drive economic growth. Tees…

Taken: 3rd February 2023 Apprentice Katie Rotherham at Jacobs in Stockton on Tees. Image Byline: Dave Charnley Photography.

Tees Valley Apprenticeships Supercharged With Major New Support Service

Businesses across Tees Valley are to benefit from the launch of a new programme set to super-charge apprenticeships across the region. Tees Valley’s Apprenticeship Levy Matching Service will use unspent apprenticeship levy funding from major employers to create more apprenticeship opportunities and develop the…

Tees Valley’s Hidden Gems: Uncovering Lesser-Known Attractions

Take a minute to visit a stunning gem on your own doorstep! Often celebrated for its industrial heritage and vibrant urban centres, our region harbours a collection of lesser-known attractions that offer tranquillity and natural beauty. For those seeking to venture off the beaten path, destinations such as True Lover’s Walk in Yarm, Kildale Falls […]

Middleton Hall’s Open Gardens Event Raises Nearly £800 for Charity

The tranquil grounds of Middleton Hall Retirement Village in Middleton St George became a vibrant hub of activity last month as the village opened its gardens to the public in support of charity. Hosted as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), the annual open day saw garden enthusiasts from across the region flock to […]

Photo by Naomie Daslin

Empower Yourself with Fact-Checking Tools: Making Informed Choices in Tees Valley

It’s no secret, the information we consume shapes our decisions, opinions, and even our emotions. However, with the vast amount of news circulating daily, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between fact and fiction. This is why it’s more important than ever to equip ourselves with reliable tools to…

Embracing Conversations on Mental Health for Time to Talk Day 2024

Embracing Conversations on Mental Health for Time to Talk Day 2024

Time to Talk Day, celebrated on 1 February 2024, brought together individuals from all walks of life, united by a common purpose: to break the silence around mental health. This year, Mind Teesside’s own Claire and Hannah made a significant impact, engaging with customers and visitors, demonstrating the power of…

Tees Media: ‘The Three C’s of The Tees’

Tees Media: ‘The Three C’s of The Tees’

The Tees set out its editorial identity around three themes in 2024: Community, Culture and Connection, with positive local reporting at the centre.

CGI of how the Willis Sustainable Fuels plant at Dorman Point, Teesworks, will look

Big Boost For Sustainable Aviation Fuel on Teesside as Five Firms Win Multimillion Pound Funding

Making Teesside the UK capital of creating low-carbon aviation fuel has taken a big leap forward after a major funding boost. Almost £40million from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund has been awarded to five Teesside-based firms leading the way in creating Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The total award…

Taken: 4th May 2022 Images of the hanger in Teesside International Airport. Image Byline: Dave Charnley Photography.

First Export Leaves Teesside Airport’s Cargo Handling Facility As Imports Roll In

Teesside Airport’s cargo handling facility has waved goodbye to its first export shipment, following more than a dozen import movements in just two weeks. The fully accredited facility is newly up and running but has already made a name for itself as the key hub for the swift turnaround of cargo, particularly in…

Taken: 18th January 2022 Tees Works with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and general progress shots. Image Byline: Dave Charnley Photography.

Teesworks Makes Final Shortlist For New Rolls-Royce SMR Factory

Teesworks has secured a spot on the final shortlist of locations to host Rolls-Royce’s first factory manufacturing parts for its fleet of clean energy power stations. The heavy pressure vessels factory will produce and assemble some of the largest and most complex components for Rolls-Royce’s small modular reactor…

Teesside Airport Staff Launch Huge Drive to Boost Awareness With Travel Agents

Teesside Airport Staff Launch Huge Drive to Boost Awareness With Travel Agents

Workers at Teesside Airport are visiting more than 120 travel agents in a huge push to highlight its offering for the 2023 summer season. Ahead of January – the peak season for people booking their summer holidays – 11 members of staff have begun dropping in on agents spanning the whole of the North East, […]

Net Zero Airport By 2030 Unveiled in Bold New Vision

Net Zero Airport By 2030 Unveiled in Bold New Vision

A bold vision to make operations at Teesside International Airport Net Zero by 2030 has been backed. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Members approved a Net Zero Strategy for the region at a Cabinet meeting on Friday morning (December 9). And it included a move to ensure…

Ten Year Deal Secured for World-Leading Fire Training Centre

Ten Year Deal Secured for World-Leading Fire Training Centre

A new 10-year deal has been signed to keep a world-leading fire training centre at Teesside International Airport. Serco has signed a 10-year lease with the airport – safeguarding more than 50 jobs at the world class centre of excellence. The International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) has been based at the airport…

Draken personnel connected with the company’s growing Teesside aircraft fleet

Draken’s Teesside Fleet Grows As New Airport Hangar Completed

Aviation services and technology firm Draken has welcomed a fleet of advanced combat jets to its base at Teesside Airport following the completion of its new hangar. The new hangar has been constructed to accommodate Draken’s fleet of Alca L-159E “Honey Badger” aircraft. These Czech-built light multi-role combat…