A Hemlington charity is preparing to move into a larger and more visible home at the Viewley Centre, bringing its low-cost food, pre-loved goods and community support together behind a new front door.
Tees Valley Together CIO is set to relocate from its current space beside Hemlington Library into unit 43, a former carpet shop within the centre. Middlesbrough Council announced the plan on 10 November, saying refurbishment work would be completed between now and the end of the month.
The move is intended to make the charity easier to find and give its staff, volunteers and visitors more room. The new premises will include dedicated areas for the Eco Shop and Home from Home, along with community space and an office for the team.
Affordable essentials and a place to connect
Tees Valley Together began during the pandemic and became a registered charitable incorporated organisation in 2021. Its stated purpose is to help prevent or relieve by providing food, essential items and services to people in need and to organisations doing similar work.
The charity’s Eco Shop uses supermarket surplus to offer affordable food while helping to reduce waste. Its current information says the shop is open to everyone, with customers able to choose ten items for £2 and pay a small amount for additional goods.
Home from Home sells pre-loved clothing, toys, games and small household items. It also has a baby room with clothes for children up to two years old and items such as baby baths, blankets and toys.
Both projects currently advertise opening hours of noon to 2.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Those times relate to the existing operation, and people planning a visit during the relocation should check with the charity for any temporary changes.
Services moving together
Middlesbrough Council says all of Tees Valley Together’s existing services will move into the new unit. Warm Welcome Wednesday will continue in the Community Living Room for the time being rather than moving immediately.
The weekly warm welcome currently runs from 11am to 1pm on Wednesdays, offering a hot drink, a snack and free activities. Previous sessions have included crafts, games and visits from other local organisations.
Tees Valley Together also runs school-holiday activities for children and signposts residents to other of help. Its own history says between 30 and 50 people have been accessing its services on a typical open day at the Viewley Centre.
A clearer presence in Hemlington
The charity has worked from Hemlington since 2021 and describes itself as a local “front door” to help and support. Moving into a shopfront unit should give that role a more visible presence within the centre while providing extra space for community activity.
The change is also part of a wider with Middlesbrough Council. Once Tees Valley Together has moved, the space it currently occupies is expected to offer easier public access to council staff.
An exact opening date for unit 43 has not yet been announced. The council says further updates will confirm when the new premises will open and how residents can access services during and after the move.
Until then, current service information is available from Tees Valley Together, while the full relocation announcement is on the Middlesbrough Council website.