About us
Making Changes North East is a community-led organization dedicated to combating loneliness and isolation by building communities through education and experiences. Our journey began when I, Jasmine, overcame personal adversities and found support through an organisation, Talent Match, which was set to close. Inspired by their impact on my life, I joined forces with Sarah and Miranda to create Making Changes NE in 2018 as a Constituted Organisation.
Since then, we have been committed to making a difference in the lives of others. We started as a project called Be Happy Project, offering opportunities to build a community, meet like-minded people and also take part in hobbies/ interests which may not otherwise be possible.
We offer a range of classes and workshops, from sewing and gardening to mindfulness and healthy eating, providing a safe space for individuals to learn, connect, and explore new hobbies. Our programs are developed based on the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve, ensuring that we address the specific challenges they face.
In 2020, during the global pandemic, we faced financial strain and the possibility of closing down. However, the overwhelming support from our service users reminded us of the positive impact we were making. Determined to continue our mission, we transformed Making Changes NE into a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) in February 2021.
Today, we have helped over 2000 people directly and indirectly, focusing on areas of deprivation in the North East. Our projects aim to empower individuals by providing them with skills, opportunities, and the confidence to overcome the barriers they face. We believe that by creating a strong support network and offering accessible resources, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
At Making Changes NE, we are driven by the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. We are dedicated to supporting individuals, fostering community connections, and inspiring positive change. Join us on this journey as we continue to build a brighter future for the North East.
To find out more about why I set up the organisation, please read our blog here.
Meet the team
HR Director
Managing Director
Media Manager
Hi, I’m Sarah, a founding member of Making Changes.
We created making to changes to give people a safe environment to have a positive impact on peoples mental health and wellbeing. As many services insist that you must fall into a certain catagory for them to offer their service, Making changes welcomes all and persues intergration within comminties making sure that everyone can access what they need to combat isolation, lonlieness, boredem while taking control of their mental heath 🙂
Hi, I’m Jasmine, managing director for Making Changes NE.
Myself and Sarah set up this organisation in 2018, after realising there was not enough help and support available to those in our community and wanting to offer a place where people can come together to learn, have fun and make friends. I come from an area of deprivation and after struggling with my own mental health and realising what little help there was available, I knew something needed to change. I hope to build strong communities so that people know they have someone to turn to.
Hi there! I’m Sean, the online media manager for Making Changes NE.
I graduated from university in probably the worst year to do so, 2020. I left with a degree but no graduation. It got me thinking about what is important, and for me, that is human connection. So? Why not take what’s important to me and turn it into a career. That’s why I joined Making Changes NE, to support their vision of combating loneliness and isolation through education and experience. And therefore, building community-based human connections which is so vital to all aspects of sociality.
Making Changes started off as a constituted organisation in 2018 with an aim to combat loneliness and isolation through education and experience.
We identified a need for people to not only connect with others but to reconnect with themselves.
We set off on a mission to help shape the world in which our community lived.
In 2021 we decided to change the structure of the organisation to a C.I.C in order to grow the organisation and make a difference to adults and children in wider communities.
After three years working specifically with adults, we identified a need for children to learn about their own emotional regulation and self-exploration early on. Everything we offer both adults and children is centred around improving well being, educating, exploring, sustainability and most importantly, having fun.
We have always worked to provide free opportunities in the more deprived areas of the North East, using the Ward Profiles to help determine which areas would benefit most from our help.
We aim to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing by giving them the opportunity to explore new hobbies and learn new skills and coping techniques.
We offer educational activities for both adults and children.
Meet the team
Managing Director
Hi, I’m Jasmine, managing director for Making Changes NE.
Myself and Sarah set up this organisation in 2018, after realising there was not enough help and support available to those in our community and wanting to offer a place where people can come together to learn, have fun and make friends. I come from an area of deprivation and after struggling with my own mental health and realising what little help there was available, I knew something needed to change. I hope to build strong communities so that people know they have someone to turn to.
HR Director
Hi, I’m Sarah, a founding member of Making Changes.
We created making to changes to give people a safe environment to have a positive impact on peoples mental health and wellbeing. As many services insist that you must fall into a certain catagory for them to offer their service, Making changes welcomes all and persues intergration within comminties making sure that everyone can access what they need to combat isolation, lonlieness, boredem while taking control of their mental heath 🙂
Media Manager
Hi there! I’m Sean, the online media manager for Making Changes NE.
I graduated from university in probably the worst year to do so, 2020. I left with a degree but no graduation. It got me thinking about what is important, and for me, that is human connection. So? Why not take what’s important to me and turn it into a career. That’s why I joined Making Changes NE, to support their vision of combating loneliness and isolation through education and experience. And therefore, building community-based human connections which is so vital to all aspects of sociality.
