Unloved Quaker schoolroom becomes vibrant artistic hub
Darlington Quaker Meeting's old school room lay empty for years until enterprising premises manager Helen Whittington transformed it into a hub of artistic creativity.
Like many Quaker communities around the country, Darlington had foxed for years over what to do with the unused and unloved old school room at the top of its meeting house.
That is until freelance premises manager Helen Whittington came along with a vision to return the space back to a place of creativity and enterprise.
“During the 1800s, there had been a busy Quaker school here," explained Helen. “There were eight classrooms as well as the large school room. By the 1960s however, the school had closed, the classrooms were knocked down and for the last ten years the school room had become pretty redundant."
Helen (a Quaker and the resident Friend at Darlington Meeting House) manages all of Teesdale and Cleveland Area Meeting's commercial properties on Skinnergate in Darlington. These include the Quaker Business Centre (with seven small office spaces), a gallery and gift shop, and a hair salon. When one of the units became available in 2023 Helen asked area meeting trustees if she could convert the space into a community hub.
“It seemed like a great opportunity to do something different with the space, which might benefit the community and also raise our Quaker visibility," said Helen. “Initially we didn't have a clear idea of how it would be used, and we didn't want to take hirers away from our busy meeting house lettings, so it needed to appeal to a different community strand. Within a very short time of opening, it became clear that local artists and makers were desperate for affordable gallery space to exhibit and sell their work and from there we were up and running."
Helen collaborated with Darlington Borough Council who provided a grant for large display boards, and a willing team of community volunteers stepped up to help with redecoration.
Helen next turned her attention to the school room. “It's a large light room with a very high ceiling but it was falling into disrepair due to lack of use. My experience of setting up the hub gave me the idea that perhaps the school room might also be a space that would meet the needs of professional artists."
Within a short period of time four artists moved in, providing them with an affordable work space, and the area meeting with extra income.
Image: The old school room before and after the transformation.
The school room is now the creative hub for Lucas Roy, Lisa Sopekan, Michelle Douglas and Mina Bakhtiari.
“My studio, nestled within the Friends Meeting House building, has become a truly special place for me," said Mina. “It's not just a space to paint - it's where I've found the confidence to stand independently as an artist and begin to be recognised as part of Darlington's creative community. It's given me both quiet inspiration and a sense of belonging."
Image: Helen Whittington outside the newly-refurbished community hub.
If your meeting house has empty space and you'd like to consider some creative uses for it, get in touch with your Local Development Worker who will support you as you navigate the different options.
“All the Local Development Workers I have had interactions with over the years have been hugely helpful and knowledgeable," said Helen. “In my former area meeting, West Weald, we were part of the pilot scheme for LDWs so I was introduced to the concept early on and have grown to depend on their personal support as well as deep wisdom. They have all played vital roles in the area meetings in numerous ways - some very visible and others much more subtle. I am deeply grateful for their willingness to listen, encourage and motivate!"
See the creative work of the artists: