Alison Paterson

Manager at Blackhall Community Centre

What do you do?

I was born and raised in Blackhall and have worked here for 20 years. I’m a mother of 2 independent young ladies. I lived in London for a few years and gained my independence and knowledge of other ways of life. I love line dancing and all things country. I have built my own camper van and spend a lot of time away travelling with my little dogs. 

How are you involved in this area of science? 

Blackhall Community Centre is a hub for the community and a lifeline for many people. I have a passionate drive to build inclusive communities and I have enabled services and resources to be delivered in my community which has been poorly served in the past. I have always led this work in an inclusive way, through sharing my commitment and a deep compassion for those I serve. 

I lead this with warmth and humour (and an array of hats!). Always an innovator, I have built unusual partnerships with Universities, Museum Associations, local councils and many local cultural and arts organisations, leading to unique opportunities for local residents. 

Our partnership with Durham University has led to the award-winning Street Museum and Street cosmos projects. These projects are collaborations that bring the cutting-edge research that happens right here in County Durham into our community, with creativity, curiosity and community at the heart. 

What do you love about this topic?

I love to see the wonderment of the faces of the kids (and indeed the adults) when we (Durham University and Blackhall Community Centre) work together to produce award-winning projects like Street cosmos. The realisation that the little kids in Blackhall can and should engage with academics from Durham Uni - that they are good enough. And the randomness of the added value – like a little boy who made a space suit with us. He kept it and went to school the following month as an astronaut for World Book Day. 

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

The impact has meant that local kids – 3rd generation of ex-miners and a life time of apathy  – mean they see an opportunity to get out and do stuff, that they have the right to be involved and contribute, that there are people like them doing these jobs and studying these things, that they have opportunities within and beyond their community, and that they can make positive things happen for themselves – community engagement is key to spreading these messages. 

Find out more:

• Find out about the latest news and events at the Blackhall Community Centre
• Learn more about the Street Cosmos project