A community hub is opening in rural Gateshead with the joint aim of tackling poverty and food waste.
'The Bank' in Chopwell is powered by a team determined to bring their village "back to life" and to help those struggling amid the cost of living crisis.
Located at the former site of the Lloyd's bank, the building has been transformed into a pay-as-you-feel cafe, community market and offices for local businesses.
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In 2019, Gateshead Council agreed to lease the worn-down building on Derwent Street to Chopwell Regeneration Group for a 'peppercorn rent', so that the building could be brought back into community use.
The active local group worked hard to secure funds of more than £200,000 to return the building to usable condition.
After a successful refurbishment, the place was handed over to a team of permanent staff members who are dedicated to "helping people of the village get back on their feet".
Local residents Ian Fraser and Jessica Armstrong are managing the site, working with national food waste chairty Fair Share to produce eat-in and take-away meals from food that would otherwise go to waste.
The community market, meanwhile, will act more like a foodbank allowing shoppers to grab groceries at a reduced price.
The bank will also act as a training hub, with courses in things like computer skills, cooking and crafting.
Ian, 43, said: "As a community, we are definitely a victim of our geography. It's a beautiful place, but we are cut-off with limited access to amenities.
"To get to a major supermarket or a job centre, you've got to take quite a long bus. This is a problem given that the price of fuel and travel is continuing to rise, while wages fail to reflect that increase.
"There's a real lack of employment opportunities in the area and even people who are working are finding it increasingly difficult to provide for their families.
"Normal people want to help themselves and sadly there is still a stigma around people reaching out for support, mostly because people feel donations should be going to those worse off.
"But we want to help break that stigma down. I believe the food waste of side of things makes people feel more comfortable, because they are helping the environment at the same time.
"People are encouraged to pay what they can at the given time. If it's a hard month, they pay less, if they are doing better, they might pay over the odds."
The team has already won an award despite not opening fully until March 3 - achieving first place in the ‘making healthier and happier places and spaces’ category in the Bright Ideas in Health 2021 competition.
Ian said 'The Bank' project "wouldn't be possible" without the support of local volunteers who headed down to help paint and organise, or the staff from Newcastle's Big River Bakery, who offered them free consultation on the venture.
He added: "It's a great project to be part of and complements the work of places like Chopwell community centre, who do great work in the village."
The cafe and market will initially open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am-6pm, while training and events will take place across the week.
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