During Volunteers’ Week I am taking the opportunity to thank members of our community who give up their time to help make Houghton and Sunderland South a better place to live.

I visited the The Old Rectory in Houghton and met with Kate Welch to discuss their exciting plans for the future, meet local volunteers, and help out with the gardening group’s beautiful work. Acumen Community Buildings have brought The Old Rectory back into community use, regenerating a heritage sight and working to promote social entrepreneurship in our area. If you’d like to find out more about the work going on at The Old Rectory and get involved, visit: www.facebook.com/TheOldRectoryHoughtonleSpring/.