SOME of the members of Gateway into the Community never talk, others never stop.

Some need a lot of support, others make such progress they go on to provide the support.

All life – and fun and achievement - is there behind the walls of the Hexham charity, but it is something of a shrinking violet.

Established very quietly 17 years ago in a modest base within Hexham Community Centre, it caters for more than 200 people who range in age from 13 to 80-plus.

It is now seeking two new trustees and, significantly, the wishlist of skills includes experience of fund-raising and marketing. For they really could do with someone to raise their profile!

Manager Fiona Macdonald said: “We do very well getting grants from foundations and trusts, because we run a broad range of activities that appeal to a lot of different funders.

“But we had David Saint of Action Planning with us for a few days last year, doing a review paid for by the Henry Smith Charity, and following his recommendations, we’ve done a skills audit and we’re looking at our fund-raising strategy.

“He said after he’d done a series of interviews ‘people really believe in you – you are trusted and you should be turning that into opportunities to raise money, so you can carry on doing what you do.’”

The charity’s mission is to improve the lives of people with learning difficulties, and particularly those who are not in receipt of any form of statutory provision.

In other words, it is the safety net for people who might otherwise drop through the cracks into isolation and loneliness.

There are social nights each week for three adult groups and three youth groups, catering for members up to the age of 25, that are veritable hives of activity. Cookery, crafts and chatting over a cup of coffee are key ingredients.

Then there is the perennially-popular choir which generally has 25 to 30 people singing their hearts out each week, and the special interest groups for sport, healthy living and computing.

Oh, and not forgetting the personal and social development and employability courses, accredited by ASDAN, designed to help students venture into the world outside with confidence.

“We are the only organisation in rural West Northumberland which provides a combination of social, leisure and learning opportunities for people with learning disabilities,” said Fiona.

“And because we cater for all ages, from adolescence to old age, our members enjoy long-term continuity of support.”

Besides Fiona, whose full-time post is currently funded by the Henry Smith Charity, there are also 20 part-time staff and 15 volunteer assistants.

Their collective vision is to develop the self-esteem of people with learning disabilities, help them achieve at least a degree of independence and, in the process, change attitudes in the community at large.

The two sports academies – one for men, one for women – established a couple of years ago at the request of the members themselves – are ticking all three boxes.

They are passports to a plethora of opportunities, from taste-testing a new activity to being blessed with some pretty serious coaching by the likes of the Newcastle United Foundation.

The latter ran for 20 weeks at Hexham’s Wentworth Centre, during which time the football coaches suggested the Gateway team that grew out of it should join the Newcastle Development League.

They did and a couple of weekends ago in Newcastle, the Gateway Gladiators scooped the FA People’s Cup at the first regional event of its kind.

Fiona said: “They won the trophy for good sportsmanship, because they showed a strong sense of fair play. They played with a smile on their faces and were kind to the other teams.”

It was a proud moment for one couple in particular, namely Richard and Sharon Castelow, parents of Gateway player Stephen.

Fiona said: “They were thrilled because Richard sponsors their other son Michael’s football team and he never thought he would get the chance to sponsor Stephen like that, but now he does!”

As a result, the team strode out with confidence that weekend, resplendent in black and yellow strips with Castelow Fencing emblazoned across their chests.

The Northumberland Cricket Board sponsors both the men’s and women’s sporting academies at Gateway and so members have enjoyed playing cricket fixtures, hosting cricket teas and, on one very memorable occasion, visiting the Durham Cricket Ground to watch a professional match.

Tynedale Cricket Club, Hexham Badminton Club and Hexham Golf Club are just some of those who have offered unstinting support, too.

Earlier this month, Fiona and chairman of trustees Rosemary Theobalds went to Manchester to collect a Weston Charity Award.

Gateway was one of 12 organisations honoured for the tremendous work they do to support people facing the toughest of challenges.

The award also recognised the ambition of the charities’ plans and the prize was a year’s worth of business mentoring for each to help realise them.

Rosemary said: “We will be going down to London each month for sessions with business advisers who will help us build a new business plan that will move us forward.

“They don’t do the work – they think about us, they advise us and then we go away and do it.”

Further information about and contact details for Gateway into the Community are available on the website at gatewayintothecommunity.co.uk.