As a project hub – Open House at Dundas House, inside Dundas Shopping Centre aims to create a safe space and opportunities for people to come together, volunteer their time and improve their wellbeing through social activities including heritage and creativity. Weekly activities offer friendship, hospitality and participation in the arts in the town centre, whilst connecting to creative placemaking activities and events. These follow on from Navigator North’s WE SHALL BE creative interventions in Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter, funded through Arts Council England.
Based on the ground floor of Dundas House – Navigator North’s HQ since 2011, our volunteer supported space is open every Saturday to the end of March 2026 to take a break, chat with others and take part in programme activities.
Current funding runs to March 2026 and builds on the Know Your Neighbourhood funded – Make It More Middlesbrough programme here.
Community Action and Creative Interventions
A Creative Community Action Day in February 2026, prepared Bridge Street West for the arrival of new artworks featured on the benches outside Middlesbrough Railway Station (images below). These were developed through artist led sessions with local groups and inspired by heritage stories from the area, including from the former Club Bongo nightclub. Activities included journey mapping, walks, photography sessions, zine making and more.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “It was a pleasure to go along and support the day of action. It was great to see so many people take part and I want to thank everyone who gave up their time. The programme shows what a creative place Middlesbrough is – it’s bringing life, colour and culture to a part of town that’s really on the up.”
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director for TransPennine Express, said: “Middlesbrough station is an important gateway to the town and often the first thing visitors see when they arrive. We’re proud to support the clean-up and creative improvements in the area around the station. By working with Navigator North, we’re helping to make the space more welcoming and attractive for everyone, while encouraging a real sense of pride in the community.”
Photographs above by Ayodeji Faturoti
Ellen Harrison, Historic England Participation and Learning Director, said: “It was great to see such positive, practical action take place to not only improve the physical appearance of the area, but to build community cohesion. This is the type of action day we see at the heart of the Know Your Neighbourhood project with volunteers connecting to protect and bring life to Middlesbrough’s historic environment.”
Open House is funded by Historic England, through the UK Government’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund – this project aims to support people into volunteering, building connections with others, and to engage with the historic environment.
