Tickets - Redhills Durham

Learning and Democracy: Community and Trade Union Education
2026-04-17 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Redhills Durham Miners Hall, The Miners Hall, Flass St, Durham, DH1 4BE, United Kingdom
Our DEMOCRACY under threat?
Whatever happened to Community Education or Life Long Learning?
Who controls Learning now?
How can adult education strengthen democracy?

A major North East conference with guest speakers and the chance to share ideas for adult education for a democratic society

Speakers and panel members:
Dr Sharon Clancy, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham
Jim Sutherland, former head of learning at NUPE and UNISON
Liz Blackshaw, former TUC Northern Region Secretary and global TU campaigner
Gavin McCann, UNISON Learning and Development Organiser, East Midlands
The conference will be highly interactive, with opportunities to ask questions and join in group discussions to share ideas. The main topics for the speakers and the conference will be how adult education can increase community cohesion, encourage critical thinking and develop the confidence and skills to participate fully in democracy . Ideas generated will be used in ongoing campaigning to widen and improve adult education.
The conference is organised by Never Stop Learning, a voluntary group of community and Trade Union adult education advocates, based in the North East of England. Their latest publication, on the positive impact of Trade Union education, will be launched at the conference.
A light buffet lunch will be provided.
There will be a guided tour of Redhills after lunch
This conference and the new publication have been supported by the Lipman Miliband Trust and the Raymond Williams Foundation.
To reserve a spot, Click Here

21st Century Social Clubs: Annual Conference 2026
2026-09-10 10:00 - 17:00
Join us on 10th September 2026 at Redhills Durham for 21st Century Social Clubs Annual Conference!
Following last year’s success we’re really excited to announce that 2026’s event will take place on Thursday 10th September at Redhills Durham. Originally known as Durham Miners’ Hall, it has recently reopened after a £14m renovation, and the beautifully restored “Pitman’s Parliament” will be the main space for our mid-week conference.
This year’s event will build on the progress from last year, including new research, meeting government ministers and visiting No.10, launching a new report calling for a 21st Century Social Club Charter, recognition in the Government’s £5bn Pride in Place strategy, and our national crowdfunding campaign.
If you’re interested in revitalising the legacy and relevance of social clubs across Britain, book your place to join club members, policymakers, charities, and funders to explore how existing and new social clubs can address today’s pressing social and economic challenges.
Book your place

DEI Energy Day 2026 - Safe and Sound: Energy Security, Innovation and Communities
2026-11-05 09:00 - 17:00
Durham Energy Institute’s annual Energy Day brings together leading voices from academia, industry, policy and communities to explore how energy shapes societies, economies and environments in the North East and around the world.
Hosted by Durham Energy Institute at Durham University, this year’s annual Energy Day conference will focus on energy security in the current era of geopolitical shocks, rising energy demand and accelerating climate impacts. We draw on Durham’s world‑leading expertise in inclusive energy transitions, energy systems research, offshore wind, geothermal energy, hydrogen, and marine energy systems. The conference will examine how to adapt our energy systems to be resilient, just and locally rooted while contributing to national and global energy security goals.
The conference will build on the success of Energy Days 2025 at Redhills which showcased inclusive innovation, intergenerational dialogue and the North East’s leadership in clean energy transitions. The event will feature keynote talks, research showcases and interactive sessions with partners from government, business and civil society. Participants will explore practical pathways to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, cut emissions, tackle fuel poverty and ensure that no community is left behind in the shift to a more secure energy future.
