We engage with and enable local people to build social capital and improve their resident wellbeing. We provide health, welfare support and employability services that respond to expressed local need.
Making Hendon a place of opportunity to live, work and thrive
Back on the Map is a place-based economic regeneration charity based in Hendon, Sunderland.
Our mission is to make Hendon a place of opportunity to live, work and thrive. We provide the support people need to build confidence, resilience, skills and social capital to make a positive change to their lives.
Through capital investment and regeneration, community services and activities, we are working together to create a better place, a stronger community and a local voice.
Through capital investment and regeneration, community services and activities, we are working together to create a better place, a stronger community and a local voice.
Making a stronger community
Creating a local voice
We create opportunities for local people to identify, voice local priorities then work together as communities to improve their environment and shape service delivery.
Building a better place
We invest in the local housing market, developing a mixed property portfolio to provide quality residential accommodation and improve the physical amenities in the area.
Who we are
Our community lives in Hendon ward, Sunderland, one of England’s most 10% deprived areas.
Hendon faces a myriad of deeply ingrained structural, social, and economic challenges including; higher levels of child poverty, multigenerational unemployment, health inequalities like poor mental health, cancer and diabetes, lack of social housing and antisocial behaviour.
Despite these challenges there is still a strong, proud community who need our support!
We are a grassroots community organisation who have spent 15 years building the foundations of what makes a community thrive and flourish; community services and activities, support for young people, parks, gardens and greenspaces, affordable housing, a quality high street, timely health care and advice and support.
What we do
Community
Back on the Map provides a diverse and inclusive programme of community activities for the community of Hendon.
All our activities are designed with the input of local people, with a purposeful, holistic approach that helps people access a range of services to suit a range of needs; from taking part in recreational and social activities, to finding practical support, guidance and advice.
We offer a range of activities for:
- Young people
- Families with young children
- Adults
What we do
Environment
Back on the Map have a dedicated environmental programme called Hendon ECO (Environmental Community Opportunities).
This education programme is led by residents and gives them the tools to change and improve their community.
The project encompasses greening up the high street, staff and volunteer street ranger work, educational activities, teaching and learning sessions around food production and usage, volunteer coordination and training.
We work in partnership with other like minded organisations and those who wish to share space at our Urban Garden and starter growing beds in Barley Mow park.
Kindly Funded by National Lottery Community Fund
What we do
Youth
Back on the Map have a dedicated Youth Hub and programme of activities for young people in and around Hendon.
Youth-led engagement is crucial in our community, so the programme is created with the help and guidance of young people to ensure we are providing them with the activities and services that they need and want.
Our aim is to foster enterprise and aspiration by example to ensure young people in our community are seen, heard and provided with meaningful experiences and opportunities.
We have a partnership approach to delivery and we work with a collective of local delivery organisations to provide a diverse weekly programme that includes; sport, music, drama, employability and life skills support and social clubs.
What we do
Homes
Hendon Homes is providing better places to live in Hendon. We are a housing provider managing over 130 homes.
Back on the Map purchase and transform neglected properties into quality affordable rented homes.
We also revitalise empty buildings for community and commercial use, including our newly launched Villette Road development which is home to some brilliant independent businesses, go give them a visit!
By improving Hendon’s physical and social landscape, enriching local amenities, creating safer public spaces, and supporting sustainable projects we can uplift the community’s well-being and life chances.
What we do
Health
Our community told us they needed more timely healthcare services that are closer to their homes.
32% of people find it difficult to get the healthcare they need in Hendon and 48% find it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
So, we bought the former Ashburn Health Centre on Toward Road and we’re transforming it into Hendon Health Hub to bring healthcare services back to Hendon and create a healthier, happier Hendon.
The will hub offer a holistic solution to community healthcare that empowers people in Hendon and the surrounding areas to improve their lives, health, wellbeing and knowledge.
Stay tuned for more info as we complete the refurbishment throughout 2026.
Our Team
Lesley Deneven
Enterprises & Business Manager
Pat Johnston
Community Services Manager
Nadine Lucas
Volunteer Manager
Gavin Willis
Youth Hub Coordinator
Alex Richings
ECO Project Coordinator
Our trustees
Julie Gray
Chairperson
Eddy Moore
Placeholder Image
Bina Begum
Trustee
Jemma Brunniche
Trustee
Keri Bethell
Trustee
Peter Harrison
Trustee
Phil Ewing
Trustee
Giles McCourt
Trustee
Jim Pace
Trustee
Charlotte Fox
Trustee
Tracy Lynch
Trustee
Mickey Devine
Trustee
Michael Smith
Chair – F&GP Committee
Paul Mullis
Trustee
Steve Simpson
Chair – Enterprises
Tina Lowes
Chair – Hendon Homes
Victoria Cole
Trustee
Jamie Wright
Trustee
Become a volunteer
Back on the Map has over 50 active volunteers in a range of roles.
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Some of the benefits our volunteers reported include:
- Sense of achievement and/or purpose
- Increased confidence and resilience
- New skills learned
- Increased wellbeing
- Feeling part of a community
