Alison Paterson

For Alison, being a coal miner’s daughter means pride. Working and living in the coalfield communities however can mean being forgotten. In her words, there’s a task in “forever reminding people where this village came from”. She is a woman on a mission to reinvigorate Blackhall village to become the community it was back in the day.

Alison is the Centre Manager at Blackhall Community Centre, a former miners’ welfare hall. The small team of dedicated staff and volunteers work hard to provide the local community with a packed programme of activities, facilities, and opportunities. They work with dance schools, food banks, mental health support groups, and many more. 1,500 people use the Centre each week. To ensure all of this can keep happening and that the doors can stay open, Alison and the team work continually to raise funds.

When asked what her wish was for young women growing up in coalfield areas today, her answer was “for them to understand that question – what is a coalfield community. I want them to be strong and independent and not in a third generation of apathy”.

Blackhall Community Centre: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackhallcommunitycentre/