Vonni Hardman

Vonni wears many hats, including National Education Union Northern Regional Chair and Durham Joint District Secretary and Equities Officer, National Women’s Action for Positive Change Chair, ATOMS Education CIC Director, a director at Consett Heart Heritage and Arts Centre CIC, and Creative Community Activist for No More Nowt.

She describes herself as “a gay woman who has grown up in the Durham Coalfield, the granddaughter of a miner, and a wife and a mother.  My family has a legacy of strong women who have brought me up to be a strong woman.” She has dedicated her professional career to putting communities first and building a strong sense of place.

She is a trade unionist, working to support the education sector in Durham through the National Education Union. In addition to this, Vonni works tirelessly for local communities coordinating grassroots work through the charities and organisations she supports including ATOMS Education, Consett Heart Heritage and Arts Centre, and No More Nowt. “The work that I do which cuts across my intersectional identity as a gay working-class woman is always the most meaningful. Whatever I am doing I ensure equality and equity are at the heart of my practice”.

Vonni blends her creative skills and talent as an educator with her community work. She founded ATOMS Education CIC, an all women team of educational professionals who put Arts at the heart of STEAM education. In 2024, the ATOMS team wrote, produced, directed, and performed a science show at the Durham Fringe Festival. Vonni is also one of the directors at the volunteer run heritage and arts centre Consett Heart, a dedicated local space for community activity, exhibitions, and much more.

She sees her work with National Women Against Pit Closures, recently renamed National Women’s Action for Positive Change, as one of the most important projects she is involved with. “I’m determined that our young women learn from the incredible women of the 1984 to ‘85 strike and their subsequent achievements, and that they are inspired and empowered by them. I am thrilled to be part of our legacy organisation”.

Vonni’s wish for young women is that they can be confident changemakers who understand and work towards achieving their potential. Women who want to make their communities a better place. “Ultimately, if the next generation of women were the ones to truly smash the patriarchy I would be extremely happy!”

ATOMS Education CIC: www.atomeseducationcic.org

Consett Heart Heritage and Arts Centre: www.consettheart.co.uk