About Us
Darlington charity tackling isolation in the elderly.
A Short History
The Darlington Town Mission was founded in 1838 by three local businessmen John Backhouse and John Pease (Quakers) and John Hopkins (Anglican). It’s aims were as follows:
- To relieve poverty, sickness, hardship, and distress of those in need in the Borough of Darlington through the provision of practical and material assistance, advice, information and support, and by any other charitable means that the Trustees in their discretion think fit, in order to improve the said beneficiaries quality of life.
- To advance the Christian faith, particularly but not exclusively by holding services of worship where appropriate.
Darlington Town Mission Today
Darlington Town Mission is focused on relieving loneliness and giving practical help mostly to those 80 years of age or over, especially when relatives live far away.
We achieve this by:
- Employing a full-time Missioner and part-time Assistant Missioner.
- Visiting people in their homes, care homes, and in hospitals to offer practical and material assistance, information, and pastoral support. Our clients are referred to as our ‘Friends’.
- Organising monthly group outings to alleviate loneliness with the help of volunteer drivers.
- Arranging community lunches for a small number of ‘Friends’ to build up friendships.
- Holding acts of Christian worship in residential homes with the support of volunteer ministers and local preachers.
- We are fully independent and funded entirely through donations and fundraising activities
- The Mission visits all who request us, regardless of religion, race, age or gender. Our services are free.
