In 2026, we’re proud to be celebrating 20 years of Hextol.
For two decades, we’ve been supporting people with learning differences and mental health needs to build confidence, develop skills and feel part of their community.
Founded in 2006, we’ve grown from a single fortnightly work placement shift into a vital local organisation, offering inclusive work experience, training and social opportunities across the Tyne Valley and beyond.
Since delivering our first placement in 2007, we’ve supported hundreds of individuals through structured, real-world opportunities in safe and supportive environments. During our 20th year, we expect to reach 150,000 supported volunteer hours - a milestone that reflects the scale and consistency of our work over two decades.
Today, we support around 125 people each year, with approximately 70 individuals participating in placements at any one time and more than 13,000 hours of supported work experience delivered annually.
Our work takes place across a range of social enterprise settings, including gardening, catering, warehouse services and our town-centre café, The Hextol Tans. These placements give people the opportunity to learn by doing, develop practical skills and build lasting social connections.
Throughout our 20th anniversary year, we’ll be sharing stories from across our history, celebrating the people, partnerships and achievements that have shaped Hextol.
To mark this milestone and look to the future, we’ll also be launching Friends of Hextol, a new scheme offering supporters a simple way to give regularly and help sustain our work for years to come.
We’d love individuals, community groups and local businesses to be part of our anniversary year, whether by supporting our fundraising, attending events or helping to raise awareness of what we do.
Get involved
To find out more or get involved, please get in touch at:
📧 contact@hextol.org.uk
