18/08/2026
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS GARY! 🎉
Everyone at Active Tees Valley would like to congratulate one of our Directors, Gary Hamilton, on his appointment as Co-Chair of the Pride in Place programme, alongside Charlotte Dinsdale from Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. 👏
This is a fantastic opportunity for Park End, Thorntree and the wider TS3 community, with £40 million of investment set to come into the area over the next 10 years.
Those who know Gary will know just how passionate he is about making a difference. ❤️
Over the years, Gary has been one of the driving forces behind Active Tees Valley, constantly pushing to create opportunities, bring facilities back into use and make positive changes within our communities.
There have been plenty of difficult and challenging times along the way, but Gary has always remained positive, kept moving forward and continued striving to make things better for local people. 💪
We know how much our communities mean to him, and we’re incredibly proud to see that commitment recognised with this appointment.
We’re sure that, working alongside Charlotte and the new Neighbourhood Board members, Gary will help ensure local voices are heard and that this investment delivers the positive changes our communities need and deserve. 🙌
Congratulations from everyone at Active Tees Valley, Gary! 👏💙
A fantastic opportunity to help make a real difference to the future of our communities.
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£40m TS3 project moves forward as residents urged to apply for roles
Two influential leaders with a track record of improving lives in Middlesbrough have been named co-chairs of a £40m regeneration programme.
Charlotte Dinsdale and Gary Hamilton have been appointed to oversee major new commitments to Park End and Thorntree.
Both areas will each see £20m of investment over the next 10 years as part of the government’s Pride in Place agenda.
Ms Dinsdale, the chief executive officer of Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, and Mr Hamilton, a community leader with a background in local sport and youth work, were appointed following a competitive process.
They will now recruit a total of 12 local board members, six for each area, to help them lead plans for how to make best use of the investment.
Charlotte Dinsdale has more than a decade of experience across two stints at the football club’s charity arm and has a deep understanding of how health, wellbeing, education, social connection and community cohesion can transform lives.
She said: “By bringing together the most committed organisations, community groups and individuals we can make a real difference and have a positive impact on people’s lives.
“The MFC Foundation exists to inspire confidence and inspire hope. The foundation is rooted in the area. Our new headquarters at the Southlands Community and Sports Hub will be a real asset to East Middlesbrough and I’m excited for what the Pride in Place programme can achieve.
“Gary and I are determined to deliver for local people and I’m confident we will welcome others to the boards that will help us do just that.”
Gary Hamilton has lived in TS3 all his life, previously established Active Tees Valley and currently works for leisure operator Everyone Active. He has been involved in dozens of community projects including bringing buildings back into use and creating opportunities for young people.
He said: “I’ve never been shy of rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in to help the people of my local area.
“The money coming our way gives us a proper chance to put projects together that can help boost Park End, Thorntree and the surrounding estates.
“I’m excited to work with Charlotte to make sure we make the most of this opportunity and I would urge local people to put themselves forward and get involved.”
Neighbourhood Boards for both areas will be supported by Middlesbrough Council, councillors and the town’s MPs, but the boards and local communities will decide what to prioritise.
The funding from government can be spent on issues including housing, education, employment, health and wellbeing, transport and safety.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
People interested in helping to shape the future of Park End or Thorntree can submit a simple application.
Anyone who lives or runs a business in the areas, as well as those who are active in the communities, can apply.
The co-chairs will select candidates for short, informal interviews before board members are chosen.
It’s expected selected board members would attend formal meetings alongside other events in their local area.
Travel expenses would be covered and although the Pride in Place programme is stated to last 10 years, that length of commitment isn’t required of all board members.
Anyone interested should email their name and full address to [email protected] along with answers to the following questions:
• Why are you passionate about the future of your area (Park End or Thorntree)?
• How would you work alongside other people to make improvements?
• What do you think the most important change your community needs is and why?
Each of the three answers must be no longer than 250 words.
Applications must be received by September 7 2026. All selected applicants will be subject to a full DBS check.
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Pictured are: Charlotte Dinsdale and Gary Hamilton at
the Southlands Community and Sports Hub. Picture: Middlesbrough Council.
