As demand for vital community services continues to grow, a County Durham charity and North East HR consultancy are highlighting what it takes behind the scenes to make that growth possible.

Founded in 2018 by CEO Clair McGregor, Bishop Auckland-based Angel Trust supports people in need across County Durham through crisis counselling, emergency accommodation, food support and donations of essential goods.

The charity has expanded as demand has increased. Its Community Pantry welcomes hundreds of customers each day, while profits from the Beehive Coffee Shop helped around 1,100 local people access foodbanks, counselling and housing support in its first year.

As Angel Trust has grown to around 25 employees and expanded its services, it has worked closely with Darlington-based HR consultancy HR2day to keep its people practices and structure fit for purpose. Their relationship spans several years, with HR consultant Aiden Taylor providing clear, practical advice on changing employment requirements and organisational development.

Over the past three months, Aiden has also supported the charity as it recruited and onboarded two new apprentices. The appointments bring fresh talent into the organisation while creating opportunities for people to build skills within a charity delivering direct community impact. HR2day has guided managers through the process, helping to put clear expectations, appropriate support and a strong foundation for development in place from the outset.

Clair McGregor, CEO of Angel Trust, said: “Our community’s needs are constantly changing, and we have had to grow and adapt with them. We are proud of how Angel Trust has developed, but growth also means making sure the organisation behind our services remains strong.”

“Having HR2day alongside us has given us professional support from a team that knows our organisation and understands what we are trying to achieve. That has been invaluable when making decisions about our structure and our people.

HR2day supports organisations across the North East with employee matters, organisational change, employment law and longer-term people planning. For Angel Trust, that blend of practical advice and sound legal guidance has helped underpin continued expansion.

HR2day managing director Nicky Jolley said Angel Trust’s experience highlights a challenge often overlooked in the charity sector.

She said: “Growth is usually discussed in a commercial context, but charities face many of the same challenges. Roles evolve, responsibilities change and a structure that worked a few years ago may no longer be right.

“Angel Trust has developed enormously in response to community need. Our role is to make sure the people side of that growth keeps pace.

“Organisational change affects real people, so every decision must be carefully considered, clearly communicated and handled fairly.”

Angel Trust’s services include its Community Pantry, foodbank, counselling support, Emporium charity store and Beehive Coffee Shop. It also delivers Durham County Council’s commissioned Safe Night Hub in Bishop Auckland, the only facility of its kind in the region. The Hub provides food, warmth, emergency accommodation and practical support for people made homeless following a serious life event, including those fleeing domestic violence. Its two in-house counsellors have supported around 300 clients since April 2025.

Although frontline services are the most visible part of its work, both organisations say strong teams, effective management and a suitable structure are essential to sustaining that support.

That behind-the-scenes resilience is becoming increasingly important as the charity’s reach, workforce and responsibilities grow. Regular HR input gives its leadership team the confidence to respond to new pressures while maintaining clear, consistent processes for employees and volunteers. It also allows managers to focus more of their time on delivering services, knowing that staffing decisions are supported by current advice and considered in the context of Angel Trust’s longer-term ambitions.

Angel Trust’s wider reach is reflected in its annual campaigns, with its 2025 Toy Appeal generating more than 15,000 donated toys for local children in need.

The partnership brings together different areas of expertise with a shared aim of building a resilient organisation behind services making a difference across County Durham.