Northern Heartlands creates performances, activities and events that change how people feel about themselves, the places where they live, and what happens there. The organisation works with people living across County Durham, from the deep-rural areas of Teesdale and Weardale, to the post-industrial towns and villages of the former Durham coalfield.

Projects include health and wellbeing activities to support people living with poor mental health (including social prescribing), a town-wide community heritage project, and a partnership project protecting endangered plants in Teesdale.

Northern Heartlands also plays a strategic role facilitating better communication and networking between the arts and non-arts sectors, and helping partner organisations improve their engagement with people in communities.