West Boldon Environmental Education Centre was established in 1997 and is a partnership project between Groundwork South Tyneside & National Grid, with funding and support coming from both partners. The Centre is based on 12 hectares of National Grid land, which encompasses a wide variety of habitats.

Some 4,000 children visit the site each year to learn about nature, wildlife and the environment and, of course, to have lots of fun. The education facility is used not only by school groups, but also the Scout & Guide Association, local play groups, community groups and youth projects among others.

The Centre has also become a training provider to environmental professionals and teachers and on a more informal basis through its public events. Further and higher education providers in the region also take advantage of the Centre's facilities and expertise.

Away from the West Boldon site, the Centre staff supports many environmental education initiatives in the region such as Eco Schools, Eco Rangers and the Sunderland Environmental Education Forum to name but a few.