Craghead Development Trust is based in the former colliery village of Craghead within the Craghead and South Stanley ward of Derwentside in the North of County Durham in the North east of England. All three Super Output Areas (SOA's) of the ward have been categorised as the top 10% most deprived nationally as an average across all domains as a result of the most recent study (2004) concerning the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

The main aim of CDT, therefore, is to provide opportunities for both social and economic regeneration in the area by undertaking the coordination and management of a range of projects, businesses and initiatives that will serve to improve the quality of life for local residents.

CDT is a Company Limited by guarantee (registration number 5120656) with charitable status (charity number 1107991), secured on 7th February 2005, and a regional and national member of the Development Trust Association (DTA - F237).

Craghead Area Partnership, for whom the Trust was created, was established in September 1996, and the Trust itself later in November 2002. Bi-monthly Partnership meetings are held on odd months, in which progress reports on the business of the Trust and current topical issues are discussed and views sought.