The organisation began in 1996 as a small furniture-recycling outlet staffed by 4 volunteers and set up by a small community church called South Shields Christian Fellowship. The shop was called the Olive Branch and sought to provide work experience while providing a much needed service to the local community.

As the project began to attract external financial support, it developed a number of practical services delivered to vulnerable people in the local community and began to employ staff. The organisation changed name to Cleadon Community Project and became a respected provider of services to people throughout the Borough of South Tyneside.

In 2000, the organisation moved premises to 3 Robinson Street in South Shields. It became known as Community Regeneration Trust North East.

Community Regeneration Trust North East is now a company limited by guarantee (incorporated on 29th February, 2000) with charitable objects and over 100 volunteers who have been registered through the Trust's regeneration programmes.

The Trust believes that long term sustainable regeneration can only be achieved by first supporting and regenerating the individual.