Durham Community News March 2024

Durham Community News
March 2024

Did You Know - Village Halls Week 2024

Did you know that as part of the Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) Network, Durham Community Action are encouraging community buildings throughout the county to celebrate Village Halls Week and different ways to ‘go green’?

Village Halls Week is an annual campaign championing the work that trustees of community buildings do to make a difference in their community.

This year the Village Halls Week campaign will place particular emphasis on how community building management committees can make their halls more energy efficient and encourage initiatives that contribute to net zero in their community. Village Halls Week also sees the launch of a brand new ‘Net Zero Design Guide’ to support trustees who want to make their building more energy efficiency and environmentally friendly.

Durham Community Action has been working to support community buildings to make their halls more energy efficient through a variety of projects. The Community Spaces Project and the Community Building Energy Efficiency Grants have enabled DCA to provide practical support to trustees to look at their organisations as a whole, including their governance and leasehold/freehold arrangements to make sure they are ready for those bigger capital funding bids. Trustees have also had access to energy audits so that they can see where they need to improve their buildings through insulation, new windows, or bigger projects such as solar panels and heating systems.

In addition to the support for capital projects we also offer training to help ‘Make Small Steps to a Greener Organisation’. During this session, staff and trustees get together to talk about the small things they do to be more sustainable such as setting up a water butt or taking part in ‘No Mow May’. This workshop is ideal for those organisations who want to do more to help the environment but don’t know where to start.

Durham Community Action supports staff and trustees of community buildings to help each other through our various network meetings including the Share and Learn Community Buildings Network and the Community Growing and Good Food Network where trustees and staff can get together to talk about opportunities, challenges and share knowledge around ‘Going Green.’

If you are interested to learn more about how your organisation can ‘Go Green,’ whatever stage you are at on your journey, please do get in touch by emailing info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

Wellbeing for Life sucessfully achieves County Durham Volunteer Kitemark for the third time

Achievement of the County Durham Volunteering Kitemark demonstrates that Wellbeing for Life meets standards to overcome barriers to volunteering and recognises the value of recruiting and retaining volunteers.

The Kitemark shows an organisation that manages a volunteering programme where volunteers receive a high quality, positive volunteering experience and it will support volunteers to make informed choices when they apply to volunteer.

Abby Thompson, Volunteering Development Manager said:

"Durham Community Action were delighted to present Wellbeing for Life with the County Durham Volunteer Kitemark award through re-assessment for the third time. Volunteers played an active role in giving their views as part of the Kitemark assessment process and commented on the training available and the opportunities for personal development. They also felt that they were able to contribute and shape the services that were provided."

When asked why they volunteered with Wellbeing for Life, the volunteers answered:

‘I believe we do really help people and make a difference. It is good for myself; my family and friends have noticed a difference in me’.

‘I enjoy the variety of activities that I support with and always enjoy trying new things.”

Bill Oxborough, Capacity Building Volunteer Officer at Wellbeing for Life said:

“People choose to volunteer for different reasons some want to give back to a community that has supported them, some may want to improve their CV or access additional training, for others it can be a way to reduce social isolation. We value our volunteers greatly for their time and dedication so to make their volunteering experience the best it can be, we work hard to make sure that they get back what they need from the process.”

Wellbeing for Life is delivered in partnership by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) and the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP). Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) supports people to make choices that benefit their health and wellbeing, such as being more active and improvng mental wellbeing.

Wellbeing Practitioners can work with clients on a 1-2-1 or group support basis over eight to twelve sessions to set a health plan, which will include small achievable goals.

There are many and varied volunteer roles across County Durham with Wellbeing for Life and if you are interested then please do visit the website to find out further information.

Photo: Liz Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive Pioneering Care Partnership; Bill Oxbrough, Capacity Building Volunteer Officer, Wellbeing for Life and Abby Thompson, Volunteering Development Manager, Durham Community Action.

Village Halls Week Podcast

We have recorded a podcast to mark Village Halls Week which this year is celebrating everything village halls can do to 'go green.'

In this podcast, we speak to Auckland Youth and Community Centre about their recent Investors in the Environment bronze accreditation and Croxdale Community Association about the impact of their community garden.

Listen here

Update on the Switch to Digital Telephone Services

Telecoms companies are replacing the technology they use to provide landline telephone services. The change to digital services has already started and most customers are expected to be upgraded by the end of 2025.

Why is this happening?

Analogue networks have been in operation for decades and have reached the end of their serviceable life.

New digital phone lines will allow providers to offer improved quality phone calls and many new features.

How will I be affected?

For most people this change will be straightforward. Your provider will contact you when your landline is due to be upgraded and advise what you need to do. You do not need to do anything until then.

Find out what you, your family and neighbours need to do to be ready here Any questions about how these changes might affect you should be directed to your service provider for any telephone, broadband and telecare services you subscribe to.

Vulnerable Customers and Telecare Users

If you believe someone you know, including people using your organisation's services, is a vulnerable customer or depends on a landline, they should notify the telephone provider who can offer additional support.

They should also contact your Telecare provider ahead of any change to your telephone service as it may affect your equipment.

Durham County Council Care Connect customers can find more information here or by calling 03000 262 195.

BT Customers

BT are hosting a series of Digital Voice events in towns across the county in June. Their team will be on hand to offer support to their customers on the change to digital landline services. Find out more here or call 0330 1234 150.

Let's Get Digital, Durham

Digital Unite are offering free membership of the Digital Champions Network and project support for community-based organisations in County Durham.

Let's Get Digital, Durham is a project to help local people get the digital skills they need for everyday life. These skills are essential for almost everything now, from applying for jobs and benefits to paying for parking - but more than a third of us have "low" or "very low" digital skills.

The most effective and sustainable way to help people get these skills is via organisations they already know and trust. So Digital Unite are offering training and support for five local organisations for a year, to turn their staff or volunteers into confident skilled Digital Champions who can then help others with digital skills.

Find out more

State of the North 2024: Charting the course for a decade of renewal

The State of the North report assesses the current course and proposes five priority areas for a decade of renewal.

They envision a future where the North’s regions stand equally among others offering opportunities for all to thrive within a healthy, prosperous, and equal country. They call for transformative action, to look forward, and realise the full potential of our regions.

Read the report

Community Growing Food Network: February Reflections

Community Growing and Food Network Feb reflections graphic

Our February online network session welcomed Debbie from Little Sprouts and Amber from Ushaw Moor Community Garden to talk about the projects they are involved with, who they help and the difference they make!

You can find out more about the network here or join the Facebook group here

Virtual Funding Information Sessions

Our virtual funding information sessions for representatives of voluntary and community groups across County Durham are taking place until June.

Forthcoming funders include County Durham Community Foundation, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Clothworkers Foundation, Believe Housing, Key Fund, Sir James Knott Trust and Lloyds Bank Foundation.

Information will be given on the various funds they have available, how to apply and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Find out more

VCSE NEMCA Hustings Event 18th April

What does the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) Devolution Deal mean for the North East, and what will the newly elected NEMCA mayor prioritise within the region?

Ahead of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority elections in May 2024, we're excited to invite you to a Hustings event with mayoral candidates:

Kim McGuiness - Labour Party
Jamie Driscoll - Independent Party
Andrew Grey - Green Party
Guy Renner-Thompson - Conservative
Aiden King - Liberal Democrats
Paul Donaghy - UK Reform

Chaired by Sir Paul Ennals CBE, President of VONNE, candidates will have the opportunity to ‘set out their stall’ and respond to the recently launched VCSE Inclusive Economy Manifesto. There’ll also be a Q&A that attendees can pre-submit questions for when they register.

This is a unique opportunity to hear the mayoral candidates set their stall with specific reference to the VCSE sector. VONNE and the seven Local Infrastructure Organisations within the NEMCA area (including Durham Community Action) have collaborated and will present an ask to the candidates to ensure the North East VCSE sector is supported, consulted and invited to engage in meaningful conversations within NEMCA Strategic and Policy work.

Candidates will also have the opportunity to respond to the recently launched VCSE Inclusive Economy Manifesto, which outlines a number of priority areas to build an inclusive economy for the region.

Many thanks to Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for their support in this event.

Register for a place

Save the Date: Community Growing and Food Network - Biodiversity and Climate Friendly Growing 29th April

The next meeting of this network will be in person on Thursday 29^th April from 10.00am - 1.00pm at Wharton Park in Durham. This is a joint Community Growing and Food Network and Food Durham event.

Come and learn from Howard Leslie how we can produce food that is good for biodiversity and climate-friendly, discover the work being done by Wharton Park and the Volunteers at Friends of Wharton Park Community Garden and have a go at some simple ideas to encourage wildlife that you can take back to your community gardens and allotments.

Refreshments and lunch provided.

Look out for further details coming soon and keep up tp date by joining our Facebook group.

Good to Grow Week 22nd - 29th April

Sign up for Good to Grow Week 2024

Sustain has launched their annual Good to Grow Week which will run from Monday 22nd – Monday 29th April.

This is a great opportunity for gardens to open their doors to the public and volunteers, show off their beautiful spaces and celebrate the new growing season with activities and events during the week.

Sustain would love to hear all about the events and activities you have planned for Good to Grow Day. Please email Good to Grow and tell them all about them, and include some fun pictures and videos so they can promote your event! Don’t forget to leave them your Twitter and Instagram handles and your Facebook page name.

If wou would like some help on how to promote your event, you can attend Sustain's ‘Promoting your Good to Grow event’ webinar on Tuesday 26^th March from 1.00- 2.00pm.

For more information, please contact lily@sustainweb.org

Find out more

DCA Community Development Workshops

Join us for our fully funded workshops taking place throughout March and April:

26th March: Health and Safety for Trustees
27th March: Introduction to Safeguarding
16th April: Understanding Trustee Responsibilities
23rd April: Understanding Safeguarding
25th April: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
30th April: Volunteer Boundaries

All workshops take place online; you can find full details on our website.

Visit our Training and Events page

Lloyds Bank Foundation Racial Equity Programme opening 27th March

This programme is for small local charities and CICs which are led by and working with people who are experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity.

Under this programme they will support charities to strengthen their capacity and capabilities and become more resilient through a range of tailored development support offers alongside an unrestricted grant of £75,000 over three years.

You can learn more about this programme including the eligibility and prioritising criteria and more on the website. You can also complete a short eligibility quiz to see whether your charity meets the initial eligibility criteria.

There will be a webinar and Q&A on 24 April to talk through this programme. Register for this webinar here.

Find out more about the programme

Durham County Council:
Current Consultations

Young Health Champions Programme

Durham County Council Public Health would like to seek your views on the development of a new Young Health Champions programme for County Durham.

The programme would seek to recruit young people in County Durham as volunteer champions.

Young Health Champion Stakeholder Survey

Closing Date: 25th March

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Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document (Stage Two)

We want your views on the second draft of the County Durham Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to ensure solar development takes place in suitable locations and is well designed.

Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document consultation (stage two)

Closing Date: 7th April

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Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (Stage Two)

We want your views on the second draft of the Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides guidance on a range of housing to meet the needs of our communities including for older people, students, first time buyers amongst others.

Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document consultation (stage two)

Closing Date: 7th April

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Cosultation on making County Durham a safer place 2024 - 2029

Durham County Council want your views on how they intend to keep County Durham a safe place to live, work and visit.

Consultation on making County Durham a safer place 2024-2029

Closing Date: 14th April

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Local Nature Recovery Strategy for County Durham

If you are passionate about nature and want to protect it for future generations, please get involved - we'd love to hear from you.

Help us develop our Local Nature Recovery Strategy for County Durham

Closing Date: 16th April

Statement of Licensing Policy

Have your say on the review of our Statement of Licensing Policy, which we must legally update at least every five years.

Consultation on our Statement of Licensing Policy

Closing Date: 3rd May

Stanley Board School Site Consultation: Crafting a Vision for Tomorrow

Karbon Homes are currently consulting on options for the Stanley Board School site and have launched a community consultation about these options.

Thyey would like to hear from the community, public, private and third sector partners on what they would like to see happen with this site.

Karbon Homes has a new digital platform that the community of Stanley can use to record and share their ideas. You can access the platform here: https://stanley.placechangers.co.uk/s/383

Please add your thoughts to be in with a chance to WIN one of 2 £50 High Street vouchers.

Closing Date: 31st March

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