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Durham Community News
October 2024
Did You Know
Did You Know -
Charity and Not for Profit Trading

Did you know charities and not-for-profit organisations can trade to generate income?

Many people think that charities and not-for-profit organisations can only rely on donations and grants to fund their activities. But did you know that they can also trade to generate unrestricted income? Trading can be a great way for charities to diversify their funding streams and become more sustainable.

Trading can involve selling goods or services to the public or businesses, as long as the profits are reinvested back into the organisation to support its charitable purpose. So, how does it work and what do you need to consider if you’re thinking about trading?

What is trading?

In simple terms, trading is the process of selling goods or services for money. For charities, trading activities can fall into two categories:

  1. Primary purpose trading – This is when a charity sells goods or services that directly support its charitable aims. For example, a charity that provides training for young people might charge for those training sessions. Because the income is directly linked to the charity's purpose, this type of trading is allowed and the profits are usually tax-exempt.
  2. Non-Primary purpose trading – This is where a charity sells goods or services that aren’t directly related to its charitable purpose, such as running a café or selling merchandise. The key here is that profits from these activities must still go towards furthering the charity’s mission. However, if non-primary purpose trading grows beyond certain limits, the charity may need to set up a separate trading arm to manage these activities.

How can trading benefit your charity?

Trading offers several benefits for charities and non-profits:

  • Diversified income: Trading can help your organisation reduce its reliance on donations and grants. This creates a more stable and sustainable and unrestricted income stream, especially in times when traditional funding sources might be unpredictable.
  • Public engagement: Selling products or services can raise your charity’s profile and help you engage with new people who may not have heard about your organisation before.
  • Mission delivery: If done strategically, trading can also become a way to deliver your charitable objectives more effectively. For example, by offering paid-for services that align with your core purpose, you can extend your reach and impact.

Practical considerations

If you’re thinking about starting to trade, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • Stay focused on your mission: Any trading activity should complement and support your charity’s goals. You want to make sure that trading enhances your ability to deliver your mission rather than distracting from it.
  • Understand the legal framework: The legal rules around trading can be complex, so it’s important to understand what is allowed and when you might need to set up a trading subsidiary. Setting up a separate trading arm can help protect your charity’s assets and ensure that profits are reinvested properly.
  • Start small and test the waters: If you’re new to trading, consider starting with a small-scale project or a pilot scheme. This will help you gauge interest, test the market and make any necessary adjustments before committing significant resources.

At Durham Community Action, we understand that thinking about trading might feel like a big step, but we’re here to help! We offer guidance and resources for charities and not-for-profits who want to explore new income-generating opportunities. Whether it’s through training workshops, or simply getting advice on how to get started, we’re here to support you.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please email info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

Research and Insight Project Lead
We are recruiting for a Research and Insight Project Lead

We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the DCA Team.

We are recruiting for a Research and Insight Project Lead. This is a new role, intended to build additional capacity for Durham Community Action (DCA) to help us amplify the significant value Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) delivery plays in building and sustaining social capital across County Durham.

The deadline for applications is 12.00noon on Wednesday 13th November. 

Full details and apply for the role 
Keeping You Child Safe in Sport Week
Podcast: Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week 

For Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week 2024 (7th - 13th October), we spoke to Rowena Carr, Sport Welfare Coordinator at County Durham Sport about the importance of creating awareness for child safety in sport.

For more information please visit: 

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/away-from-home/sports-clubs/

https://countydurhamsport.com/safeguarding/

Listen to the podcast here
Welcome Spaces
Welcome Spaces return to County Durham for third year

As temperatures begin to fall, community groups and organisations across County Durham are being invited to apply for financial support to become Welcome Spaces.

Durham County Council are working alongside Point North (formerly County Durham Community Foundation) to offer funding to the voluntary and community sector to create a network of places where people feel safe, warm, and included.
 

Alongside community groups and organisations, the local authority's Family Hubs and thirty nine library buildings will once again join the scheme.

Both Durham County Council and Point North are contributing to the funding, with a combined pot of £330,000 available, including £250,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to support organisations with grants of up to £3,000.

Last year, eighty three groups received funding and an evaluation of the programme suggested the initial aim of helping people to stay well and warm was not the only benefit to come from the scheme. Feedback highlighted that a range of additional support was provided on matters ranging from finance, housing, mental health and wellbeing to drugs and alcohol.

Read the full press release on the Durham County Council website

Organisation wishing to apply for the funding should visit Point North Welcome Spaces 2024

Photo: Durham County Council

Project Updates
Rural Homelessness
Unveiling Hidden Realities: new images of Rural Homelessness

The Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) and the Rural Homelessness Counts Coalition, chaired by English Rural Housing Association, have partnered to create a collection of free, non-stigmatising images of people who are experiencing homelessness in rural areas to help challenge negative stereotypes.

When we think of homelessness, we often think of images of people in cities or urban areas. But that’s largely because rural homelessness can remain hidden, and those experiencing homelessness, isolated. From woodland camps to sofa surfing - rural homelessness can take many forms.

CHI and the Coalition spoke with people who had experienced homelessness in different locations and different forms across the country. People spoke of the challenges of rural homelessness, from inefficient transport links, to a lack of social housing.

The unique experiences reflected in this new collection show the real human faces of homelessness, helping to change the narrative and build empathy.

Rory Weal, Strategic Policy lead at English Rural, and Co-Chair of the Rural Homelessness Counts, coalition said:

"Often our perceptions of homelessness are based less on evidence, than on images and stories. These perceptions lead us to associate homelessness just with cities. But we know far too many people in rural communities are facing the injustice of having no place to call home. That's why we have been pleased to work on this collection, to demonstrate through images and stories that homelessness can happen anywhere. Homelessness is everyone's business, and tackling it requires action across all of our communities."

You can read more and take a look at the image library at the following link: Unveiling Hidden Realities: New Images of Rural Homelessness

DCA's Rural Housing Enabler for County Durham, Susan Tron, is interested to hear from anyone who has been affected by rural housing issues - please email Susan.TronMBE@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk 

Photo: Centre for Homelessness Impact/Jeff Hubbard

County Durham Poverty Truth Commission
County Durham Poverty Truth Commission Blog

What if people who struggled against poverty were involved in making decisions about tackling poverty?

This is a question we are in the process of answering at County Durham Poverty Truth Commission.

The Commission brings together two groups of people – those with lived experience and civic and business leaders (the decision makers) to find creative ways to tackle the underlying issues of poverty.

We don’t yet know what will change but, what we do know, is that good things will happen for individuals, organisations, at policy level and to the way people think about poverty. In the words of The Poverty Truth Network, ‘Nothing about us without us is for us’. 

Our Poverty Truth Commission Project Worker Julie has written a blog on the process so far - read it here

What's On
Trustees Week
Trustees' Week
4th - 8th November

Keep an eye on your inbox next week for our special Trustees' Week ebulletin which will outline our plans for the week and where you can access useful information and resources. 

For more information, please visit the Trustees' Week website

Bank of England
Bank of England Citizens Forum
4th November

As the nation’s central bank, the Bank of England are keen to engage with all members of the public. For this end, they established the Citizens’ Forum to allow people to tell them their experiences of the economy, local job market, pay and the cost of living.  

They are using Talk Money Week to engage with the widest possible cohort, in particular those who may be under-represented in their membership to tell them about their experiences of the UK economy.   

To this end, they would like to invite members of our community to join their forum and to attend their next in-person Citizens’ Panel in Middlesbrough on Monday 4th November between 5.45 and 8.00pm (venue details to follow).

At this free event attendees are encouraged to share their views on the cost of living and the UK economy with senior members of Bank of England staff. The format of the event is a short presentation then two discussion sessions where attendees can share their experiences with Bank representatives. All discussions are anonymous and the headlines of these are fed back to relevant teams within the Bank of England.

They provide a buffet and refreshments and each attendee can claim £25 as a thank you for their time and to cover any travel expenses.

Find out more and join the citizens’ forum via their webpage. Registration for the Middlesbrough event closes on Wednesday 23rd October after which further details and the exact location will be shared.

Social Enterprise Day
North East Social Enterprise Day
21st November

The theme for Social Enterprise Day 2024 is ‘Sustainability: Money, Mindset, and Making a Difference.’ 

There are challenges of building a purpose-driven organisation that lasts, so this year the event is highlighting social entrepreneurs who are thriving.

There will be speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities and market stalls. 

The event takes place on Thursday 21st November from 9.30am - 4.00pm at Newcastle Common Room or you can join online. 

Book your place for North East Social Enterprise Day
VONNE Conference
VONNE Conference and AGM: Devolution and Community Cohesion
28th November

Join VONNE on Thursday 28th November from 9.00am - 1.00pm at the Recovery College Collective in Newcastle for their Conference and AGM, where they will reflect on the events of 2024 and look forward to opportunities for collaborative work in 2025.

This year will focus on two themes:

  • Devolution: What does devolved power mean for the North East, and how can the charity sector be an active participant in shaping our region’s future?
  • Community Cohesion: In the wake of recent unrest, how can the charity sector continue to play a key role in rebuilding and enabling communities, and how can VONNE support at a strategic level to help this work to continue and adapt in the current climate.

This event is a must-attend for anyone involved in the charity and voluntary sector, offering a platform to contribute ideas, engage with regional developments, and strengthen the role of our sector in supporting people and communities.

Book your place for the VONNE Conference and AGM
Community Growing and Food Network
Save the Date
Community Growing and Food Network Meeting

28th November

The next meeting of the network will take place on Thursday 28th November from 2.00 - 3.30pm.

Look out for more information coming soon or to keep up to date with the Community Growing and Food Network join the Facebook group.

Training Spotlights
Durham Community Action Training
Health and Safety for Trustees within the Voluntary Sector
24th October

This online session is aimed at volunteer led organisations and community groups.

It will cover understanding trustees’ responsibilities for health and safety in their organisation, establishing what needs to be included in a policy, understanding basic Health and Safety law and identifying relevant health and safety needs for staff and managers. 

It take place online on Thursday 24th October from 10.00 - 11.30am. 

Book your place for the Health and Safety session
Durham Community Action Training
Protecting your Charity's Finances
31st October

This online session is aimed at volunteer led organisations and community groups.

It will cover the practicalities of managing finance for your organisation, developing a financial controls policy to minimise risk and planning for future sustainability.

It take place online on Thursday 31st October from 10.00 - 11.30am. 

Book your place for the Finance session
HR Dept
Navigating Employment: A Guide for Employers
6th November

Are you thinking about taking on your first employee? Do you already have employees and need to know if you meet legal requirements?

In this short webinar, HR expert Alison Schreiber from The HR Dept will highlight what you need to know as a first-time employer and some of the common issues for voluntary organisations to watch out for. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask your own questions too.

It take place online on Wednesday 6th November from 10.30 - 11.30am. 

Book your place for the Employment session
Funding Spotlights
Department of Health and Social Care
Defibrillator funding for community spaces across England

The Department of Health and Social Care is currently running a £1 million match funded Community Automated External Defibrillators Fund, aimed at increasing the number of AEDs in public places where they are most needed and to help save lives.

More information can be found on the Department of Health and Social Care website::

Defibrillator funding for community spaces across England
International Tree Foundation
International Tree Foundation 
UK Community Tree Planting Programme

International Tree Foundation (ITF) provides financial support for community tree planting projects, equivalent to £1.95 per tree. In addition, they provide expert consultation and advice for projects that need it. This may include help with project design, species selection, ground preparation etc. 

They also provide small maintenance grants to cover tree care in the first two years after planting. This is set at 10p per tree for each year, and is provided to encourage essential activities, such as watering, mulching, weeding, etc.

Find out more about the Tree Planting programme
Consultations
Durham County Council
Durham County Council:
Current Consultations

Budget Proposals for 2025/6 and Medium Term Plan 2026-29

Have your say on our budget proposals for 2025/26, as well as on how we meet the financial challenges we face over the next four years.

Consultation on our budget proposals for 2025/26 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2026-2029

Closing Date: 1st November

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Help us protect the cultural heritage of Durham City

We are reviewing the existing Durham City Conservation Area and producing a Management Plan to help develop a positive future management strategy to conserve and where possible enhance the city's historic buildings, sites, places, and landscapes.

Have your say to help us protect the cultural heritage of Durham City

Closing Date: 25th November


Help shape Durham City's future

We need your help to create a new vision for Durham City. Changes in the way our cities and towns are used mean that we want you to share your thoughts on the city's strengths, opportunities, challenges, and your hopes for its future.

Help shape Durham City's future

Closing Date: 25th November

View all Durham County Council consultations
VCSE Barometer
VCSE Barometer Survey
Wave 8 Open

Wave 8 of the VCSE Barometer Survey is open, featuring questions on governance. Feedback from the survey aims to give a regional and national picture of how Board’s are doing in the current climate, and how well organisations are being supported by their board.

The insight created by the Barometer is gaining traction with major national policymakers, and it’s your voice that guides them in understanding and supporting the sector.

Complete the VCSE Barometer Survey

If you require this email in a different format, would like to contribute towards future issues or provide any feedback about Durham Community News please contact helen.brown@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk (Mondays to Thursdays).

This email is sent from:
Durham Community Action, 9 St Stephens Court, Willington, Crook, County Durham. DL15 0BF

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