Smokefree County Durham has launched their new Level 1.5 service, which will be embedded in their existing service and aims to meet clients in their own locations.

Public Health England has set a below 5% smoking prevalence target by 2030. Smokefree County Durham is looking for enthusiastic and compassionate individuals to help make this happen. 

They will provide a free, 1 hour 30 minute training course to teach you all you need to know, complete with resources and regular support. There will also be a financial incentive; details to be confirmed.

To find out more, please email emma.laws@smokefreecountydurham.org.uk

The UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity guidelines have been updated, with strengthened supporting evidence on physical activity for adults. The purpose of the update was to:

• Reflect new research on adult physical activity published since the guidelines were last reviewed in 2019.
• Strengthen messaging about even small amounts of physical activity being beneficial, and add emphasis on maintaining strength and balance (including for those on GLP-1 drugs).
• Republish the rest of the document in a refreshed format, ensuring it meets accessibility standards and with new infographics.
• Update and strengthen the messaging for adults, and create and support opportunities to promote physical activity.

A full guideline update is planned in collaboration with the World Health Organisation for 2030.

Read the updated Physical Activity guidelines 

The Better Health at Work Award is a fully funded initiative designed to improve the health and wellbeing of employees in the workplace.

The award is free and available to all businesses in County Durham. You will be supported by a dedicated workplace health team and have access to free workplace training, including understanding stress and basic mental health. The award supports workplaces to deliver health activities that address key public health improvement priorities.

Find out more about the award and sign up here:

Better Health at Work Award

Durham County Council's Public Health Team are currently looking to develop the Now You’re Talking Campaign, which promotes support for mental health and wellbeing and is looking for support from organisations and groups across County Durham who may be interested in taking part.

They are keen to use real images of local people, activities and communities to help bring the campaign to life. 

They are looking for organisations, groups and individuals who would be willing to participate in a photoshoot or provide a quote about their work. This could include peer support; social, physical or creative activities; volunteering opportunities; and any other activities that help support positive wellbeing and social connection.

If you are interested in supporting the campaign or would like to find out more, please email lisa.richardson@durham.gov.uk

You’ll be asked to provide some information about your group and the activities you do. 

A professional photographer and representative from the Council’s communications team will attend each location and will work with you to ensure minimal disruption to your activities.

Durham County Council are now recruiting for Suicide Prevention Community Champions.

Under the overarching umbrella of the Community Champions programme, Suicide Prevention Community Champions have an interest in preventing suicide. Anyone aged 18+ who works and/or lives in County Durham can become a Suicide Prevention Community Champion. They volunteer to:

• raise awareness about suicide prevention
• help people to talk openly 
• help people to understand signs
• share information
• support local campaigns 
• feedback to the Public Health team 
• help improve suicide prevention work in County Durham.

Becoming a Suicide Prevention Community Champion does not mean you are an expert, and you will not be expected to provide specialist support – specialist services are available for this.

Please visit the website for more information, including how to sign up, and how you will be supported in the role:

Suicide Prevention Community Champions

VCSE organisations are invited to join an online session hosted by DCA exploring ‘where we are now’ with Neighbourhood Health in County Durham on Friday 18^th September from 10.30am - 12.00noon via Teams. 

We’ll be joined by guests, including Susan Watson, Chief Executive of South Durham Health, and Dr Jen Steel, Director of Integrated Community Services, followed by a discussion in which we want to hear your thoughts and ideas as VCSE organisations.  

To register, please follow the booking link below.  Further details and a Teams link will follow prior to the meeting.   

Neighbourhood Health in County Durham: Where Are We Now?

Cycle September is a free, fun, and inclusive cycling challenge operated by Love to Ride with the aim of getting more people riding bikes, more often.

The challenge is open to riders of all levels, whether they are beginners or experienced cyclists, and takes place from 1^st to 30^th September. Participants can log their rides to earn points and have a chance to win prizes, promoting cycling for health, community connection, and environmental benefits.

Workplaces can take part too, competing with organisations of a similar staff size. Teams earn points by riding and motivating others to get involved, with the chance to rise up local and national industry leaderboards.

Find out more: Cycle September

Move for 10 is a new challenge from This Girl Can: 10 minutes of movement, 10 times a month, any time, at any pace that works for you. 

 If you’ve slipped out of the habit of being active, you’re not alone. The good news is you don’t need to overhaul your life to get moving again.

You can start with just 10 minutes. Just 10 minutes of movement can help lift your mood, boost your energy and confidence, and support better sleep. And once you’ve started, you might even feel like carrying on. Whether it’s walking, dancing, yoga, a bodyweight workout, a bike ride or playing with the kids, every bit of movement counts. You can do it at home, in the park, at a class, at the gym or wherever works for you.

No pressure. No perfect plan. Start when you’re ready, pause when life gets in the way, and come back whenever you need to.

Find out more and access a free online tracker:

This Girl Can - Move for 10

Healthy Families County Durham is a free family weight management programme for children and young people aged 4–17 and their families, helping them make positive, realistic changes to their health and wellbeing without blame or judgement. It's delivered by MoreLife in partnership with Durham County Council.

Families join a free 10-week programme, with ongoing support available for up to 12 months. Practical, friendly sessions cover:

• Healthy eating and affordable family meals
• Fun ways to be more active
• Sleep and healthy routines
• Emotional wellbeing
• Support to make lasting changes at home

Families also get access to a personal health coach, local group sessions and practical resources, with Easy Read materials available for families with SEND.

Schools, GPs, Family Hubs, social prescribing teams, and community organisations can all refer, as can parents and carers directly.

For more information, please telephone 0191 3801144 or visit Healthy Families County Durham

Photograph: Health Families County Durham

The North East NHS ICA is a free, confidential service (independent of the NHS).

They support clients through the NHS complaints procedure by helping them to submit formal NHS complaint letters linked to any NHS care and treatment, giving clients information about the procedure, and supporting them in NHS complaint-related meetings if needed.

Find out more:

North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) Service

The Rethink IPS Employment Team is currently accepting referrals from services supporting individuals who may benefit from personalised employment support due to a health condition, disability, or other barriers to work. 

The Durham IPS Employment Service (part of the Connect to Work initiative) provides specialist support for individuals with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, and those facing complex challenges that may affect their ability to gain or maintain employment. Through intensive, tailored one-to-one support, Employment Specialists work closely with individuals to identify suitable opportunities and engage with local employers to match people with roles that reflect their skills, aspirations, and circumstances.

The service supports both people who are currently unemployed and those who are in work but finding it difficult to sustain their employment. Participation is entirely voluntary, and individuals remain in control of what information is shared with current or prospective employers.

If you work with individuals who could benefit from dedicated employment support, referrals are welcomed from all services across the community.

To make a referral, please telephone 0191 3237832, email DurhamCtW.IPS@rethink.org or visit Durham Connect to Work IPS Employment Service

Durham Community Action are working with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to offer an online training session for professionals and partner organisations who visit the homes of vulnerable service users. 

The training will give you insight into the dangers of fire, common hazards/warning signs that you may come across in a service users home and what you can do to help reduce these fire risks directly or by referring into the Fire Service so the operational fire crews and/or Community Fire Safety Officers can offer bespoke advice and guidance to help keep the service user safe in their home. 

There are two opportunities to attend this online training; click on the links for more information and to book places:

Tuesday 29th September 9.30 - 10.30am

Thursday 8th October 3.00 - 4.00pm

Durham Community Action are working with Durham County Council to offer this session, delivered by Kelly Hailes, Housing Partnerships Coordinator at Durham County Council, which provides an introduction to the Duty to Refer (DTR) process. It is designed to help professionals identify, refer and support individuals who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Topics covered include:

• An overview of the Duty to Refer, its purpose and the requirement to obtain service user consent.
• The public authorities that have a statutory duty to refer.
• How to identify when an individual is homeless or threatened with homelessness.
• Understanding local connection and how this may affect the homelessness duties owed by a local authority.
• How to use the North East Duty to Refer Portal.
• What happens after a referral is submitted.
• An overview of priority need, homelessness pathways and accommodation options.
• Common barriers to accessing accommodation.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss practical issues relating to the referral process.

This session is particularly valuable for frontline practitioners who work with vulnerable individuals and may be in a position to identify housing issues and prevent homelessness before a crisis occurs.

There are two opportunities to attend this online training; click on the links for more information and to book places:

Tuesday 13th October 9.30 - 10.30am

Thursday 15th October 1.30 - 2.30pm

National Energy Action is running this webinar designed for frontline staff who work with vulnerable and low-income groups who are at risk from living in cold and damp homes.

It explores how fuel poverty can influence both physical and mental health, and how these challenges may affect the way individuals engage with the energy market.

It will take place on the following dates:

• Friday 18th September 9.30am - 12.00noon
• Monday 28th September 1.30 - 4.00pm
• Wednesday 7th October 9.30am - 12.00noon

Full details and book your place:

Understanding Fuel Poverty and Health: Impacts on Physical and Mental Health

CRT Engage is the Coalfields Regeneration Trust's health, skills and jobs programme. 

Coaches will offer support to achieve your goals – whether it’s building your confidence, accessing expert healthy eating advice from qualified nutritionists, or connecting you with local opportunities and support in your community. Your coach is there to listen and offer practical advice to help tackle your challenges.

Loneliness can affect us all and CRT Engage can help by supporting you to volunteer, connect with local opportunities or join new groups so you can meet new people and build confidence.

The team can help you find free training to improve your skills, whether it’s an online or in person.They can also support you to build skills and move towards employment through one-to-one support with CV writing, job searching, skills development and access to training opportunities.

For more information visit the CRT Engage website or email communitiesactive@coalfields-regen.org.uk

Live Well with Pain is running this practical, interactive workshop, which explores how trauma, stress and nervous system responses can influence persistent pain, and how consultations can either reinforce threat or create safety.

Building on the Live Well with Pain Ten Footsteps, you will explore simple, trauma-informed ways to listen, validate, build rapport, manage expectations, and support patients towards greater confidence and self-efficacy.

Find out more and book your place:

Creating Safety to Support Change: Trauma-Informed Conversations

Veterans for Veterans in Care (VFVIC) is a charity run by veterans that supports former Armed Forces personnel living in care homes, assisted living and sheltered housing across County Durham. Focusing on the nation’s “Forgotten Army”, it helps veterans reconnect with the military community and access support.

With over 26,000 veterans living in care homes across England and Wales, many can feel isolated or unaware of available support. VFVIC identifies and engages these veterans through volunteer visits, social activities, veteran groups and community events.

The charity also works with families, carers and care home staff, providing training to improve understanding of veterans’ experiences. By promoting social inclusion and veteran identity, VFVIC helps enhance wellbeing, strengthen connections and ensure older veterans are not forgotten.

Find out more:

Veterans for Veterans in Care

Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens has launched a series of monthly tea dances in its refectory to provide people aged 65 and over with the chance to enjoy some old-fashioned entertainment in the company of their peers. And to help ensure everyone who wants to attend can get there, a free shuttle bus service has been set up to take dancers living in local villages to and from the venue.

Generous support from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund is helping to cover the project costs, with further events set to take place on the first Wednesday afternoon of September, October and November.

The project is part of Ushaw’s programme of creative activities for people aged 65 and over, which is designed to support well-being, build confidence and help them connect with others. It follows on from its successful Forget Me Notes dementia-friendly choir, which takes place every Thursday morning and welcomes people of all singing abilities.

Places at Ushaw’s tea dances are free for people living in all DH postcodes, as well as in DL13-17, but are limited and must be booked in advance.

For further information, please visit: 

Tea Dance at Ushaw

HeArts Creative Projects is a small social enterprise with a very big heart. They believe creativity has the power to change how people feel and create safe, welcoming spaces where carers, community groups, charities, schools, libraries, local organisations and business teams can reconnect, rebuild resilience and rediscover joy.

There’s no pressure to be “artistic”, no experience needed - you simply show up as you are. Through shared making, storytelling and connection, people become lighter, more confident, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Every workshop is bespoke, flexible and completely people-centred. For businesses, sessions also support employee wellbeing and meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility, helping teams feel valued while making a positive impact.

If your organisation is looking for a fresh way to support wellbeing, they’d love to explore how they can help. 

Find out more:

HeArts Creative Projects

Evidence shows that time spent in nature improves physical health and mental well-being. It inspires and motivates people; it can even help to prevent a whole range of illnesses, from chronic stress to depression, heart disease, and obesity. Having nature close by builds healthy immune systems and allows recovery more quickly from illness. Health programmes which focus on nature even save the NHS money. 

Durham Wildlife Trust’s Links with Nature project is a community-led initiative based in the Sunderland Coalfields focused on connecting people with their nearby greenspaces. Encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nearby woods, wetlands or parks all leads to more active, healthy lifestyles.

There are regular opportunities to get involved, either by attending an event or volunteering to support work to restore the wild spaces. From ‘Feel Good Thursdays' – giving attendees the opportunity to try out a range of nature-based activities, including wild yoga and willow weaving - to guided walks, craft events and litter picks, there is something to suit everyone. One volunteer from the project commented: “Getting outside and moving in nature has been really beneficial for my mental health and stress control.”

Find out more about the project:

Durham Wildlife Trust - Links with Nature

Since 2021, The Wise Group has delivered Commissioned Rehabilitative Services across Durham and Cleveland, supporting adult males on probation to rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and take positive steps towards life back in the community.

Support is delivered through four key pathways. Emotional Wellbeing focuses on resilience, coping strategies and positive routines through activities such as group sessions, wellbeing walks, art therapy, chess, fishing and specialist referrals. Family and Significant Others support helps people rebuild healthy relationships, develop positive parenting skills and manage emotions more effectively. Lifestyle and Associates encourages constructive activities, pro-social networks and healthier habits, while Social Inclusion helps reduce isolation through life skills, pre-release planning, gate pick-ups and community connection.

Individuals may be eligible if they are under probation supervision in Durham or Cleveland with more than three months remaining on their licence, or if they are in custody and returning to the area within three months of release.

Find out more:

Community Justice Mentoring | Reducing reoffending |The Wise Group

Cultivate4Life is an allotment-based project in Bishop Auckland that uses horticultural therapy to get peoples’ lives back on track.

It is one of several projects supported by the Bishop Auckland Community Partnership. Located on the Woodhouse Close Allotments site in Bishop Auckland it has two allotments on which gardening activities take place. One of the three main sheds is dedicated to woodworking.

A significant development in 2019 led to the Community Gardening initiative. Here volunteers undertook gardening maintenance activities for residents who could not manage their gardens for themselves. Resident are asked to make a donate in return for the work. This service has increased each year and runs for March to October inclusive.

Flowers and vegetables are grown on the allotment. The volunteers are free to take vegetables for themselves and any surplus is donated to the local foodbank at Woodhouse Close Community Centre.

Last year Cultivate4Life linked with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust mental health service. Since September last year, volunteers from the Trust outpatients visit the allotment on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Find out more:

Cultivate4Life

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Health Improvement Fund supports community projects that help people improve their health and wellbeing and helps reduce health and lifestyle inequalities.

They welcome applications for projects that help people to:

• be more physically active and improve their physical health;
• look after their mental health and emotional wellbeing;
• make healthier lifestyle choices and develop positive, healthy habits; and
• reduce or stop behaviours that can harm their health, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.

Find out more:

County Durham and Darlington NHS Health Improvement Fund

The closing date for applications is 20th September. 

Henry Smith Foundation are launching this fund on Wednesday 23rd September to help sustain access to specialist counselling for survivors of domestic abuse.

They will provide five year grants to organisations with a deep understanding of domestic abuse and the needs of victim-survivors, enabling them to continue the vital support that helps people rebuild their lives.

You can sign upto a live webinar to find out more about the fund on Tuesday 15th September from 11.00am - 12.00noon.

Find out more:

Henry Smith Foundation - Domestic Abuse Counselling Fund

The Big Conversation on Care has now launched, and you are invited to share your views on adult social care.

Whether you use care services, care for someone else, work in the sector, or have opinions on how care should work in the future, you can have your say and help shape the future of care.

Find out more here:

The Big Conversation on Care

Durham County Council is refreshing its All-Age Autism Strategy and would like to hear from autistic people, family carers, and anyone with lived experience of autism.

To help shape the strategy, they will be holding two online discussion sessions to start with on Wednesday 14th October 1.30 - 3.30pm and Wednesday 11th November 1.30 - 3.30pm where people can share their experiences, discuss what is working well, identify gaps in support, and help develop priorities for the future.

They want this strategy to be developed with autistic people and their families, ensuring that lived experience is at the heart of decision-making.

They would particularly welcome participation from people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, so that the strategy reflects the diverse needs of autistic people and families across County Durham.

To sign up for the online sesions, please email lisa.tallant@inclusionnorth.org

Healthwatch County Durham want to hear about people’s experiences of leaving hospital.

Your feedback can help the NHS understand if everyone leaving hospital is getting the support they need.

We want to hear from:

• people who have been discharged from an NHS hospital in England in the last 12 months
• carers, relatives or friends answering about someone they support

They are interested in experiences where being discharged (leaving hospital) was delayed or difficult. This might include when:

• The discharge was delayed by at least a day
• The discharge happened before they felt ready
• Care, support, equipment, medication, transport or follow-up was not in place

Complete the survey here:

Survey: Delayed or Difficult Hospital Discharge

The survey closes on Tuesday 6th October.