We are delighted to be welcoming a range of funders and grant-giving organisations for a series of virtual funding information sessions for representatives of voluntary and community groups across County Durham. 

Don't miss your chance to speak to funders including  County Durham Community Foundation, Northstar Ventures, BBC Children in Need, Easyfundraising and Sir James Knott Trust.

These are free events but places must be booked in advance. 

In our latest audio case study, we chatted to Helen Ward from Jack Drum Arts about their Winter Light Parade. Through the help of Crowdfunding, Jack Drum Arts raised over £14,000 to produce their local cultural event. 

Listen to Helen's experience of the benefits of Crowdfunding and learn how you can start.

Listen here on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This year's Good to Grow Day will be held between the 21st and 24th of April, for edible community gardens to open their gates to volunteers, old and new. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate Spring with your neighbours, get some jobs done and have some fun along the way.

If you help run a community garden, make sure you register so you can access all the resources to help plan and promote your event.

Multiply is a new FREE fully funded programme to help adults across the UK improve their numeracy skills to understand and feel confident in using numbers in daily life. 

This could be a useful opportunity for eligible staff and volunteers or those accessing your services.

For further information please contact: multiply@durham.gov.uk

Cumbria CVS are asking for voluntary and community organisations with experience of the Waiting Well Programme across North East and Cumbria, to attend an online focus group on Tuesday 28th March from 1.00 - 2.30pm. Aimed at discussing ways to improve VCSE involvement in the planning and delivery of NHS initiative and programmes, it will focus on:

• VCSE involvement in local or regional planning and delivery of Waiting Well.
• Barriers to getting involved.
• How connections and communications about such initiatives can be improved.

Northumbria University have received funding from the UKRI to support the development of a network of organisations and individuals who work to prevent homelessness or support people once they become homeless. 

The project seeks to develop integrated ways of working across the North East and North Cumbria to reduce disparities and improve the health and opportunities for people experiencing homelessness in our region.

The first of a series of workshops, bringing together people with lived experience, third sector and statutory organisations was held in January, and the next one takes place on March 24th, 12.30-4pm in Newcastle.  

The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) have Community Connection Coordinators whose roles are to connect people affected by sight loss to RNIB services and other national and local services. They also work to connect those affected by sight loss to each other through peer support and to the wider community.

Their role also involves awareness raising. If your organisation would like to gain a better understanding of sight loss and how you can support those living with sight loss in your community, they can provide information through awareness sessions.

For more information, please contact us via NorthConnectTeam@rnib.org.uk