Durham Community News May 2024

Durham Community News
May 2024

Community Growing and Food Network

Did you know that Durham Community Action facilitates a Community Growing and Food Network?

The Community Growing and Food Network brings together like-minded organisations who run projects, or have an interest, related to growing and food. It enables community groups and organisations from all sectors with similar visions to connect, communicate and collaborate, supporting each other and sharing good practice.

Network sessions are held five times throughout the year with a mixture of online and in-person presentations; there is a different theme or chance to hear from a project or organisation at each session. Participants can also discuss topics of interest and share experiences and updates.

Our most recent network session on 25^th April was an in-person event at Wharton Park in Durham City. It was centered around the theme of “Biodiversity and Climate Friendly Growing” and was a partnership event with Food Durham.

Attendees from a range of community organisations gathered together to learn more about producing food and garden activities that are good for biodiversity and are climate-friendly. The Wharton Park countryside ranger took us for a tour of the parks biodiversity projects and volunteers at Friends of Wharton Park Community Garden gave an overview of their community garden. Everyone also had the chance to be involved in some practical activities to encourage wildlife, such as making wildflower seed bombs, bee posts and lacewing hotels.

The Network session was held during Good to Grow Week (22^nd- 29^th April). This is a yearly campaign ran by Sustain to encourage community gardens to celebrate the new growing season by opening their doors to volunteers and community members to help out in their local area, while supporting and enjoying all of the valuable community spaces around the UK. Good to Grow Week is a great way to get the garden ready for the growing season.

If you would like to read more and get involved next year, visit here for further details and to register.

In Consett, Benfieldside Community Garden got involved in Good to Grow Week and organised various open days and events for the community to get involved in their local area. You can hear Christine from Building Self-Belief talking about their project at Benfieldside Community Garden and the impact it had by listening to our podcast. Alternatively you can listen to Building Self Belief’s full podcast here

To find out more about the Community Growing and Food Network, visit our webpage, Facebook group and sign up to the mailing list for the latest news and network meeting invitations.

Hallmark success for Framwellgate Moor Youth and Community Association

Hallmark presentation Framwellgate Moor YCC

Congratulations to Framwellgate Moor Youth and Community Association for achieving Hallmark 1,2 and 3 for the fourth time.

Hallmark is Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)’s quality standards scheme for village halls and community buildings which rewards and recognises good practice.

Peter Sykes, Secretary of the Association said:

"Our Community Centre has been awarded Hallmark Quality Standard Certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the next three years to confirm that we are complying with Hallmark requirements."

The assessment took place on 11th March and the assessor's report stated:

“We continue to be very impressed with Framwellgate Moor Youth & Community Association; we appreciate that all the hard work and dedication of the committee continues to make Framwellgate Moor Youth and Community Centre a well-used community facility.”

They are one of only a few community buildings in County Durham to receive all three levels of the award. Congratulations to the Trustees and Centre Managers, plus all the volunteers who help in achieving this.

They were delighted to receive the awards presented by Isla Ballard from Durham Community Action during one of the Welcome Spaces events at the centre.

If your community building is interested in taking part in the Hallmark scheme please email isla.ballard@durhamcommunityaction.org.ukj

Buddy_Cups North East achieves charitable status as they celebrate their fifth birthday

Buddy_Cups was launched as a coffee club in 2019, with the simple mission to provide emotional and practical support for those affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a challenging journey, and Buddy_Cups has played a crucial role in offering a welcome space for people affected to share their own journey and experiences whilst offering support to each other.

Since the group began, the number of members has steadily grown and new members are now joining the group from across the North East.

The range of activities offered has also evolved from simply meeting for a cuppa to now include flower arranging, a book club, arts and crafts, scenic walks, educational talks, but members still enjoy just meeting for a cuppa and a chat.

In 2023 the trustees decided it was time to take the next step and register the group as a charity. This was an important milestone to achieve as it would provide a solid foundation for the group's long term growth and sustainability.

DCA provided advice and support to the trustees to enable them to select an appropriate legal structure and carried out the registration process with the Charity Commission on their behalf.

On 9^th May 2024 the group achieved charitable status and are now legally known as Buddy_Cups North East.

Here’s what two trustees of the group had to say about this achievement:

"Being recognised as a charity will enable us to reach out to as many people and their carers who have been affected by breast cancer in the North East Region. We are still the only charity in the County Durham area to offer this, and we know there is a real need for support out there and we want to play our part in assisting in this as best we can."

"As a group of volunteers, we were completely new to the process of applying to register as a charity. We met Tracy Emery from Durham Community Action (DCA) and she spoke with us and guided us through the entire process and submitted the completed application for us.

Without her assistance I think we might have given up on the process, but she made it so much easier. We are extremely grateful to Tracy and DCA for all their help in achieving or charitable status."

For anyone who is interested in finding out more about the group please visit Buddy Cups | A Supportive Community or email BuddyCups@gmail.com

Impactful micro-commission for Randolph Community Centre

In 2023 Durham Community Action worked with the Ballinger Charitable Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver their programme of micro commissions to community groups in County Durham.

Durham Community Action coordinated the programme and made sure community organisations had the right information and support to present their project ideas to the funders. Twenty organisations were awarded funding to support their work with children and young people.

We have chatted to Randolph Community Centre about the impact the £1,000 they received from the Ballinger Charitable Trust and National Lottery Community Fund has made to service users in their local community in Bishop Auckland.

Listen here

Durham Cricket Community Engagement

Durham Cricket has an exciting summer ahead with seven T20 Blast games across May, June and July. This year they’ve introduced a sensory room which is designed to ensure cricket is accessible to families with neurodiverse children who might otherwise feel uncomfortable attending matches.

They have also introduced a multi-faith space to continue to make Seat Unique Riverside the most inclusive county cricket ground.

This season they have several themed games including Pride Day on 12th June, Family Day on 16th June, South Asian Celebration on 5th July and the blue light services game on 12th July.

If you would like to have any community engagement with Durham Cricket, please contact Cameron Rochow Cameron.Rochow@durhamcricket.co.uk

Pride Month
1st - 30th June

This June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating LGBT+ communities all around the world.

LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The + is an inclusive symbol to mean 'and others' to include people of all identities.

Pride Month is about acceptance, equality and celebrates the work of LGBT+ people, further creating awareness around LGBT+ history and educating all generations.

Durham Pride are running Pride Parade during the Spring Bank holiday weekend, full details here

Great Big Green Week
8th - 16th June

The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Every year, people unite to unleash a wave of support for action to protect the planet. Tens of thousands of people in every corner of the country celebrate the heartfelt, brave, everyday actions being taken to stand up for nature and fight climate change.

This year #GreatBigGreenWeek will be celebrating swaps – from clothes or book swaps, to skill swaps in allotments or upcycling workshops, to knowledge swaps on discussion panels or wildlife reserves.

Events are hosted by teachers, bus drivers, sports clubs, artists, community groups, places of worship, libraries, builders – anyone who cares about climate change.

Find out more

Small Charity Week
24th - 28th June

Small Charity Week is a campaign to empower the UK’s small charities to have an even greater impact on society, and to address the challenges they face.

Throughout the week, NCVO will provide training and events for small charities and create a national conversation about the vital role of small charities in strengthening communities across the UK.

Find out more

Small Steps to becoming a Greener Voluntary Organisation
Tuesday 18th June

Join our online workshop on Tuesday 18th June from 10.00 - 11.30am aimed at trustees and staff from voluntary organisations across County Durham who want to do their bit to become ‘greener.’

It will cover:

Why we all need to take action now
Understanding trustee responsibilities within your organisation
What to include in an environmental policy
Creating an action plan for a greener organisation
What we can to do support our community to take action

Book your place

Ethical Property Foundation 21st Year Free Webinar Series

The Ethical Property Foundation (EPF) are running this online webinar for voluntary organisations as part of their 21st Year webinar series:

Negotiating and Managing Your Lease - Tuesday 30th May 12.00 - 1.00pm

The webinar will help you:

Understand some of the legal jargon and demystify a lease.
Understand the negotiation process and how to evaluate what is right for your organisation.
Understand what the principles within a Heads of Terms document mean.
Understand different types of agreement – lease vs licence.
Recognise and understand how to manage common problem areas, such as rent reviews and break clauses.
Understand the principles to be followed when reviewing or terminating your lease

Book your place

Believe Housing Large Revenue Community Grants now open for applications

Applications for grants are now available for revenue projects between £5,000 and £10,000.

The funding can be used to support and deliver innovative projects that put Believe Housing's customers on a pathway to improving their lives.

Applications for the Large Revenue Community Grants will be open until Tuesday 11th June.

Find out more

Subsidised Energy Audits for Community Groups and Local Authorities

Energy audits have been cited by community energy groups across the region as one of the pre-feasibility stages of development works that they require financial assistance in accessing.

The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub are currently able to offer a limited number of subsidised energy audits. Through this programme, community energy groups and Local Authorities working with community energy groups may bid for a consultant to complete an energy audit for a single building or site. These energy audits will be heavily subsidised by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, meaning the applicant only needs to pay 20% of the costs.

The closing date for applications is 2^nd June and all energy audits must be completed by 30^th September.

Find out more

Durham County Council:
Current Consultations

A Long Term Plan for Spennymoor

We want to hear your views about Spennymoor to help develop a new long term plan for the town and how we can best use government funding.

Consultation on a long term plan for Spennymoor

Closing Date: 31st May

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Gambling Act

This consultation gives you the chance to have your say on the review of our Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles, also known as the "gambling policy".

Gambling Act consultation

Closing Date: 14th June

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Community Water Fluoridation Expansion in the North East of England

The Government are consulting on a proposal to request the relevant water companies to enter into new fluoridation arrangements, and to vary existing agreements, in order to expand community water fluoridation schemes across the north east of England. This is because of significant and long-standing inequalities in the region and is part of the government's plan to improve dental health.

Gov.uk: community water fluoridation expansion in the north east of England

Closing Date: 17th June

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Durham County News Magazine

Tell us what you think about changes to the way we share the Durham County News magazine with you.

Changes to Durham County News magazine

Closing Date: 17th June

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Anti-Social Behaviour in Durham City

We'd like your views on ASB issues in Durham City and measures which could be introduced to help tackle these issues.

Tackling issues of anti-social behaviours (ASB) in Durham City

Closing Date: 23rd June

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Revised Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for Durham City

We are currently consulting on a revised AQAP which sets out how we intend to improve air quality in Durham City. We want your views on the 21 draft actions, and whether you have any suggestions for alternatives.

Consultation on a revised Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for Durham City

Closing Date: 30th June

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Face to Face Customer Services

Have your say on proposals to change the way we offer face to face services to our residents.

Proposed changes to face to face customer services

Closing Date: 28th July

NHS England:
Request for Feedback

Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use: Joint Action Plan

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board has received, from national colleagues, a draft copy of the ‘Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use: Joint Action Plan’ (please see attached).

NHS England would really appreciate initial feedback, comments and steers following their review of the document, particularly relating to changes it stipulates within mental health and the NHS Talking Therapies programme. This includes a new questionnaire, changes to the curriculum and training which will all be included in the manual.

Please can you share your comments back to erin.harvey1@nhs.net

Closing Date: 28th May

North East North Cumbria Quality Strategy - Public Survey

The public, patients and carers are being asked 'what does high quality care mean to you?' through a 10-minute survey that will help develop a new Quality Strategy for the region.

The survey, which can be accessed here will help develop the strategy to support and build a positive culture of safety, openness and learning across health and care.

All responses will be anonymous. The ICB will gather all of the feedback to help build the final Quality Strategy.

Closing Date: 2nd June

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).

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Durham Community Action, 9 St Stephens Court, Willington, Crook, County Durham. DL15 0BF