Our latest podcast episode celebrates Trustees’ Week as we unite in celebrating the talents, viewpoints and experiences of trustees in County Durham.

We chatted to trustee Jackie Gent at Howden-le-Wear Village Friends and trustee Lynne McIvor at Croxdale Community Association and discuss a typical trustee ‘day in the life’, what they have learned in their role and their advice for others looking to become a trustee.

Read our latest annual review in which we reflect on another busy and fulfilling year for Durham Community Action.

Our activities were focused around the core themes of Community Asset building, Volunteering Support, and ensuring that the views and interests of the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) continued to be heard and represented by local and national policymakers.

In our latest audio case study, we spoke to trustees Sharon and George from West Auckland Memorial Hall about how the community buildings energy efficiency grant helped to improve their building and the impact it has had for their local community.

Through our ongoing support we have helped them identify sustainable energy efficiency measures and secure necessary funding to make the memorial hall more energy efficient.

Did you know Durham Community Action is on LinkedIn?

Follow our page to keep up to date with our latest news, podcasts, training and events and more!

In the first survey of its kind in County Durham for the last 20 years, Middleton-in-Teesdale & Newbiggin Parish Council has launched a local Housing Needs Survey.

The Parish Council is working with Durham Community Action, to find out what housing challenges residents face and they have contacted every household in the parish to invite them to have their say. This survey will give local people the chance to voice their opinions and any concerns and help shape future housing provision. It aims to ensure Middleton-in-Teesdale remains a vibrant, prosperous, and healthy place to live.

One of the biggest challenges in many rural areas is the lack of affordable housing, which makes it difficult for people to live in the villages they grew up in or work in. Rising house prices, second homes, and high private rents often force local workers and families to move away, leaving businesses and services struggling. This affects all kinds of people, from older couples looking to downsize, to young people who would like to live independently and families who need space to grow.

With funding from Defra, Durham Community Action is helping Parish Councils like Middleton-in-Teesdale & Newbiggin understand their local housing needs. Through this housing needs survey, residents can influence their community’s future development. They can confidentially share their views on affordable housing and whether they or a family member needs housing which isn’t currently available to them. The survey will also help us to understand if the national rural housing crisis is reflected locally in Teesdale.

Durham Community Action’s Rural Housing Enabler, Susan Tron MBE, is available to discuss the project with other Parish Councils or residents interested in learning more. For more information contact Susan:

Email: susan.tronMBE@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
Telephone: 07496 461998

Julie, our County Durham Poverty Truth Commission Project Worker is writing a series of blogs to track the journey of the Poverty Truth Commission and those involved in it. 

You can read an introduction to the Poverty Truth, Commission, find out about the first County Commissioners meeting and learn about the Poverty Truth Network Commissioner Gathering in Derbyshire. 

We are launching our first community radio show on Bishop FM this month - our show will be broadcast on the first Thursday of every month (6.00-7.00pm) and repeated at the same time on the third Thursday of the month.

Our launch show will feature exciting community news in County Durham and updates around the work carried out by Durham Community Action.

You can listen via the Bishop FM website (https://www.bishopfm.com/) or by tuning into 105.9FM.

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.

The Community Growing and Food Network is a network for community organisations in County Durham that are involved or interested in, community food and growing projects to come together to share experiences, connect with each other and discuss topics of interest.

The next meeting will be online on Thursday 28th November from 2.00 – 3.30pm.

We will welcome Hannah Wilkinson from Brighter Futures Ferryhill CIC, Graham Lindup from East Durham Trust, Clair McGregor from Angel Trust and Jeanette Logan from Place to Be to tell us about their projects; how they positively impact the community, and the challenges and development they have faced along the way.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund are running a series of events throughout November for groups and organisations working in County Durham, particularly those interested in developing projects between £10,000 and £250,000.

The face to face sessions will help you to find out more about what a heritage project looks like and how to apply for funding, learn about the four investment principles underpinning Heritage 2033, (the Heritage Fund’s current 10-year strategy), meet members of the Engagement Team from the Heritage Fund who will be available to discuss your project ideas and connect with other local organisations to build your networks.

Dates and Venues

Please click on the links below for further information and to book your place:

Saturday 23rd November 10.00 - 11.30am Bowlees Visitor Centre, Teesdale

Thursday 28th November 2.00 - 4.00pm The Locomotion, Shildon 

Wednesday 15th January 10.00am - 12.00noon The Story, Durham

We are delighted to be joining the sessions at The Locomotion and The Story to outline the advice and support Durham Community Action can offer to voluntary and community groups across County Durham. 

For more information please email info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

Are you looking for your next opportunity?

We can help you if you're aged 25 or over, live in County Durham and meet any of these points:

• Not in employment, and have not been seeking work within the last four weeks and/or are unable to start work within the next two weeks
• Not expected to look for work as a requirement of a benefit you receive
• In unstable employment, for example, zero or low hours or at risk of redundancy, and you want to improve your circumstances
• You're a carer, a student, claiming a sickness benefit or you're simply not claiming any benefits and may be supported by family or savings.

We specialise in helping people to get the best out of their lives. For some people that might be starting a new job or doing some training, for others, work might seem a very long way away. We're here to help you look at what you might enjoy and how you might be able to get there. We can help with things like confidence building, getting out of the house, making new friends and starting to think and talk about what your future might hold.

For more information contact 03000 262009 / email employability@durham.gov.uk

Community groups struggling with rising costs can apply for a £10,000 grant to help run new or existing services and activities.

Housing association believe housing has found that some not-for-profit organisations in its communities are struggling to pay for basics such as rent and staff because of rising costs and a lack of external funding available to help meet core funding needs. 

It has now launched a pilot project; with two Core Cost Grants of £10,000 available in the southwest of County Durham.  

For details and to apply, organisations should visit www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding/.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by Sunday, 1 December.

The third round of the Energy Project Enabling Fund (EPEF) is now open for applications.

Capital grants of between £30,000 and £245,000 are available to Community Energy Groups, Public Sector Organisations, charities, and other eligible organisations wanting to deliver local energy projects. 

This funding has been provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as part of their commitment to the Local Net Zero Hubs and has been allocated by the NEY Net Zero Hub to facilitate the development and delivery of local energy projects in the North East and Yorkshire region.

All successful projects must be completed, and funding drawn down, by the end of September 2025.

The deadline for applications is 8th December

Lloyds Bank Foundation are welcoming applications from small specialist charities with an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000 working with people facing complex issues. Under this programme, there are eight priorities:

• Addiction
• Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Care Leavers
• Domestic Abuse
• Homelessness
• Offending
• Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
• Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery

Successful applicants will receive an unrestricted grant of £75,000 alongside a breadth of tailored support aimed at helping strengthen charities and building the knowledge, skills and capabilities of their staff and trustees

The deadline for applications is 23rd January. 

Healthy Start Scheme

We want to better understand peoples' experience of the Healthy Start scheme in County Durham so that more people gain from its benefits.

Healthy Start Scheme survey

Closing Date: 22nd 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

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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