Housing is a core issue for many rural areas for a variety of reasons. House prices are often beyond the reach of many people, particularly those on lower incomes and according to the Land Registry, rural house prices have risen 82% in 10 years. Building affordable homes can be difficult due to relatively high development costs per unit and the availability of suitable sites. Demand from second home buyers and holiday lets can also have a strong influence on the availability and value of housing in many rural areas.

Durham Community Action is part of a national Rural Housing Enabling Programme which aims to boost the supply of new rural affordable housing.

The network of Rural Housing Enablers are independent advisors who work with communities to support the development of affordable housing schemes. The advisors will help identify suitable development opportunities in communities, and support site owners and community representatives to navigate the planning system and create developments in rural areas that meet the needs of local people.

In Durham our Rural Housing Enabler, Susan, is keen to talk as many people in Teasdale and Weardale as possible. She recently visited the very popular coffee morning at Cowshill & Lanehead Village Hall.

If you would like to Susan to visit your group, Parish Council meeting or event please do get in touch by emailing susan.tron@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk 

We are just as interested to collect the voices of those that don’t feel this approach is needed as well as the ones that do.

Cathryn and Julie, DCA's newly formed County Durham Poverty Truth Commission team, travelled to Chester to the annual Poverty Truth Network facilitators gathering in May.

Poverty Truth Commissions seek to discover the answer to the question 'what if people who struggled against poverty were involved in making decisions about tackling poverty?' and has the strapline 'nothing about us, without us, is for us'.

At the event, Cathryn and Julie met with colleagues from thirteen other commissions to share ideas and learning. One of the first activities was to make a box representing your commission, so they used green to represent countryside, and an old pit wheel to represent the mining industry.

Our box was placed at the beginning of a timeline, to show we had just started on our journey. It was reassuring to find several other boxes also at the start, although some were on their second or third cycle!

We chatted and listened and pondered, finding time to speak to most of the thirty participants between us. A worthwhile experience, which will certainly inform our County Durham Poverty Truth journey.   

For more information visit https://povertytruthnetwork.org/

The National Databank is like a food bank, but for mobile data – it provides free mobile SIM cards to people who need internet connectivity. 

Good Things Foundation created the National Databank with Virgin Media O2, and it’s supported by Vodafone and Three, with all of the providers donating mobile data SIM cards to help digitally excluded people. 

Several organisations here in County Durham have already partnered with Good Things Foundation to offer free data SIM cards to low-income households and you can too. Each SIM offers between 20gb to 40gb of data with some also providing free calls and texts. SIMs can be activated for up to twelve months depending on the provider.  

To register as a databank through the national digital inclusion network, and to find out more about the Good Things Foundation see the  National Databank - Good Things Foundation. 

If you’d like to have support through the signup process or learn more about the scheme, please contact the Digital Durham team on: digital.durham@durham.gov.uk 

The NHS Safeguarding app has been developed to act as a comprehensive resource for healthcare professionals, carers and citizens. It provides 24-hour, mobile access on up to date legislation and guidance across the safeguarding life course.

The app also provides information on how to report a safeguarding concern and even has a directory of safeguarding contacts for every local authority in England, searchable by region.

It can be accessed via Apple iOS, Google Play or it can be downloaded by visiting your device’s appropriate app store and searching for ‘NHS Safeguarding’.

If you have any questions or amendments that need to be noted on the NHS Safeguarding App please contact the Safeguarding Team: england.safeguarding@nhs.net

From 24th - 28th June, we’re taking part in the UK’s biggest celebration of small charities – Small Charity Week. It’s a chance for small charities to raise awareness of the essential role we play in our communities and to celebrate the incredible people that make our work possible.

Throughout the week, we’ll also be sharing inspiring stories from our community on social media. Please email katie.baggott@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk with your inspirational story and we will share it on our social media platforms.

Community Energy Fortnight (CEF) is a vibrant nationwide campaign reaching thousands of people and involving hundreds of organisations.

It is a great opportunity to make your organisation's activities visible within the local community and show the rest of the sector, and important stakeholders, what community energy is all about. 

CEF 2024 will run from 1st – 14th July. 

Every year, Rural Housing Week highlights the many social and economic benefits of affordable housing to rural communities. Taking place 1-5 July, Rural Housing Week 2024 focuses on why rural communities need the next government to commit to a long-term plan for housing.

You can register for a webinar taking place on Tuesday 2nd July to discuss why rural communities need a long-term plan for housing. 

The next meeting of the Community Growing and Food Network will take place in person at Crook Hall Gardens in Durham on Tuesday 2nd July from 1.00 - 3.30pm.

We will hear about Crook Hall and the National Trust’s Durham City in Blossom 2024, listen to some volunteer stories, and enjoy a tour of the beautiful gardens.

As always there will be plenty of opportunities to make connections and discuss the topic of volunteering outdoors over a cuppa and cake!

This event is for voluntary and community sector organisations and social enterprises.

Join us for an insightful session where we will explore how voluntary and community sector organisations can boost their unrestricted income through trading activities.

The event is designed to be informative and enjoyable, providing you with valuable information to inspire you with new ideas.

It will take place on Thursday 11th July from 9.30am - 12.00noon at Greenhills Community Centre, Wheatley Hill, DH6 3JS.

At this event, you will:

• Gain an understanding of the basics of trading as a VCSE organisation
• Understand your governance – how can your organisation trade?
• Learn about the different types of trading
• Hear about examples of successful trading initiatives
• Find out more about how Greenhills Community Centre has developed a variety of trading activities

This is a free event, and places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Supported by UKSPF funds, this event is delivered in collaboration with Durham Start Ups, Create North and the Social Enterprise Team at the region's Business Innovation Centre.

If you are thinking about starting a business, have an idea for a community business, or are needing to kickstart your start up, Durham Start Ups provides a single point of contact for you to access a broad range of business support.

Simply call 0191 6251221 and we’ll introduce you to one of our start up solutions advisors who will identify your business support needs and connect you to a wide range of experts, workshops and more. Durham StartUps (part of Enterprising Durham Framework) is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund until March 2025.

Bookings are now open for our next series of Community Development workshops which will take place from September to December.

These workshops are based on topics we regularly receive enquiries about and include topics such as safeguarding, governance, completing funding applications and volunteer management. 

OASES is looking to recruit a part-time Food Durham Coordinator to deliver the National Lottery funded Food Durham Initiative on behalf of OASES and the Food Durham Partnership.  

For an application pack please contact: info@oases.org.uk or telephone: 03000 260535

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 3rd July.

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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Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document

We want your views on the Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to make sure new developments deliver the best outcomes for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document consultation

Closing Date: 14^th July

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Energy Efficiency, Renewables and the Historic Environment SPD (phase two)

Following on from our initial consultation last year (October to December 2023), we want your views on the amended Energy Efficiency, Renewables and the Historic Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Energy Efficiency, Renewables and the Historic Environment SPD consultation (phase two)

Closing Date: 14^th July

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Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (phase two)

Following on from our initial consultation last year (October to December 2023), we want your views on the amended Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to promote good shopfront design, restoration, and refurbishment.

Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document consultation (phase two)

Closing Date: 14^th July

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Non-Designated Heritage Asset Supplementary Planning Document

We want you views on the Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance on identifying non-designated heritage assets.

Non-Designated Heritage Asset Supplementary Planning Document consultation

Closing Date: 14^th July

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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

County Durham is brimming with potential, from its rich industrial heritage and stunning natural landscapes to its thriving business community and world-leading innovation.

Business Durham want to hear from the people who know and love County Durham best – you!

Please share your thoughts on what makes County Durham unique, and let your voice shape the future of County Durham!

Closing Date: 1st July

Age UK County Durham are currently working on a project to engage with adults over 50 years, predominantly 50 - 69 year olds. 

They have a Chapter 50 survey running throughout June to help them improve their services and would like to reach as many adults over 50 as possible. 

Closing Date: 1st July