We are delighted to be launching our first ever podcast to celebrate Trustees' Week.

We will give you an insight into what is involved in being a trustee for DCA.  We have chatted to our Chair of the Board of Trustees Jan Worters and Trustee Linda Bird who talk about their involvement with DCA and the wider voluntary and community sector in County Durham. 

Listen and find out why they became involved with DCA, their roles within the board and their views on the future of DCA. 

We are planning to run a series of podcasts featuring different guests and topics and would love to hear your feedback - please email katie.baggott@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

Keep an eye on our social media pages for our podcast release on 1st November or please search for 'Durham Community Action podcast' on Google, Spotify or Apple podcasts from this date.

This meeting has been arranged as part of Trustees' Week to discuss Funding and Sustainability. 

As the coronavirus restrictions are lifting, many charities and community groups are thinking about how they adapt their services to provide help and support to those in need across County Durham through the new normal and how to make themselves sustainable.

It will allow trustees and staff from charities and community groups to come together to share thoughts and ideas as we support each other through the next stages of the pandemic. 

We are excited to announce that we will be launching our new Facebook group during Trustees' Week. The group will aim to connect representatives of community buildings across County Durham including village halls, community centres and church halls. It will be a great opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and support each other.

Keep an eye for more details in the first week of November! 

Community Halloween events are a great opportunity to raise awareness about food waste and how important it is to avoid it. Food waste is a big contributor to the climate emergency and Halloween events are an excellent way of introducing what practical steps people can take to help avoid it.

Whether you’re getting pumpkins from a local farm or from the supermarket, they are all food and the carvings and seeds can all be used to share that important message.

The next session of Food Durham and DCA’s Community Good Food Network will explore how community organisations, the County Council and larger charities can work together to support communities through the difficulties around food in the coming winter. However, importantly, it will also discuss also how we can support those communities to move beyond food aid and to become more resilient around food and other key issues.

Speakers will include Mary Readman from Durham County Council who leads on the poverty agenda, Margaret Nelson from the Trussell Trust and Vic Harper from That Bread and Butter Thing.

As heating bills and living costs rise, a County Durham charity has launched an appeal to help those facing a winter of hardship.

County Durham Community Foundation has begun the Poverty Hurts Appeal to raise funds that will support local families, individuals and senior citizens on the breadline this winter. Donations will help reduce poverty and its causes: and help make sure no-one has to choose between heating and eating.

Businesses and individuals new to the Foundation can also boost their donation with a match funding offer of 50p for every £1, up to a donation total of £1,000.

Chief executive Michelle Cooper said:

“The statistics around poverty in our communities are just brutal, but I know that behind each number is a story of suffering that’s even worse. Our hope is that the Appeal will being some crucial support and relief to families and the elderly as we approach the winter months. It’s never too late to turn things around.”

The VCAA (VONNE Climate Action Alliance) have launched the Going Green Together campaign! 

After 10 intensive weeks working with SIDE Labs and di:ga Communications on Catalyst's Development programme, the VCAA have developed a web-tool to help organisations take their first climate action steps and share their action with others. 

The website also provides more information about the VCAA, learning resources and the opportunity to read their news, subscribe to their newsletter and join their MeetUp group for future events and meetings.  

It would be great if you could visit the Going Green Together website and share any feedback by emailing hello@goinggreentogether.org.

Data from the Money & Pensions Service shows that 9 in 10 UK adults don’t find it any easier to talk about money during the pandemic, or don’t even discuss money at all. Money causes the biggest strain on couples’ relationships. (Relate, 2017) By age 7, children’s attitudes to money are already developing.

Citizens Advice County Durham are running some informal information sessions during this week at Pelaw View Community Centre (DH1 2EH). The sessions are aimed at local people aged 16-24 or their families. Places are limited, if you would like to attend one of the sessions please contact Jacqui : Jacqueline.thompson@citizensadvicecd.org.uk