In November we are launching a bi-monthly newsletter highlighting health and wellbeing news, with useful information for our colleagues and partners.

If your work connects with health and wellbeing in some way, there’s nothing for you to do except wait for it to hit your inbox (there’ll be an option to opt out if you decide it’s not for you).  

The first issue will be out in November (with the next issue due January). You can send any health and wellbeing news you would like including to helen.brown@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk 

The Charity Commission has launched the new Annual Return for 2023 (“AR23”). The questions reflect changes made following a formal consultation with charities and the public.  

The new return is available to charities via the My Charity Commission Account service. It introduces a revised set of questions that will be used by charities for their financial years ending in 2023 and in subsequent years.

This fully funded online workshop is aimed at trustees and staff from voluntary organisations across County Durham who want to do their bit to become ‘greener.’

We are pleased to be working in partnership with NCVO to host an online North East Assembly for voluntary sector organisations across the region. Both NCVO member and non-member organisations are welcome to attend.

At this event, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Meet and network with neighbouring voluntary organisations
• Share best practice, experiences and ideas
• Talk directly to NCVO staff.

This online event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 1st November from 9.30 - 12.00.

This meeting is open to representatives of all community buildings across County Durham. 

At this meeting, we will be joined by Laura Dobson from the Civil Contingencies Unit at Durham County Council and Emily Hunter from County Durham and Darlington Local Resilience Forum.

They will discuss how you can prepare for emergencies for your household, and the role of community buildings during emergencies, with a particular focus on power outages.

We will also be joined by Glenn Reffin from Lands Village Hall who will speak about his personal experience of preparing for emergencies and the work that the hall has done to become more resilient to future incidents.

We are delighted to be working with County Durham Community Foundation to run a series of virtual information sessions on some of their specific funds available to voluntary and community groups across County Durham.

In the sessions they will share information on current funds available to apply for and take a look at the application process.

On 13th November from 1.30 - 2.30 the session will focus on the Belmont Fund, Organisational Sustainability Fund and Household Support Fund - book your place here

On 4th December from 1.30 - 2.30 the session will focus on the Wind Farm Community Benefit Funds and others - book your place here

The British Red Cross have designed free educational sessions for adults to connect with others, build confidence and learn practical skills and ways to cope in emergencies.

The workshop topics include First Aid, Adapt and Recover from Adversity and Supporting Connections.   Alongside these workshops is access to a toolkit to support the sessions and encourage self-kindness:

The link to the toolkit can be found on the QR code or click here

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Red Cross Education to offer a free Adapt and Recover from Adversity workshop. This online workshop will reflect on how challenges have impacted individuals and help build practical and emotional skills to help adapt and recover when faced with crisis.

This workshop gives you practical and emotional strategies to build resilience and recover from challenges. It includes interactive activities, group discussions, and opportunities to reflect and share personal experiences. The workshop will help you:

• improve your ability to cope with change and transition during times of adversity
• acknowledge and appreciate your own and others' experiences during challenging times 
• feel confident to move forward with your life positively.

The workshop will be held on Zoom on 9^th November at 10.00am until 11.30am.  to book a place please contact: info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

First Aid Workshops

The British Red Cross have designed an interactive First Aid workshop that can be delivered online or face to face, and be adapted to the needs of the group.

The session will equip individuals with the skills to help someone in a first aid emergency.

It will help you to:

• perform essential first aid skills using every day object.
• build confidence and willingness to help in a first aid emergency.
• assess and manage risks to make informed choices when helping others.

If you are interested in booking Red Cross Education to deliver First Aid sessions for your group, please get in touch with Nikki Willis on 07803 013232 or email NWillis@redcross.org.uk

Consultation on budget proposals for 2024/25 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2025 - 2028

Have your say on budget proposals for 2024/25, as well as on how Durham County Council meet the financial challenges they face over the next four years.

Closing date 20th October

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Polling District and Polling Places Review 2023

Every five years, Durham County Council must legally complete a review of their polling districts and polling places. The next scheduled review must be completed by 31 January 2025 and will include proposed changes to Parliamentary boundaries which are being reviewed for the next UK Parliamentary General election.

Closing date 30th October

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Corporate Enforcement Policy

Have your say on Durham County Council's revised Corporate Enforcement Policy which outlines how they administer and enforce a range of legislation across a variety of services which helps to protect their residents' health, safety and welfare, prevent crime, improve the environment and support the local economy.

Closing Date 26th November