Durham Community News August 2021

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Welcome to the August 2021 Edition

Community Buildings Update - Learning to Live with COVID-19

It has now been several weeks since the government implemented step 4 of the roadmap to recovery on 19th July.

Since then, many community buildings have reopened their doors and are starting to return to delivering activities and services in their communities.

The removal of the formal restrictions has had a mixed response from those who operate community buildings. Some have welcomed the changes and have felt confident in continuing to provide a COVID safe environment, whilst others have found it more challenging, especially as the number of positives cases was still rising at the time.

We are continuing to advise and support organisations to navigate the changes and help you to feel confident in your decision making and to reopen safely. We are happy to provide you with information, advice and support with any queries or concerns you may have.

If you have already been in contact with one of our Community Support Team, contact them directly or email info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

Online Share and Learn Network Meeting for Community Buildings - 16th September

Join us for our next meeting to discuss lessons learned from those community buildings that opened for summer activities and, for those yet to open, we will talk about your plans and what support you need to put these plans in place.

We will also be talking about the Hallmark Quality Mark for Village Halls and Community Buildings which recognises good practice.

Full details and book your place here

Community Buildings Support Fund

With the support of Durham County Council Area Action Partnership Budget, Durham Community Action and East Durham Trust are working in partnership to provide support to those responsible for the management of community buildings, as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and activities fully return to communities.

This project makes available a small grants scheme to help kick start recovery and build a stronger future by providing resources and capacity needed to ensure community buildings are safe and COVID secure,

Full details and how to apply for a grant can be found here

Visit our COVID-19 Community Buildings page

Changes to the rules on Self-Isolation

From Monday 16th August those who are double vaccinated against COVID-19 or are under the age of 18 will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified via NHS track and trace as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, although it is strongly advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible. There is no requirement to self-isolate while waiting for the results of a PCR test.

Being double vaccinated does not prevent people from catching the virus or becoming unwell, so the government continues to advise people to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limit contact with other people especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.

Those who test positive are still legally required to self-isolate in accordance with government guidance.

Further information about the changes

We are recruiting for a Community Development Officer

Would you like to support local communities and harness the power of voluntary and community led action?

If you have experience in working with community groups, volunteers and small local charities, then Durham Community Action needs you!

We are looking for an experienced community development practitioner who understands community led action and can take the demands and expectations from both voluntary and community sector organisations, and public bodies in their stride.

Find out more

Virtual Meet the Funder Session - Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland (funds covering County Durham)

This online session takes place on Thursday 30th September from 10.30 - 11.30am and is an opportunity to find out about their various funds which cover County Durham, how to apply and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Book your place

Day of Celebration and Action on Food and Climate

Community organisations and individuals are invited to put plans in place to take part in Sustainable Food Places’ Day of Celebration and Action on Food and Climate on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

The day is all about highlighting the role that ordinary people can play in choosing and promoting more climate friendly food, and Food Durham, the County Durham Food Partnership, is keen to encourage community organisations across the County to take part.

Community Good Food Network

The theme of Food Durham’s most recent Community Good Food Network event was linking community growing with community food provision.

We heard from some fantastic projects which shared some of the approaches and challenges they’ve experienced. You can download the two presentations: Rooted in Hull July 2021 and Hexham Fresh Food Bank or watch the video of the meeting below.

Watch the video

Autumn Training Workshops open for bookings

Our online workshops are currently fully funded and places are available to book up until December. The workshops aim to help voluntary and community organisations with Volunteer Management, Consultation and Engagement, Strategic Planning and Operational and Financial Management. Topics include Volunteer Recruitment, Community Engagement, Setting up a New Group, Understanding Safeguarding, Competing a Funding Application and more.

Visit our DCA Training page

Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership Practitioner Survey 2021

Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP) has opened its third multi-agency practitioner survey in County Durham with the aim of the Safeguarding Partners having a better and informed understanding of what good looks like in terms of safeguarding and working together and how this could be improved.

The responses to the questions in this survey are vital in assisting the DSCP to ensure that practitioners are equipped and enabled to work together effectively in order to safeguard children and young people and improve outcomes for children and families in County Durham.

The survey is intended to be wide ranging with engagement from as many agencies, services, departments and practitioners working with children and families in County Durham.

Complete the Survey

Digital Pathfinders programme for the North East is taking shape

Digital Pathfinders helps SMEs, charities and social enterprises across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland become more successful and resilient by adopting digital technology.

Workshops are planned for September around digital accessibility and making the most of, and getting, the right data. There is also the opportunity for one to one support around adopting digital.

If you are outside of the North of Tyne area and interested in the support the programme has to offer, or if your have digital expertise to offer programme delegates VONNE would be keen to hear from you; please email anne.fry@vonne.org.uk

Find out more about the programme

Free Training and Funding for New Woodlands

Landowners, farmers and small holders can access a package of practical and financial support to increase tree coverage in areas of County Durham.

Free training and funding are available to plant new woodlands and manage existing ones, through two partnership schemes.

People managing land within a 10-mile radius of Durham City, are being offered support through the Durham Woodland Revival Programme, which aims to create 81 hectares of new woodland, approximately the size of Durham City centre, by 2023.

Land managers in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and along the A68 corridor can take advantage of bespoke advice, woodland surveys, and grants through the North Pennines Woodland Project.

Find out about Durham Woodland Revival training opportunities

Police and Crime Plan Consultation

The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is designed to be the link between the public and the policing service which is delivered on their behalf. PCCs are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the Force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve. A key role for PCCs is representing and engaging with local communities to help deliver their policing priorities.

PCC Joy Allen has produced the Police and Crime plan for her term in office over the next three years that sets out her priorities for local policing for County Durham and Darlington.

The Police and Crime Plan is now out for consultation with local communities. By answering the survey, you will be able to have your say on local policing in your area

Complete the survey

News Highlights from across the sector

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