COVID-19 has had such a significant impact on organisations, and as they continue to reopen and recover from the pandemic it is clear that some activities and services are slow to return. 

With a reduction in income and the uncertainty of how long it will take for things to return to normal, many organisations are turning to grant funding to help cover a variety of costs. This includes essential costs like rent, utilities and funding for new activities and services, as a way of attracting new members.

Here at DCA we regularly get requests from organisations asking for help and support to find suitable funding opportunities and provide feedback on draft applications - we are very happy to help with this. If you are already working with one of our Community Support Team, please contact them directly or email info@durhamcommuntyaction.org.uk

You can also find information in the articles below on funding opportunities and forthcoming events. 

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.

With COVID-19 having had such a significant impact on the activities and services Community Buildings provide, this project fund will help to rebuild confidence and capacity of staff and volunteers as they reopen and emerge from COVID-19.

It 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.

County Durham Community Foundation are managing the Volunteer Support Fund which aims to support and strengthen voluntary and community organisations in County Durham in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Applications can be made at any time and organisations may apply for support to met one of the fund's key themes:

• to help re-energise volunteering capabilities to support overall organisational resilience
• to develop a structured and well-managed approach to volunteering
• to support in the recruitment and retention of volunteers
• to support volunteers to increase their skills and enhance their volunteering experience.

This fund aims to help communities start and encourage activities and events after pandemic restrictions made that so difficult. Support is available for cultural and community based events, helping them to be delivered in a COVID secure way. 

There is funding available for support of existing regular events here which is available until 29th September. 

Applications are also open for support of new community events/projects designed to bring communities and people together through cultural activity here

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. 

This meeting takes place on Wednesday 3rd November as part of Trustees' Week.

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. 

This meeting 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 looking for volunteers to support the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme at County Hall, Durham.

The programme will run until mid- December operating over 7 days a week. You will help healthcare staff to ensure that service users are supported in accessing their vaccination and their immediate aftercare. This is an exciting opportunity to play your part in protecting the community and saving lives.

The main aim of the role will be to ensure service users are where they are supposed to be and are ready for their vaccine, as well as providing reassurance. The role will focus on service user welfare, taking direction from staff and to be responsible for flow management of service users within and outside County Hall.

Allied Westminster are teaming up with The Village Halls Podcast to bring you their 'Wonderful Villages Photo Competition. Win up to £1,000 for your Village Hall and £500 for the photographer, plus other cash prizes. 

The theme is Britain's Wonderful Villages and they are interested in photos that capture a sense of village life and community spirit. 

The competition will run until 21st November.