September 2015 Newsletter

Transcription

1 September 2015 Newsletter Let s Create Launches The Let s Create Commissioning Scheme is available to creative initiatives in East Durham, with applications open for between 500 and 2,500. The Scheme was recently launched at an event at Shotton Community Centre. Nikki Locke, Head of East Durham Creates, said: Let s Create is about people shaping arts and culture in their own area. We d love to hear people s ideas of what they want to happen and how they want to get involved. Malcolm Fallow, CEO of East Durham Trust who as the community partner in East Durham Creates Consortium will oversee applications from community groups said: This is a tremendous opportunity for local people to contribute to increasing participation in the arts and I m confident that the community will take full advantage. For more information on the Let s Create Commissioning Scheme turn to page 5 or visit the funding section of the website. Keyboard Champions is up and running! On Thursday 20th August we welcomed 12 new volunteers as part of our new venture funded by Comic Relief. The project will seek to help local people who may be classed as digitally excluded to improve their financial position through the use of IT. The new team of volunteers were given basic details of how they can help disadvantaged people and introduced to key stakeholders and partners. Feedback from the day was very positive from all involved. Paula Snowdon the newly appointed Project Co-Ordinator said It was fun and informative day and marks the start of an exciting project to help those who need it most For more information on Keyboard Champions contact Paula Snowdon on

2 Welcome to the latest edition of our Newsletter, I hope you find the contents both interesting and informative. At the time of going to press we have much to be proud of and encouraged by here at the Trust. I reflect on the recent securing of funding and support from various third parties which I believe reflects the continued confidence of others in our capacity to address the specific problems faced by the people of East Durham. However, we are well aware that the current position in relation to public spending and the local economy in general is a clear indication that our work will continue to be of critical importance to local people and community groups at large. Here at East Durham Trust we seem to live in that contact state of being lifted by the incredible support of Trustees, of Funders and local people in general, only to be subjected to the reality check that is the daily evidence local people in need. Perhaps the most poignant example of this is the increased demand for Food Parcels during the summer months when many families who rely on schools to contribute to feeding of their children are hit by the six week impasse of course the lift comes from witnessing the constant donations of food from local people and the countless hours of volunteer time that our activities receive. I am sure that together we can continue to ensure that there are more ups than downs! -Malcolm Fallow Thank you for your continued support. Trust Celebrates Volunteering Award East Durham Trust has become one of the North s only recipients of the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation from the National Council for Volunteering Organisations. The Trust has managed the local volunteer centre since 2007 and has placed hundreds of local people into volunteering placements ranging from assisting in charity shops to coaching sports teams and befriending the elderly to making up food parcels. A Message from the CEO As part of the volunteering brokerage service the Trust also works exclusively with other local groups in finding volunteers to support their needs and carries out the vital additional services such as carrying out DBS checks where necessary. Chief Executive Malcolm Fallow is delighted with the award and said The receipt of this recognition is down to the hard work of staff and of course the continued community spirit in East Durham that ensures people keep coming forward for the good of others. Chairman of East Durham Trust Alan Miller officially recognises the new award. For more information on volunteering opportunities see page 5. 2

3 Opportunities in the Community Creative Socials The Trust has funding to support one-off local events that help to engage people in the Arts. Typically a Creative Social will last around three hours and can take place any time of day. It will involve a community venue, local artistic talent, eating tasty food and getting involved with art. Look out for Creative Socials near you soon. Alternatively if you are a community venue and would like to host a Creative Social get in touch. Remember there is only a limited number of events that will take place so get in touch now! For more information contact Jess Watson on or jess.watson@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk Colour Your Life The alternative way to improving wellbeing. Colour Your Life is our social prescribing project and provides access to activities for the improvement of mental health and the development of emotional resilience. We use professional, experienced tutors who deliver artistic and informal learning activities whilst providing opportunities for friendship in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. All of our courses run from Community House in Peterlee. Best part? All courses are FREE! Courses listed below but visit the Colour Your Life page on our website for more info. Beginners Sign Language (adults) Mondays 1:30pm - 2:30pm Drawing & Painting (adults) Tuesdays 10:30am - 12:30pm Healthy Living (adults) Tuesdays 1:00pm - 2:30pm Ecotherapy (adults) Tuesdays 10:00am - 12:00pm Arts & Crafts (adults) Wednesday 2:00pm - 4:00pm Family Arts & Crafts (adults and children) Thursday 3:30pm - 4:30pm Coming Soon: Sugar craft, upcycling, confidence building, memory books and lots more! Colour Your Life is funded by Durham County Council. For more information contact Haffezar (Fee) Khan on or haffezar.khan@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk 3

4 Forthcoming Events Below you will find details of a handful of events taking place in East Durham throughout September. More details on our website. Peterlee Helford Road Playing Fields Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September Save the Date! East Durham Trust s Annual Conference Thursday 12th November Details to follow This will be Peterlee s 43rd Show and there will be loads of entertainment for all the family to enjoy starting at 11am with Peterlee GT Brass Band. The Show will include a talent show, live music, rides, stalls and a firework display at 10pm on Saturday. There will also be a vintage fair taking place on the Sunday. The Future of the Libraries: Public Meeting Tuesday 8th September Blackhall Community Centre We will be hosting a second consultation meeting to discuss the potential of taking Blackhall Library into public ownership. This is now part of Durham s Big ask and has support from National organisation Locality so make sure to get yourself along and get your voice heard. Easington Colliery Heritage Day Saturday 12th September 10am-5pm A celebration of Easington heritage which begins at 10am with a musical parade from Ascot St. to the Welfare Park grounds. Children s heritage themed fancy dress procession, judged at 3pm. It will include live music, spoken word, local food, bar, film and photographic exhibitions, arts & crafts, Kids activities & rides. A Northern Soul disco will take place from 6.45pm-1.30am at the Easington Social Welfare Centre. Go and See: Darlington s Festival of Thrift Saturday 26th September As part of East Durham Creates Go and Sees we will be providing FREE transport and entry has been arranged for East Durham residents wishing to attend this incredible Family Fun Day with a twist including vintage clothing, upcycling, theatre, exciting stalls and more. Visit for more info. Spaces are limited so contact Jess on to put your name down today. For more information on up and coming events check out our website. 4

5 Funding More information on funding opportunities can be found on the funding page of the EDT website or contact Colin Jackson. Let s Create Commissioning Scheme run by EDT as part of the East Durham Creates CPP project. Designed to support artistic initiatives. Between 500 to Three deadlines: 15th September 2015, 17th November 2015 and 12th April HLF: First World War, Then and Now Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations to support community projects in the UK which explore, conserve and share the heritage of the First World War. Maximum Value: 10,000. Applications may be submitted at any time until Hadrian Trust (North East England) Grants are available to help social welfare and charitable organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North East of England, and particular focus is placed on groups working in specific fields (full list on website). Between 500 and 2,000. Deadline: 17th September Bupa UK Foundation Bupa is inviting not-for-profit organisations in the UK to apply for it s first funding round which is focused on Mid-Life Mental Health projects. Small grants up to 10,000, medium up to 50,000 and large grants over 50,000. Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 4th September 2015 Thirteen Group Grants recognising and valuing the work of community volunteers and their organisations. Small grants up to 250, medium grants up to 1000, large up to Deadline: Ongoing until 9th March 2016 If you would like to book a funding advice appointment please contact Colin Jackson. Jobs & Volunteering Volunteer Driver required Greenhills Community Centre, Wheatley Hill Mon-Fri 11-1pm Contact: Volunteering: British Red Cross, Home from Hospital Emotional support following hospital stay Contact: or check out BRC website Kitchen Assistant Horns Garden Centre at Shotton Colliery For details see Job opportunities on website Esh Group Apprenticeships Deadline: 31st August Contact: Rising Star on or enquiries@zenithr isingstar.com Volunteer: Sport Makers People who organise activities for people in the local community. Contact Catherine Watson on Homecare Care Worker Supporting people to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Contact Pinpoint on

6 Project Updates Job Clubs Thanks to funding from the AAP the Trust has been able to establish eight new community job clubs providing a locally accessible alternative for East Durham job seekers. Since our first Job Club opened in June over 100 individuals have benefitted with outcomes ranging from producing a CV to interview preparation. Dawdon Youth and Community Centre launch their Job Club! Early successes include eight local people securing apprenticeship places or jobs! Most of the Job Clubs welcome contact anytime, any day but programmed sessions with staff and volunteers on hand to offer support are as follows: WINGATE - Gully House Thursdays 10am to 12pm THORNLEY - Thornley Village Centre Fridays 10am to 12pm SOUTH HETTON Robin Todd Centre Tuesdays & Thursdays 1pm to 3pm PETERLEE Seascape Children s Centre Mondays 10am to 12pm SEAHAM - Dawdon Youth & Community Centre Tuesdays 10am to 12pm & Fridays 11am to 1pm WHEATLEY HILL - Wheatley Hill Children s Centre Mondays and Fridays 12:45pm to 2:45pm HASWELL MENCAP Lisa Dixon Centre Thursdays 10am 12pm SHOTTON Shotton IT Centre Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30am to 3:30pm For more information on Job Clubs visit our website or contact Joe Armstrong on or joe.armstrong@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk We also run a Job Club in Deaf Hill and Trimdon Station, overseen by Community Organiser Angela Watson. DEAF HILL & TRIMDON STATION Trimdon Station Community Centre Mondays 10am to 12pm For more info on this Job Club contact Angela Watson on angela.watson@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk 6

7 Keyboard FEED (Food Champions Emergency East Durham) To date the Feed Project has been able to support 4,500 people in our community. This is only possible through the continued generosity of the people of East Durham. Donations from the public, local businesses and partner organisations along with the continued dedication of our volunteers are what make the FEED project possible. Looking at the stats in June, July and August we have received over 700 referrals from a wide range of support service professionals for assistance for people in food crisis and of that total over 300 were children. Workers from Peterlee s Caterpillar Plant recently made a welcome collection for FEED. FEED CASE STUDY The summer has hit the FEED project hard so please DONATE TODAY! John* is an ex-serviceman who left the army to a full time job. John has a wife and three children and days after his wife gave birth to their fourth child he discovered the company he was employed by had gone into liquidation. With his other three children at home from school for the holidays, and a new baby to care for, John and his wife became quite desperate. They contacted the SSAFA for help who then contacted the FEED project. John and his family were supplied with an emergency food bag and one of our Welfare Champions is now supporting them with their benefits claim. *Name has been changed to protect the identity of the individual. For more information on the FEED project, to become a donation centre or to offer your time volunteering please contact East Durham Trust on

8 CREE Project Updates Continued September represents a watershed moment in the history of our Men s Shed project known as CREE. From September 18th the project will formally be delivered by Durham County Council Public Health who have taken the project back in-house as a result of financial pressures on the public sector. The Trust has managed the project for almost five years, establishing over 30 groups throughout the County and making a major contribution to Mental Health. The project has also gained recognition, attracting huge media attention and even winning national awards. Much of the success has been thanks to the time, effort and dedication of the CREE Champions based in the local community and we hope that the project will continue to flourish with their input under the new arrangements. In the meantime a huge thanks to everyone who has supported the project along the way! Welcome News From Scottish Power! Chit Chat During August we have had the welcome news that we have received funding from Scottish Power to enhance and increase our support to people having financial difficulty with fuel poverty. The support will allow us to recruit and train more volunteers and will concentrate on tariff switching, energy efficiency training and debt advice along the lines of the Debt First Aiders project. The Chit Chat telephone befriending service provides regular contact from our team of trained volunteers to people who are socially isolated or at risk of social isolation. We currently provide calls to over 30 people, three times during the week. As part of the Chit Chat service we have also been supported by MacMillan to provide Chit Chat calls for people affected by Cancer. If you would like to refer into the service, the service is FREE as we call you, or if your interested in volunteering we currently have a vacancy for a Chit Chat volunteer contact Colin Jackson for more information. 8

9 Keyboard Champions Debt First Aiders With East Durham having more than it s fair share of people experiencing problems with debt the Debt First Aiders project offers a welcome lifeline. Building on the success of our Welfare Champions project and once again funded through the East Durham Area Action Partnership the project has recruited and trained 20 volunteers and between them they have so far supported over 120 local people. Volunteers become Debt First Aiders, June 2015 The range of support given by the team of volunteers includes providing budget management advice and giving support to individuals in specific areas such as rent arrears, student loans, benefits claims and signposting to specialist services such as the Credit Union. DEBT FIRST AIDERS CASE STUDY Sam* used to work in the hospitality industry, but had an accident over ten years ago. As a consequence, his spine has deteriorated, and his lifestyle has changed. He now suffers from type 1 diabetes, and has a great deal of trouble controlling it. Sam has not left the house for over a year, as he is unable to use his mobility car due to the state of his feet. Sam is in receipt of a number of benefits. He has attempted to acquire anything his sons have asked for, incurring a current debt of over 12,000. Sam describes himself as a once proud man determined to give his kids (aged 22 and 18) anything they ask for and admits sometimes he doesn't eat so they can. Debt First Aiders advised Sam to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau and make an application for a Debt Relief Order, which at a cost of 90, freed him of the constant worry about these debts. Debt First Aiders continue to support Sam including assisting him in accessing the Credit Union. *Name has been changed to protect the identity of the individual. Would you like to access this service? Or do you know someone else who would benefit from a Debt First Aider? Contact Amy McKenna on or amy.mckenna@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk East Durham Creates: New Apprentice! We d like to welcome Daniel Brier who joins the East Durham Creates team as the new Business Admin Apprentice. He will be based in the East Durham Creates office whilst Courteney is based in East Durham Trust s office. Welcome to the project Daniel! You can reach Daniel on or stayintouch@eastdurhamcreates.co.uk 9

10 Meet the Team Malcolm Fallow Chief Executive Officer East Durham Trust Extension 206 Lindsey Wood Deputy Manager East Durham Trust Extension 215 Amy McKenna Project Co-ordinator Debt First Aiders Extension 204 Colin Jackson Community Development & Funding Officer East Durham Trust Extension 211 Angela Watson Community Organiser Joe Armstrong Project Co-ordinator APP Job Clubs Extension 210 Courteney Jones Administration Apprentice East Durham Creates Extension 208 Malcolm Fallow Chief Executive Officer East Durham Trust Jess Watson Project Co-ordinator East Durham Creates Extension 205 Michelle McCue Receptionist/Admin (Maternity Michelle Cover) McCue Receptionist/Admin (Maternity Cover) Paula Snowdon Project Co-ordinator Keyboard Champions Extension 207 Haffezar Khan Project Co-ordinator Haffezar Khan Colour Your Life Project (Maternity Co-ordinator Cover) Colour Your Life (Maternity Cover) Extension Extension Colin Jackson Community Development and Funding Officer And currently enjoying motherhood. Danielle Martin & Helen Wilson who are both on maternity leave. HOW TO GET IN TOUCH East Durham Trust Community House Yoden Road Peterlee SR 5DP T: F: Charity No Company No