Stepping towards social work - Inspired to help others A social work student reunites with the woman who inspired her
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Durham County News
Spring 2021
www.durham.gov.uk
Stepping towards
social work
Inspired to help others
A social work student reunites with
the woman who inspired her
Investing in our
towns and villages
A multi-million-pound investment is set
to breathe new life into our communities
Keeping well this spring
Top tips to care for your mind and body
County Record Office
Welcome to the spring edition of Durham County News
The past year has proved incredibly challenging for us all as we deal with the effects of the
coronavirus pandemic and I would like to start by thanking you for your efforts in helping to
stop the spread of the virus.
Despite these difficult times, help is at hand. In this edition of Durham County News, you can Councillor Simon Henig,
Leader of the Council
find a detailed pull-out highlighting the support that is available across County Durham.
Supporting those in need and keeping our essential services going remains a key priority through the latest restrictions.
You can read stories from our staff – in both frontline services and those who have been redeployed.
Recovery will be key to the future of County Durham and you can read about the steps we are taking as we work harder
than ever to ensure we bounce back stronger.
We are investing £25 million in our towns and villages to support the recovery of local communities. Our major Branch out into
your family tree
employment sites will help new and existing businesses grow, helping to create thousands of new high-quality jobs.
Then, there is the wide range of grants and support programmes to help businesses meet their current challenges.
And despite a need to refocus our priorities, you can also read about our continued commitment
to tackling climate change and efforts to make the county carbon neutral by 2050. Have you ever wanted to find out the secrets behind your grandparents’
Simon Henig old black and white photos? Could you be related to someone famous?
Many of us will have time on our hands at the moment, so it’s the
Inside... Pages 12-13
Social working
Pages 24-25
Supporting you
perfect opportunity to delve into the past and unlock your family history.
And Durham County Record Office is making it even easier to
Pages 4-7 through the unearth your roots, thanks to its online courses.
News pandemic
Page 19 If you’re unsure of what’s involved or For those who are more
Culture where to start when it comes to interested in searching
tracing your ancestors, the record online for family history,
Pages 28-29 office’s Family History Course could Branching Out: Online
Fostering be for you. Made up of three talks, Sources offers help in
which are booked individually, the choosing the best quality
course explores some of the sources resources.
Pages 8-9 Pages 30-31 family historians use and reveals
Economy and Pages 15-18 Green living and how our archives can help you. With Find out which sites suit
jobs Supporting Pages 20-21 Pages 26-27 climate change which areas of research
a choice of morning or evening
communities Health and Towns and sessions, the sessions offer the and uncover some useful
wellbeing villages chance to find out more about civil resources, some of which
registration, the census and parish are available for free.
Pages 22-23 registers.
Branching Out:
LA7 BeatCovidNE
The Family History Course Online Sources Each talk costs
Pages 10-11 takes place on the following takes place on £5 per person.
Support for dates: Thursday, 15 April
business All courses are
Wednesday, 14 April available on a morning,
Civil Registration from 10am to 11am,
Front cover: Social work student Danielle Richardson reunites
with social worker Kathrine Grant. Look out for extra content… You can now view extra content Wednesday, 21 April and on an evening
wherever you see this icon by going to www.durham.gov.uk/dcn The Census from 6pm to 7pm.
If you live in the Durham County Council area
and haven’t received a copy of Durham County Wednesday, 28 April
News at your home address, please contact us.
Durham County News is written and designed by Durham County To book, visit
Council, printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd and distributed by Smart Parish Registers https://recordofficeshop.durham.gov.uk
To contact the editorial team, call 03000 268 059 Distribution Services Ltd and Royal Mail. It costs 16p a copy.
or email durhamcountynews@durham.gov.uk When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it.
2 3
Contact us: News News
£70 million council house programme
gets go ahead
Plans for the first part of a £70 million five-year plan to build 500 new homes
for rent in County Durham have been given the go ahead.
The first phase will see around 155 homes built in seven locations across the
Bus station receives £3.6 million
Visit our website county on council-owned land as part of a new era of council housing in the funding boost New coastal community
to use online services area. hub and café
Work to create a modern and vibrant new bus station for Durham
24 hours a day The new developments will focus on rented bungalows for older people. City is now underway after a multi-million pound funding package Work has begun on a new coastal
7 days a week This is due to the number of older people currently living in unsuitable was approved. community hub in the county.
www.durham.gov.uk/ accommodation.
doitonline Phase 1 is made up of sites in Brandon, Bridgehill, Burnhope, Ferryhill, Murton, Following a successful bid to the North East Join Transport Committee, Working with the Heritage Coast
New Kyo and Seaham. we have been allocated £3.6 million towards the scheme, which will Partnership, we have invested £250,000
support the county’s economic recovery from the pandemic. and secured £1.35 million funding from
If you need to phone us, call The new bus station is expected to open in late 2022. the government’s Coastal Community
For more information, please visit Fund for the new hub at Crimdon.
Customer Services
03000 26 0000 Multi-million-pound investment in services www.durham.gov.uk/durhambusstation The hub will include a café, toilets and a
community space in a modern,
8.30am - 5pm (Monday-Thursday) Wide ranging plans to invest more than £112 million in frontline services and environmentally friendly building.
major development projects in County Durham, have been approved. School transformed into community space
8.30am - 4.30pm (Friday) The space will provide a place for
The investments are outlined in our Medium Term Financial Plan, which sets out A former primary school has been given a new lease of life after people to learn about the unique wildlife
Out of hours emergency service being converted into a multi-purpose community hub.
our spending plans and priorities for 2021/22 to 2024/25. on the coastline and discover ways to
available.
Despite the challenging financial climate, made worse by the impact of the Our construction services team revamped the site at Sherburn Hill so help protect it in the future. Schools and
For social care and independent coronavirus pandemic, we have made investment possible through our careful that it can be used as a community centre and a dedicated space for community groups will also be
living enquiries or adult and management of resources to support the county’s recovery. people with learning difficulties. The centre also offers a café, events’ encouraged to visit.
children’s welfare issues: space and disabled access.
The plans include £7 million in Council Tax Support and funding to help The hub supports the National Lottery
Social Care Direct/Children’s vulnerable residents via our Area Action Partnerships (AAPs). Find out more at www.durhamcommercialservices.co.uk Heritage Fund’s SeaScapes programme.
First Contact Service
An additional £12 million of revenue spending next year will include more It is hoped that the new building will be
03000 26 79 79 money for roads, fixing potholes and winter maintenance; climate change ready to welcome visitors this summer if
initiatives; sprucing up our local communities and employing neighbourhood SeaScapes project set to make waves coronavirus restrictions allow.
wardens; and support for the most vulnerable residents.
@DurhamCouncil Work has begun on a £5 million project which will benefit coastal For more information, visit
Schemes worth £88 million have also been added to our ambitious capital durhamheritagecoast.org
communities in County Durham, South Tyneside, Sunderland and
/durhamcouncil programme.
Hartlepool.
linkedin.com/company/
The SeaScape project, which is part funded by the Heritage Lottery
durham-county-council
Coronavirus - advice and support Fund’s Landscape Partnership programme, will deliver 23 coastal Heritage Coast
Durham
/DurhamCouncil projects over the next four years, including many on the Durham Coast.
Coronavirus is a rapidly evolving situation – keep up-to-date with
/durham_county_council developments by reading the latest Government guidance at As well as improving public access to beaches, the project will explore
www.gov.uk/coronavirus the heritage hidden beneath the waves, creating ‘snorkel safaris’, to
produce a virtual reality wreck diving experience and offer opportunities
Please ask us if you would like this document Find NHS information at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 for residents and visitors to enjoy being on and in the sea.
summarised in another language or format.
Braille Audio
You can also find information about the impact on council services, along Interpretation and access works are taking place at Seaham Marina.
Large print
with the current restrictions and support for residents and businesses in the Many more community projects are also planned for people to take part
durhamcountynews@durham.gov.uk county, on our website at www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus in once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
03000 268 059
Visit www.exploreseascapes.co.uk to find out more.
4 5
News News
Council tax discounts Greta and the Giants
Did you know that council tax bills can Children who received a free book as part of
be reduced for people who suffer from a Durham Book Festival can now delve deeper into
severe mental impairment? the story, thanks to a new set of online resources.
If you have been diagnosed by your doctor as suffering from a More than 17,000 free copies of Greta and the
condition or illness that is classed as a severe mental Giants were handed out through libraries, primary
impairment or if you care for someone who does, you may be schools, nurseries and childminders across County
entitled to receive a reduction or exemption on your council Durham as part of the festival’s Little Read initiative.
tax.
To support the scheme, our Education Durham team and Durham Music
This can include people who suffer from illnesses such as
Take part in Census 2021 Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s or other similar
Service have created a range of learning resources to accompany the book.
conditions as well as those with severe learning difficulties. And author Zoe Tucker was so impressed, that she agreed take part in a live
Households across County Durham are being Facebook session and is also helping develop the resources even further.
Those who are eligible and live alone, do not pay any council
asked to take part in Census 2021.
tax, while those living with another person qualify for a 25 per Mosaic makeover
Visit www.durhambookfestival.com
Run by the Office for National Statistics, the cent reduction.
census is a once-in-a-decade survey that provides A mosaic telling the story of a
To find out more visit www.durham.gov.uk/smi Durham City park has been replaced
the most accurate information about people and
households in England and Wales. after being damaged by bad
Discounts are also available for anyone who lives alone, weather.
The findings will be used to understand the needs residents with severe disabilities, students, student nurses,
of County Durham as well as the wider country. Volunteer group Friends of Wharton
apprentices, National Traineeship trainees and anyone whose Park, who maintain the park’s
It allows organisations including central property is exempt from council tax.
government, local councils and health authorities, community garden, arranged for the
to plan and fund public services such as transport, If someone has moved out of their home permanently to artwork to be recreated and moved to
education and health. receive care in a hospital, residential care home or a supported another area of the site after it was
housing scheme or hostel, they may also be entitled to a ruined by heavy rain.
To complete the census, and find out how you discount or exemption on their property. Find out more at
can get help to do so, visit www.census.gov.uk www.durham.gov.uk/counciltaxdiscounts The renovated mosaic remains true to
or call 0800 141 2021. the original piece and features a
selection of images telling the story of
the park, including a Davey lamp and
the city’s viaduct.
More funding to support
Register for May businesses New The artwork is mounted on a wall
in the park and the group are
elections Grants of £10,000 and over are available for projects that
community hoping to run craft workshops in
County and parish council elections help businesses and individuals to develop and grow. garden the future to recycle leftover
glass from the old mosaic.
are due to take place in May, along
with the election of a new Police,
The North and South Durham Community Led Local grows
Development (CLLD) initiatives are offering the grants after
Crime and Victims’ Commissioner for receiving an extension for their European Regional A love of the outdoors has blossomed at a village primary
County Durham and Darlington. Development Fund projects. school, thanks to a new community garden.
If you wish to cast your vote, you Recent awards have included Business Boost by the Durham Developed by staff and pupils between coronavirus lockdowns,
must make sure that you are based Finchale Group, offering advice and training to the garden at Bearpark Primary School has provided pupils with an
registered to do so. You may also businesses, and Durham Business Growth Grants by Umi Ltd, opportunity to spend time in the fresh air and learn some life skills.
want to consider applying for a offering small grants to existing businesses. The children worked with the school’s caretaker and volunteers to plant
postal or proxy vote so that you don’t Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/CLLD trees and bulbs, donated by local suppliers. They are growing their own
have to attend a polling station. produce and spending time caring for the school chickens.
Visit www.durham.gov.uk/elections The school would like to hear from anyone with any gardening expertise
for more information. who would like to volunteer their time or equipment to support the
community garden. Email bearpark@durhamlearning.net
6 7
Economy and jobs
Need some advice?
The National Careers Service offers
Employment support free advice and information, whatever
stage you are at in your career.
For help exploring different careers,
The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many learning opportunities or setting new
businesses, with the result that people across the country career goals, call 0800 100 900
have either lost their jobs or seen a reduction in their hours. or visit
For those in County Durham who have lost out, there is www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
plenty of support available to get back into work.
Support for young people Opportunities for all
Integra 61.
Young people in County Durham who We are thrilled to have been
are not in education, employment or
training, can access support from
awarded a place in the
government’s Top 100
Creating more
DurhamWorks.
The programme, which is delivered by
Apprenticeships Employers list.
Made up of employers from the and better jobs
the council and partners, has helped public and private sector, the list
thousands of 16 to 24-year-olds celebrates outstanding Long-term efforts to create thousands of new high-quality jobs in County Durham are
across the county, including Tallitha apprenticeship employers in starting to produce results. Although the pandemic continues to prove challenging for
Walton. industries such as engineering, businesses, there is much to look forward to this year as our major employment sites
banking, healthcare, retail, local continue to help new and existing businesses flourish and grow.
Tallitha, who is 21, reached out to
government, accountancy and
DurhamWorks in October last year. Jade Business Park, the £200 million manufacturing permanent jobs. A new Costa Coffee drive-thru
the charity sector.
With a passion for IT, she was referred and distribution site that’s set to create over 2,500 facility opened in December, creating 15 jobs. Citrus
to its partner RAW Digital Training We currently have 238
Business admin apprentice Callum Etherington. jobs, has welcomed the arrival of its second tenant. Durham, which is developing Integra 61, has now
and secured an IT apprenticeship with apprentices working in a wide Innovative housebuilder, CoreHaus has now opened submitted plans for the delivery of the next phase of
the company, ITS, after just two weeks range of roles across our services and schools, in areas including its first UK manufacturing site at the fully serviced the development. Known as Evolution@Integra61,
of training. catering, accounting, construction, and business administration. development next to the A19, near Seaham. this will be made up of 24 small industrial units
Tallitha said: “I am now well into my Since the apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017, we have which have been designed to address the regional
At Sedgefield, NETPark, is moving forward with shortage of high quality industrial and warehouse
apprenticeship and it is the best thing taken on 458 new apprentices and 460 upskilling apprentices across
ambitious plans for its £5 million expansion. Plans to units in a prime location. Subject to planning
that has our services and schools – 918 in total across three years
design and build bespoke premises as park of the permission, the units will be ready to welcome
happened
Callum Etherington joined us in September 2020 as a business third phase of the north east’s only science and businesses by the end of the year. The development
to me. I see
admin apprentice in our bereavement services, studying for a technology park, will create up to 1,400 jobs. will also house hundreds of new homes, a hotel,
a career
Level 3 qualification in business administration. Callum is enjoying Twenty-six acres of development land have recently nursery, car showrooms and a further 1 million sq ft
ahead of
his apprenticeship, which involves arranging interments, memorial been opened up on the site, thanks to a £5 million of employment space, generating around 4,000 jobs.
me with a
applications, deed transfers and liaising with funeral directors and grant from the North East Local Enterprise
company In the next month, work will also begin on-site at
the general public. Partnership. Clear Futures, led by the Robertson
that Aykley Heads, in Durham, helping to deliver 4,000
“Starting my apprenticeship during the pandemic has meant that I Group, are hoping to design and build the state-of-
supports jobs at the new business park on the County Hall
DurhamWorks participant Tallitha Walton. am working from home, but it’s been surprisingly straight forward,” the-art facilities. Working alongside businesses, it
me.” site. After planning permission was secured in
said Callum. “My colleagues, line manager and college tutor are very will be drawing up plans to deliver high quality
To find out more about laboratory, office and warehouse space needed by December, the first phase of work will see the
supportive in making sure there’s a balance between working on the creation of 3,500 sqm of Grade A office space within
DurhamWorks, call 03000 262 930, individual science, engineering and technology
job and my course work.” a three-storey building to the north of the site.
email DurhamWorks@durham.gov.uk businesses.
or visit www.durhamworks.info Callum has recently been appointed to a permanent role in the team £6 million has been allocated from the Government’s
and will continue studying for his qualification. Plans to further develop the Integra 61development Getting Build Fund, and we are investing the
at Bowburn are also moving forward. The remaining £6 million. This will create up to 300 jobs
If you are interested in finding out more about apprenticeships with £215 million mixed-use logistics and manufacturing and stimulate private sector investment for the rest
us, visit www.durham.gov.uk park next to the A1(M) is already home to an of the site and help put County Durham firmly on
Amazon fulfilment centre, which has created 1,000 the map as a distinctive business location.
8 9
Support for business
Investing in people
and places
A world class destination
We’ve recently secured a £19.9 million investment into
Bishop Auckland from the Future High Street Fund.
The fund aims to support recovery from the
pandemic as well as helping to protect and create Bishop Auckland.
more jobs. It will help us renew and reshape Bishop
Auckland’s town centre and high street in a way that Stronger Town Board has been established to
drives growth, improves the experience for residents develop project proposals. The board’s vision is to
and businesses and ensures future sustainability. make Bishop Auckland a ‘world-class heritage visitor
Bishop Auckland has also been selected to destination of UK importance; a 21st Century
Seaham.
participate in the Stronger Towns Programme and bustling market town and service centre for the
invited to bid for up to £50 million in government whole of South West Durham and gateway to the
Supporting businesses, securing jobs grants.
In order to accelerate the regeneration of the town
Durham Dales’. To support this, we will be
developing new road infrastructure, creating new
workspaces and establishing Bishop Auckland as a
and ensure the impact is felt across the county, a digital 5G enabled town.
If the county’s economy is to recover from the impact of the pandemic, it is vital that we continue
to support businesses and sustain investment in the area. And we’re currently working harder
than ever to ensure we can bounce back stronger.
More for your money
Road to recovery We’re working to maximise the value of every pound
Businesses across the county can now benefit from our county, which are looking to invest in research and spent in County Durham as part of our Social Value
£5 million Durham Business Recovery Grant. Overseen development, can join the Durham Future Innovation and Local Wealth Building project, which will play
by our economic development arm, Business Durham, the Building programme. This is designed to help businesses an important role in economic recovery.
fund is aimed at those businesses developing credible unlock their innovation potential through a series of The aim of social value is that the economic, social
plans to meet the challenges the pandemic has caused events, masterclasses, workshops and practical sessions. and environmental benefits for communities should
them, by for example, developing new products or
We also provide support for start-up businesses through drive decisions about how contracts are awarded.
entering new markets. Businesses in all sectors can apply
for grants from £1,000 up to £40,000. Durham Ambitious Business Start-ups (DABS). The DABS For example, we recently appointed Esh Construction
programme offers two unique packages: one for those as our contractor for the new £10.6 million Bowburn
Companies can also access a Covid-19 Business Support who have a great idea but haven’t yet started their
The new £10.6 million Bowburn Primary School.
Primary School, and the company committed to
Brochure offering information on the support available business, and another for new entrepreneurs who have more than 40 per cent social value outcome in
including grants, business and digital support, innovation, recently set up their business. people and businesses as possible. We will be
County Durham for the project.
skills, recruitment, training and employee welfare. working with other major employers in the county to
Visit County Durham offers dedicated one-to-one Esh also employs 340 County Durham residents and ensure our collective buying and employing power
We also run a Covid Recovery Programme, giving micro
support, training and webinars for the county’s tourism has 450 County Durham businesses within its supply works for the county.
and small businesses one-to-one support sessions
businesses. Their Love Local campaign supports local chain. The firm is also one of only a few UK
focusing on developing marketing and sales plans. We are already a national leader in this area,
businesses to sell their products online, while the companies to have received the Queen’s Award for
Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity Through Social demonstrating high levels of spending in County
Meanwhile, small and medium companies in the #LoveDurham from your sofa campaign shines a light on
Mobility. Durham and across the North East, with 68 per cent
construction, health and ‘electech’ sectors across the the area’s tourism attractions through virtual content.
of our annual £530 million spend invested in the
Local wealth building, meanwhile, means working North East and 46 per cent in County Durham.
Find out more Training and support for tourism businesses – with residents, businesses and partner organisations
to create and retain wealth within communities. The County Durham Pound project, launched in
www.businessdurham.co.uk www.visitcountydurham.org September 2020, aims to build on this success to
Support for start-ups – www.durhamstartups.co.uk Love Local – www.thisisdurham.com The purpose is to maximise the value of every County drive forward recovery measures and accelerate our
Durham pound spent to ensure it benefits as many work to develop a more sustainable local economy.
10 11
Social working
Seeing Kathrine empower my nana
to live independently was incredibly
Inspired to help inspirational...
others The reunion was equally
emotional for Kathrine.
Danielle Richardson witnessed the positive
“I was overwhelmed when
difference social workers make to people’s
I received an email from
lives after her beloved nana, Betty, suffered
Danielle informing me
a fall in 2018. Now the mother-of-two is she was a student with
pursuing her own career in social work and our team,” said Kathrine.
has been reunited with the inspirational “I was saddened by the
social worker who opened her eyes to this news her nana had
rewarding profession. passed away but Danielle as
a little gir
l with Bet
ty.
There are many routes
overjoyed that her
When Danielle Richardson, 34, embarked on an MA in experience with myself and her into adult social work,
Social Work at the University of Sunderland last nana had inspired her to become a social worker. I from degree programmes
September, she had one clear goal in mind; to help believe my strengths are being an empathic listener,
people through their most difficult times. Two years understanding what clients like Danielle’s nana want to to apprenticeships.
previously, her nana, Mary Elizabeth Wiley, known as Danielle and Kathrine. achieve and striving to promote independence.
Betty to her friends and ‘Mother Hen’ to Danielle and her
“Danielle was also able to demonstrate this with her nana
sister, had fallen down the stairs and spent many weeks had lived in all of her life in Horden. She was worried that if
and I’m sure she will take these skills forward into practice
recovering in hospital. she accepted support, her choice of living at home could be
with other clients. I am looking forward to working with To find out more, visit
taken away from her, making it an upsetting time for her
Fiercely independent and happiest when looking after Danielle during her placement and wish her every success in
and her family. www.basw.co.uk/resources/become-social-worker
others, Betty was desperate to return to the home she her future as a social worker.”
Thankfully, these worries were eased when Durham County
We currently employ more than 180 social workers
Council social worker Kathrine Grant visited Betty in hospital
supporting adults across a range of specialisms, including
and put together a care package that enabled her to return
mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse and
home.
hospital discharge. The teams work closely with colleagues in If you’re interested in studying for a social
“Kathrine’s manner was absolutely perfect – professional yet the NHS as part of the county’s integrated approach to work qualification, visit
approachable – and her kindness was evident,” said health and social care. www.socialworkengland.org.uk
Danielle, from Hetton-le-Hole.
In 2020, the council supported 23 social work placements,
“My nana was born in her house and it was a source of providing opportunities for students like Danielle to get first-
comfort and pride for her. Seeing Kathrine empower my hand experience.
nana to live independently was incredibly inspirational and I
Due to the pandemic and the vulnerabilities of many clients,
knew it was something that I wanted to do too. There’s more information on mental health
processes have been adapted to help keep people safe,
“When my nana passed away in 2019 our whole family was including offering more virtual and telephone appointments. social work at www.thinkahead.org
heartbroken. I decided it was a transformational moment
“Working in a pandemic is challenging to say the least, but
and applied to do an MA in Social Work.
it’s amazing how resilient and creative people are in the face
“I was really specific when I made my request for my 100-day of adversity,” said Danielle. “It’s hard not having face-to-face
placement, as I really wanted be on a hospital discharge contact but having Teams calls and emails still makes me
team. I couldn’t believe it when I was placed in the same feel part of the team. Everyone has been incredibly If you’d like to work in children and young
team as Kathrine at Durham County Council. It was supportive and I don’t feel like I’m missing any learning people’s services visit www.gov.uk and search
wonderful to have the opportunity to thank her for helping opportunities.” ‘Step up to Social Work’.
en.
d daughter Ed my nana and my family and for inspiring me to go into such
nana Betty, sister Jayne an “I would strongly recommend anyone who is thinking about
ardson, left, with her
a rewarding career.” You can also find out more about the children’s
Danielle Rich
a career in social work to go for it. You’ll never look back.” sector at www.thefrontline.org.uk
12 13
NAT
Supporting communities
Think Careers in Care My
Wellness
App
There’s a broad
range of roles available
Live and On Demand
Classes from friendly
Supporting
in adult social care with great
opportunities for progression.
Care Academy offers a range of
fitness coaches from
DCC leisure centres
you through
remote training and development
programmes to suit people at every stage
in their career.
the pandemic
DCC staff preparing food parcels for vulnerable residents.
If you are interested in starting your career journey into
adult social care apply to the Care Academy today by visiting The coronavirus pandemic continues to prove challenging for us all but support is available for
www.durham.gov.uk/careacademyrecruitment those who need it. Whether you are self-isolating, having trouble managing your money or have
For more information on how to get the app, visit:
concerns about someone’s safety, help is at hand.
www.durham.gov.uk/careacademyrecruitment durham.gov.uk/fitnessclasses
@DurhamThriveActive
03000 260 222 facebook.com/CareAcademyDurham
Contact our Community Hub Victims of domestic abuse
If you’re self-isolating and don’t have family, friends or Domestic abuse affects more than 1.8 million people in
neighbours who can help, a list of local support groups England and Wales each year and cases can often rise
and organisations is available at www.durhamlocate.org.uk when households are under additional pressures.
You can also contact our County Durham Together And domestic abuse isn’t always physical – it is about
Community Hub for help with essential supplies, financial someone you know trying to control your life. It can be
Your first choice for housing in County Durham support or our Chat Together service if you’re feeling financial, psychological, emotional, or sexual – but there
lonely. Email communityhub@durham.gov.uk is no excuse for it.
or call 03000 260 260 between 9am and 5pm Monday to
Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on a Friday. We understand that making the first call for help is a big
step, but if you or someone you know is experiencing
More information is also available on our website at domestic abuse, help and support services are available.
www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help
We work with Harbour Support, a specialist domestic
abuse service that helps people in County Durham.
Financial help Contact them on 03000 202525
Coronavirus has left many people needing financial or email info@myharbour.org.uk
Available believe housing 0300 1311 999 support. If you’re struggling to pay your bills or are dealing
with debt, the best thing you can do is to ask for help. Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/domesticabuse
now Karbon Homes 0808 164 0111
We can offer support with debt advice, council tax
or via the government website at
www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
Livin 0800 587 4538 discounts and Discretionary Housing Payments. Our
Welfare Assistance scheme can also provide short-term
No bond North Star Housing 03000 11 00 11 help with living expenses to cover food, baby milk and
nappies, heating and hygiene products.
It’s more important than ever that people are safe
in our communities. If you see, hear or suspect
Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19money that an adult with care and support needs is being
www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk harmed, abused or neglected or you are worried
that a child or young person is being harmed,
please report your concerns.
Please remember, if you or someone you know
is in immediate danger, you should call 999. Contact Social Care Direct (for adults) or
First Contact (for children) on 03000 267979.
14 15
Supporting communities Supporting communities
Mental Health & Emotional Support Mental Health & Emotional Support
for adults in County Durham for children, young people & families in County Durham
This is a great starting point to help you access support Local Support National Support
Advice and self-help Connecting to local support One Point | 03000 261 111 KOOTH
Advice and practical support across all aspects of family life Free, safe, anonymous online support for young people aged 11+
NHS | www.nhs.uk Wellbeing for life | www.wellbeingforlife.net
www.durham.gov.uk/OnePoint www.kooth.com
Stressed, anxious or depressed? Or just want to feel happier? Helping you find what’s around you and how to make the most of it.
Your NHS is here to help. Call free for expert advice 0800 876 6887
Education & SEND Support Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families
Every Mind Matters ManHealth | www.manhealth.org.uk Support for children with special educational needs or disabilities Self-care to look after our own mental health
Find expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your Offering advice, peer workshops and a place to talk www.countydurhamfamilies.info www.annafreud.org
mental health and wellbeing 01388 320023
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters Humankind | 01325 731 160 Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
Talking Changes | www.talkingchanges.org.uk Health and wellbeing support for LGBT young people (15-24yrs)
Resources for schools and families
The Recovery College Online PA self-help, counselling and talking therapies service designed to www.humankindcharity.org.uk www.cwmt.org.uk
Providing a range of online courses and resources help anyone with common mental health problems
www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk 0191 333 3300 Investing in Children
A children’s rights organisation, creating spaces to be heard
Childline | www.childline.org.uk
Time to Change Hub A free, private and confidential service where children can talk
Mind | www.mind.org.uk www.investinginchildren.net about anything.
Resources from Mind can help find what’s right for you and your A local social movement aiming to change the way people think
family. and act about mental health
Rollercoaster Parent Support | 07415 380 040
www.time-to-change.org.uk Headspace
Helping parents to support children with mental health issues.
Rethink Mental Illness www.rethink.org
| Free tools around mindfulness and meditation
Offer online support and some local groups. Durham Locate | www.durhamlocate.org.uk www.headspace.com
Durham County Council | www.durham.gov.uk DurhamWorks | 03000 262 930
Helping you find support locally. Supporting 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training
www.durhamworks.info Public Health England
Helplines and Webchats Guidance on health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus
www.gov.uk
Shout | www.giveusashout.org Accessing specialist services Recovery College Online
Anxious? Worried? Stressed? Get 24/7 help from our team of Educational resources for people experiencing mental illness
Crisis Volunteers. Text 85258 NHS | 111 | www.111nhs.uk/supportlocally www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk MindEd
Answer questions about your mental health and find support locally. Safe and reliable advice about young people’s mental health
Samaritans | 116 123 | www.samaritans.org County Durham Together Hub www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk
The Samaritans are there to listen. 24 hours a day 365 days a year. County Durham Together Hub | 03000 260 260 Help when self-isolating/how to volunteer
Help when self-isolating/how to volunteer www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help | 03000 260 260 Young Minds
SANE 07984 967 708 www.sane.org.uk
| | www.durham.gov.uk Support for mental health during the pandemic
Sane and the SANEline offers one-to-one support for those times Children’s Social Care First Contact www.youngminds.org.uk
you feel you need it most. Community Floating Support Teams Report a concern about a child’s welfare
Offering services for people with mental health issues who do not www.durham.gov.uk/FirstContact | 03000 267 979 NHS | 111
Calm: Campaign against living miserably have a social worker or care coordinator to access support
Get medical help near you www.nhs.uk
Access the helpline to talk and find support. 03000 269 071 | www.durham.gov.uk/cfs CAMHS - Single Point of Access
5pm-Midnight 365 days a year
Community mental health teams for children Remember your local school and GPs are
0800 58 58 58 | www.thecalmzone.net Crisis Resolution and Intensive Home Treatment www.tewv.nhs.uk | 03001 239 296
Team
available to help.
TEWV Crisis Line Providing specialist treatments and assessments with a range of TEWV Crisis line | 0800 0516 171
24 hour service for people experiencing a mental health crisis professionals 24/7
You are not alone,
24 hour service for young people experiencing a mental health crisis
0800 0516171 03000 200 317 | www.tewv.nhs.uk www.tewv.nhs.uk
we can get through this together.
Remember GPs are available to help. If you are looking for more specific help.
You are not alone, we can get through this together. www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
mental-health-helplines County Durham
Clinical Commissioning Group
16 17
Supporting communities Culture
There when you need us
Keeping
Since the start of the pandemic, staff across Durham County Council have been working hard to
culture alive The East Durham
Dementia Friendly
Choir enjoy a virtual
maintain services and help residents and businesses when you need us most. Here are some of singing session at
Christmas.
the ways we and our partners have been supporting communities. Culture has always been vital
to County Durham. Not only
,522
does it enrich people’s lives
90k+
vulnerable residents contacted
14
children
500
council staff
and bring communities
together, it also plays a key
role in our economic
by the council prosperity. It attracts visitors
provided with holiday activities re-deployed to work on critical services
with food into our towns and villages and Hannah Goudie-Hunter, of Kitchen Zoo,
creates and safeguards jobs. supported the library service’s virtual
storytelling sessions.
142%
Care Connect has Sadly, the sector has been hit hard over the past year by the
responded to more than
900,000 coronavirus pandemic, with the restrictions resulting in the
increase in use of our
library eServices 26,800 calls
to the elderly and vulnerable households
pieces of PPE
distributed to the care sector
cancellation of events and the temporary closure of culture and
leisure venues.
Yet despite these challenges, we remain committed to culture and
Paul Hartley, left, and Neil Armstrong, wrote and directed Rottenchops’ Revenge.
Behind the scenes
recognise the vital role it will play in the county’s economic recovery
and long-term prosperity. We have been working hard to find new ways Although our venues have been closed,
work has been going on behind the
21,118 £3.6m
to inspire people and support the creative industry. By moving events
Care providers such as BRASS and Durham Book Festival online and creating new scenes to ensure they can offer an even
better customer experience when it is
contacted more than virtual events, including the Durham Festival of Food and Drink, we
39,100 have created new platforms for artists and traders to connect with the safe to reopen.
food vouchers available for community and
voluntary sector projects, with public, while offering much-needed entertainment and escapism. At Gala Durham, we are transforming the
issued to support children £3 million committed so far for
and young people between times offering advice and support Last summer, we teamed up with Durham University to present foyer, bar and box office areas. Empire
0 to 19 years old 598 projects On Stage: Online, a virtual theatre festival featuring shows created by Consett, meanwhile, has benefited from
local companies and performing arts groups. improvements to the
Other highlights included Rottenchops’ stage, lighting, backstage
Revenge, a series of festive films bringing the area, café and box office.
35,400 Fitness app
1,200+
magic of Gala Durham’s much-loved
Bishop Auckland Town
grants paid to launched with over pantomime into people’s homes, brand new
Hall has undergone a
1,500 users
businesses totalling radio drama Sunset On Tantobie and
£1.5 million makeover,
£149m The Christmas Tree, an exciting audio
hospitality and tourism businesses
provided with advice and support including the creation of a
adventure for children.
new café. And, at Durham
Virtual storytelling sessions organised by our Town Hall, restoration
library service also proved a big hit with work is underway to
6,772 122 Rough youngsters. More information about County
Durham libraries, including the Library Online
Durham Town Hall.
preserve the building and
its artefacts.
free car parking sleepers service, can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries
To stay up to date with the latest news
Our community arts team has also been busy developing innovative
23,151 households spaces made available for
provided with accommodation
ways to lift people’s spirits. Older people in the East Durham area, for from these venues visit:
have received hardship payments, NHS staff and other key workers www.galadurham.co.uk;
£3.9m
totalling example, can now enjoy a variety of online workshops, including
more than East Durham Dementia Friendly Choir, a weekly art group, reading www.empireconsett.co.uk;
group and a dance project all through the Artful Age project. To find www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk;
out more about community arts projects across the county, visit and
www.durham.gov.uk/communityarts www.durham.gov.uk/durhamtownhall
18 19Health and wellbeing
We’ve put together some top tips to help
Staying active
you take care of your mental health:
Spend time together in
through lockdown different ways
There are lots of ways to spend time with
your friends and family without having to
Contending with the cold weather on top meet in person. Chatting on the phone,
of lockdown restrictions, has meant finding video-calling and social media can remind you that you aren’t alone. There
the motivation to get out and get active are also lots of opportunities to join online clubs and virtual social events,
has been difficult. That’s why we are now or even play games with your friends online.
offering a series of virtual fitness classes
that people can join in with at home.
Taking care Recognise your
achievements
Keeping fit online of your mind We have all found new ways to
adapt over the past year. Take
as well as
We’ve teamed up with Technogym to offer a varied timetable of 10 minutes to list some of your
classes via the MyWellness app. There’s a mix of 100 pre-recorded successes, however big or
sessions ranging from gentle yoga to more active challenges – small. Perhaps you learned
and some of the sessions even feature staff from our own leisure
centres. your body how to cook a new meal,
home-schooled the children or
finished a task you’ve been meaning to do for a long time. Whatever it is,
Our instructors will take you back to basics so that you can
Many of us continue to feel be proud of your accomplishments.
exercise your way, at your pace and in your own time. Getting
worried, anxious or lonely as a
started is easy, all you need to do is: Health and wellbeing assistant Stephen Lowerson
has kept busy in his garden through lockdown result of the coronavirus Be kind to yourself
Step 1: Register online at www.durham.gov.uk/fitnessclasses
pandemic. Not only has our Remember that this situation is not permanent and if you are struggling
Step 2: Download the MyWellness app from your app store Start your active journey social contact been limited over with feelings of uncertainty, try to accept that you can’t control everything.
Step 3: Log in and get going the last year, but we have also Instead, focus your time and energy on what you can control.
Health and wellbeing development
If you have any questions, you can email CSVirtual@durham.gov.uk assistant, Stephen Lowerson, shares his faced disruption and
Instructors are also on hand to help via the Thrive Facebook page: three top tips to help take those first steps uncertainty. Maintain a routine
www.facebook.com/DurhamThriveAction towards an active lifestyle: Having a structure to your day helps you to avoid bad habits and boosts
In a recent survey by Public Health your mind. Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Fill
✔ Start small: aim for a 20 minute walk England, almost half of adults admitted your day with positive and meaningful activities, such as cooking, exercise,
every day, at your own pace. that their mental health and wellbeing reading and keeping in contact with your friends.
Movement made easy ✔ Try to introduce more variety as your had been negatively affected.
confidence grows. For example,
Look after your body
The pandemic has made it Perhaps you’re missing your family and
jogging, swimming or cycling. Our physical health has a big impact on how
especially challenging for the friends, worrying about your health
we feel. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals,
elderly and those with long-term ✔ Most importantly, find something and finances or feeling isolated and
drink enough water and exercise regularly.
health conditions to stay active. that brings you enjoyment and you’re lonely. It’s important to remember that
Avoid smoking or drinking too much alcohol.
more likely to want to do it again. it is OK to not feel OK. Staying at home
In order to support them, we have If you are staying at home, try exercising
can be difficult but it won’t always be
50 copies of the Movement Made indoors or taking part in an online class.
this way.
Easy DVD available on loan for
people who are unable to exercise outdoors or can’t get online to join a virtual a class.
If you’re feeling lonely and could benefit from a friendly conversation, you can contact our virtual community hub,
Produced by the Keep Fit Association, with help from both Sport England and National Lottery funding, the DVD has County Durham Together, on 03000 260 260 or email communityhub@durham.gov.uk
been designed to help improve fitness levels through gentle routines that will gradually improve your fitness levels.
There’s more information on specialist mental health support at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19mentalhealth
You can hire the DVD free of charge by calling the Books on Wheels library service on 03000 263789.
There are also tips to help you manage anxiety about coronavirus at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus
Organisations can also request a copy for their clients by emailing ebooksupport@durham.gov.uk
20 21LA7 BeatCovidNE
Staying vigilant,
sticking to the rules
Jaswinder (Jas as he’s known to his
“The one thing we can control is how
friends) Singh is a bus driver for
we behave. I’ve always been vigilant
Go North East. He lives in Seaham with
about following the rules and I think
his wife Kamal and six-year-old son it has become second nature now.
Mann. He’s taking part in the Popping on a mask when I go to a
#BeatCovidNE campaign to share his local shop or into work, as well as
experiences as a key worker during the sanitising my hands and social
pandemic and to thank others for distancing, just feels natural now. By
everything they are doing to help curb doing this, we are all in effect acting
the spread of the virus. like we have coronavirus. By working
together in this way, we can all beat
Here he talks about coronavirus and
this by bringing the daily number of
how months of tough restrictions have
cases and deaths down.”
affected him and his family.
Looking after my
Adjusting to the new normal Homeschool challenges mental health
“I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how much we “I home-school my six-year-old son on my days off work, “The other thing I have learnt after
have all adjusted to the changes coronavirus has so I know first-hand how tricky it is having the kids at having the virus and having to isolate
brought into our lives. At the start of the pandemic, it home, but seeing how quiet the buses are, I can is how important it is to stay positive
felt so strange to stay home, wear a mask, constantly understand how the school closures can limit the spread and look after your mental health.
wash your hands and social distance – but it all just feels in many ways. Now I’m feeling more myself after the
so normal now. virus, I’m enjoying being able to
“Adapting to home-schooling online has been quite a
exercise again. The endorphins from
“Before coronavirus, Kamal and I always had so many learning curve for us parents. I think kids are resilient and
exercise just give you a real boost
plans to entertain our six-year-old and keep him busy –
but now we love spending time at home, doing simpler
Mann is doing brilliantly with the change. Although it
was tricky at the start, we can navigate things online a
and I would encourage everyone to
find a way of getting a little bit of
“Thank you
things like playing Snakes and Ladders together. We
enjoy the slower pace and spending proper time
lot better now and have found a bit of routine. These are
not normal times and we are all just doing our best.”
activity into their day to help them
stay strong and resilient.” County Durham
for not letting
together as a family, just the three of us.
Coronavirus wiped me out Hope on the horizon
“At work at Go North East, we have plenty of guidelines
in place to keep us safe – for example at the Bus
Interchange we all wear masks and follow the one-way
“I was really unfortunate over Christmas and tested
positive for coronavirus, which completely wiped me
“With news of the vaccine roll-out, it
does feel like there is hope on the
Covid win”
system. One thing I have noticed recently is that the out. I was so lucky not to need hospital treatment, but I
horizon. Just like everyone else, I do
buses are much quieter since the schools have only been was taken aback by how much the exhaustion caused by Jaswinder Singh, Bus Driver
miss a normal life. One of the things I
open for key worker children. It shows how limiting the the virus would affect me, as I’m usually so fit and
miss the most is watching Liverpool
number of children in schools has an impact at a wider healthy.
FC play at my local pub over a pint.
level.”
“The experience of having coronavirus made me realise All we need to do in the meantime is
that one of the worst things about this pandemic is the to follow the guidelines together,
We enjoy the slower pace unknown. None of us knows how long this virus will and take care of ourselves, to get to Staying at home keeps
key workers safer.
continue to affect our lives. None of us knows if we will the other side of this. By acting like
and spending proper time we have coronavirus and following
catch it, and if we do test positive, how our body will Help us get to the future we
together as a family, just the respond to it. We can’t even be certain that we don’t the rules, I know there is light at the all want at BeatCovidNE.co.uk
three of us. have coronavirus at any given time, as one in three end of the tunnel for us all.”
people are asymptomatic.”
22 23Suppor ting you
Financial support
Supporting Staff in our finance teams have played a vital role in supporting vulnerable people and
businesses through the pandemic. As well as working to maintain their usual services, the
you through team has been working tirelessly to process support to those in need, thanks to support from
colleagues in customer services, awards and our enforcement and support team.
the pandemic ✔ More than 60 staff
have been involved
✔ The Business Rates and
Support team has
✔ The assessment and
awards team, which
in supporting the distributed £149 million in would normally
Staff from across the council have welfare assistance team grants to support businesses administer housing benefit and
been working tirelessly to support to distribute thousands of across the county which council tax reduction, have been
our communities over the past year. pounds worth of vouchers have been impacted by the administering the Government’s
From frontline care to financial for free school meals during pandemic. Dozens of staff Test and Trace Support Payment.
support, we remain committed to the October half term and have been involved in This has supported people on low
helping you through these difficult Christmas holidays, ensuring ensuring these were income who have been told to
times. Here are just a few examples that families with children given out in a timely isolate by NHS Test and Trace and
of the work of our teams. have access to food over the manner. who are unable to work from
holidays. home, with a grant of £500.
Frontline support Mary Readman, our head of transactional services, said: “I have to say how bowled over I was at seeing the
Care Connect responder Ashley Prested.
commitment, flexibility and adaptability of staff in both my team and across other key council areas. I’ve seen
Our Care Connect team, which supports residents to Because there was no other way inside, the police and teams who hadn’t worked together before, knuckle down and deliver, and people willing to work weekends,
live independently in their own home, has continued a joiner had to be called to remove the kitchen evenings, and everything in between to support residents in need. And of course, not forgetting the staff who have
to provide a 24-hour service throughout the window. “I then had to climb through the small kept the ‘day job’ going in order to ensure continuity of service.”
pandemic. In doing so, the service is not only window and into the kitchen. My colleague and I found
providing peace of mind to clients’ family and friends the lady behind the front door and she explained that
but is also helping to relieve some of the pressure on she had fallen when trying to get to the post and
the NHS. couldn’t get up,” said Ashley. Redeployment leads to
“Our control room and responders We’ve adapted our Once the paramedics arrived, the dream job
have continued answering lady was taken to hospital with a
emergency calls across the county working practices to suspected broken hip and Ashley When coronavirus restrictions stopped Claire
during the pandemic,” explains comply with coronavirus and her colleague made sure she Fothergill-Smith from carrying out her normal
Care Connect responder Ashley had everything she needed for role at one of our leisure centres, she was
Prested. “We’ve adapted our restrictions... hospital before asking the Care redeployed – a move which ultimately led her to
working practices to comply with Connect control room to contact embark to a new career.
coronavirus restrictions, such as wearing full PPE and her family. They also made sure her house was safe.
maintaining social distancing to offer maximum Claire was given a choice of teams to work with but
“Our response to emergencies like this shows our felt that her previous experience of working with
protection against the virus.”
service is vital to people in County Durham,” explains children suited a role at Aycliffe Secure Centre.
Claire Fothergill-Smith.
Recently, Ashley and a colleague were called out to Ashley. “Many of our clients comment that they would
help a lady who had fallen in her home. When they not be able to live independently in their home without Claire had considered applying for roles at the
arrived, they found she’d fallen behind the door, the service to help them. It’s this kind of feedback that children’s home before but had been reluctant to When restrictions were lifted, Claire realised her role
preventing them from getting into her house. “We makes me proud to work as a telecare responder, as I commit without knowing more. She said: “When the at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre in Durham was no
waited at the property talking to the lady through the know I’m providing a service that is improving quality redeployment opportunity came along, I saw it as an longer the job for her and she successfully secured a
letter box to reassure her that help was on its way,” said of life and helping people to maintain their amazing experience, kind of try before you apply. post at Aycliffe. “Now I have my dream career,” she
Ashley. “The lady shouted that she was freezing cold as independence.” “After my first shift I knew straight away this was the added.
she was only wearing thin clothes so I pushed my coat job for me. The young people were nothing like I had
For more information about Care Connect, email
through the letterbox to keep her warm while we imagined, and the staff were amazing by offering
waited.”
careconnect@durham.gov.uk or call 03000 262 195.
support and help along the way.”
Now I have my dream career
24 25You can also read
