Cllr Howard Brown (front left) and Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director for public health (centre), play curling with members at Spennymoor Youth and Community Association
A £1.5m fund is helping to improve health and wellbeing, tackle social isolation and help build people’s financial resilience across County Durham.
Durham County Council is delivering its Thriving Together programme, which will see £500,000 awarded to community-led projects each year over a period of three years.
Delivered in partnership with Point North, 33 projects are being awarded funding having been selected through a competitive evaluation process.
Supported schemes include new wellbeing hubs; youth services; warm spaces; creative arts programmes; community cafés; lunch clubs; exercise sessions; gardening projects; and digital inclusion support.
There will be targeted support for priority groups including older people, young people and carers.
Many projects will also provide practical advice on issues such as debt, benefits, housing and employability.
Cllr Howard Brown, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Our Thriving Together programme aims to utilise the power of community-led action to address health inequalities, reduce isolation and help residents thrive across the county.
“Through a preventative, community-based approach, the programme will help improve residents’ health and wellbeing while strengthening community resilience and local capacity.
“By investing in trusted local organisations that understand the needs of their communities, we can deliver tailored support where it is needed most.
Spennymoor Youth and Community Association was awarded £41,150 through the Thriving Together programme to develop its community centre as a local wellbeing hub.
The project delivers a range of weekly activities and support sessions, particularly for residents experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation and poverty.
It also runs Breakfast Buddies, a welcoming group for men of all ages, providing a regular opportunity for social interaction, peer support and connection over breakfast.
Other organisations to benefit from the Thriving Together fund include:
- Building Self Belief in Consett, which will focus on expanding digital inclusion and mental health support.
- Quaking Houses Village Hall, which will develop a comprehensive wellbeing centre.
- Communities Together Durham, which will enhance services at the Heart on the Terrace community hub in Murton.
- Teesdale and Weardale organisations delivering outreach support in rural communities.
Alongside larger three-year investments, smaller grants will enable local organisations to introduce new activities including bereavement support, family programmes, early years sessions, youth wellbeing activities and community befriending services.
