Durham Key Options

Telephone befriending service Silver Talk has tripled in size during the Covid:19 pandemic, ensuring those who are most isolated across the North East region can stay connected.

The service, which is managed by Karbon Homes and provides over 55s with a 30-minute social telephone chat each week, is now providing support to 301 service users, a jump from 95 in February.

Find out more here.

If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000.

The only website the service will ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.

❗️Contact tracers will NEVER:

➡️Ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)

➡️Ask you to make any form of payment

➡️Ask for any details about your bank account

➡️Ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts

➡️Ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone

➡️Ask you to purchase a product

➡️Ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet

➡️Ask you to access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS

A new fund for communities during the coronavirus lockdown has directly helped more than 1,750 people in just three weeks.

The believe housing Coronavirus Crisis Fund was launched last month to provide targeted assistance to communities that were struggling with the effects of the lockdown. The funding is directed to community groups in most parts of County Durham, and some neighbouring areas, to keep vulnerable people connected and to provide help with food at a time when many people are seeing new financial difficulties due to the economic impact of the virus.

So far nearly 700 people have benefited from food packs as a result of funding. Projects that have received funding include the Angel Trust, which received £1,000 to distribute food parcels to doorsteps of those in urgent needs while adhering to all distancing guidance.

Seaham Youth and Community Centre also received £500 to distribute scores of activity packs to families to reduce feelings of isolation during the lockdown.

In total more than £10,000 has been distributed by the fund since it was launched.

The Coronavirus Crisis Fund follows the same model as believe housing’s hugely successful community grant programme. Applications for grants of up to £500 are still open to community groups, organisations or schools that work in areas covered by believe housing. A simple application process will be maintained to ensure that fast turnaround funding decisions can take place and get work underway.

Groups that have previously received funding from believe housing’s standard community investment scheme will be eligible to apply for funding again under the crisis fund alongside groups that have not previously been given support.

believe housing’s Community Investment Team Leader, Angela Stobbart, said: “The demand we’ve seen for funding has been exceptional. We’re really pleased to have been able to help so many groups so quickly.

“The whole idea behind the crisis fund was to help as many communities as we could, as quickly as possible. And we’re already achieving that. But we’re still open for applications too, so I’d ask anyone who has a project that they think we might be able to help with, to get in touch.”

Full details of the Coronavirus Crisis Fund are available on the believe housing website, or by calling the Community Investment Team on 0300 1311 999.

believe housing has announced new support for projects tackling isolation and financial hardship during the coronavirus outbreak.

At least £10,000 has been allocated to the Seaham-based housing association’s new Coronavirus Crisis Fund. The funding will be directed at community groups in most parts of County Durham, and some neighbouring areas, to keep vulnerable people connected and to provide help with food at a time when many people are seeing new financial difficulties due to the economic impact of the virus.

Projects that are expected to benefit include foodbanks, help with shopping for vulnerable people, and schemes that help families with food while free school meals are not available. Initiatives that look after wellbeing remotely, create virtual social groups or workshops and deliver activities for families are also likely to be awarded funding.

The Coronavirus Crisis Fund will follow the same model as believe housing’s hugely successful community grant programme. Two funding streams of up to £500 and up to £1,000 have been created for the new crisis fund. It is open be open to community groups or organisations and schools that work in areas covered by believe housing. A simple application process will be maintained to ensure that fast turnaround funding decisions can take place and get work underway.

Groups that have previously received funding from believe housing’s standard community investment scheme will be eligible to apply for funding again under the crisis fund alongside groups that have not previously been given support.

believe housing’s Community Investment Team Leader, Angela Stobbart, said: “We’re switching our funding focus to help as many people as possible during these unprecedented times. This new crisis fund has been designed specifically to help those that need it most, whether that is with support for their mental health or for their financial wellbeing. We’re taking applications immediately and we’re really keen to hear from any organisation in the area that is looking for backing to improve what they can do for their communities during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Whether you’ve worked with us before or have never thought about funding from believe housing, we’d really like to hear from you if you’ve got a relevant community project that needs support.”

Full details of the Coronavirus Crisis Fund are available on the believe housing website, or by calling the Community Investment Team on 0300 1311 999.

We understand that  the coronavirus is making life very difficult for many people and it can be difficult to access the basics.  Many of you will be getting help and support from friends relatives or local support groups.

If you don't have anyone to pick up medication, please contact your community pharmacy and / or if you are unable to access support for help with essentials such as food supplies or someone who can listen to and support you, please contact us

• Email:  communityhub@durham.gov.uk
• fill in our Covid 19 Help form at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help
• or call 03000 260260 and we will connect you to the help you need.

If you are a local voluntary group, local business or other agency offering ot help in the community, why not join our community hub to help people find support in this time of crisis - it is free, just complete our form at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19volunteer or call 03000 260260.  You will receive a call to verify your details and your serve added to Locate.

Latest coronavirus information and advice is available at www.durham.gov.uk