Get Involved

We are keen to make sure you get the opportunity to have your say or get involved in improving the quality of life in your community. This page will provide information on the latest consultation issues and if you want to support your local community more it will provide links to the local volunteer bureaus who work closely with our local community venues as they are always looking for more help

Residents urged to join the Big Spring Clean

Details: Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:32; Paul

Residents, community groups and schools are being urged to sign up for this year’s Big Spring Clean campaign (18 March to 12 May).

It is hoped the campaign will see hundreds of volunteers in County Durham and Darlington stepping forward to tidy up their local areas.

The campaign is being organised by LitterFree Durham and backed by both Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council.

This is the third year the campaign has been run. Last year’s campaign attracted 826 people who took part in a total of 65 litter picks with 717 bags of litter collected.

Now LitterFree Durham is urging people to sign up for this year’s campaign, which will take place between Monday 18 March and 12 May.

Gerald Lee, chair of LitterFree Durham, said: “Help us to help you make a difference to your community by joining us on our Big Spring Clean this year.”

Staff and pupils from Gainford Primary school helped to launch the campaign on 6 March and residents, community groups and schools can now sign up to get involved.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “The Big Spring Clean has been a great success in recent years, with local people and groups from all over the county giving a helping hand to tidy up their local area. We hope this year’s campaign will be bigger and better.”

Cllr Nick Wallis, cabinet member for leisure and local environment at Darlington Borough Council, added: “The majority of us take great pride in our area and don’t drop litter.

“The Big Spring Clean is a great way for local people to come together and help clean up after the minority who feel it is OK to drop litter in our town.”

For further information people can visit www.litterfreedurham.org/

Residents in County Durham can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 03000 266 083.

Residents in Darlington can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01325 347 434.

Invitation to Community Buying Groups

Details: Wednesday, 20 June 2012 13:19; Paul

potential to create change? Thursday 12th July, 1-4pm at Park House, Station Road, Lanchester

Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC) have set up a bulk oil buying scheme open to residents across the county (Durham Community Oil - see www.durhamrcc.org.uk).

Chris Pomfret, from Community Buying Unlimited, who negotiates with the oil companies on behalf of DRCC and other RCCs across the country running similar schemes, is visiting Durham to talk about his ideas on the potential of community buying.

At this event he will be talking not only about domestic heating oil, but also about other commodities that can be purchased by this method, and exploring how this can be an agent for change.

Lunch is from 1-2pm; Chris will talk and invite discussion from 2-4pm.

Places are limited for this event and booking is essential. To book online, please go to:
www.communitybuying.eventbrite.com

If you have any problems booking this way or require further information, please contact Liz Charles: email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone: 01207 529621

Old Durham Gardens: Become a trustee

Details: Monday, 14 May 2012 14:03; Paul

Dear Friends,

Friends of Old Durham Gardens is looking for 3 or more trustees to help support the work of the Gardens. All trustees will be elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 May 2012, and everyone is invited to stand for trusteeship.

The Friends of Old Durham Gardens currently has 7 trustees and we are seeking 3 or more additional trustees. Trustees are responsible for the running of the Friends Group and driving the direction that the Gardens will take over the next few years. It is a key role and offers an exciting opportunity to be closely involved in the development of these historic gardens. In practical terms, trustees attend one evening meeting/month and undertake a variety of activities from gardening, to planning, promotion, event organisation, web-site maintenance and liaising with the public and the County Council – all according to skill and availability. Naturally the existing trustees would will pass on any skills and understanding to new trustees; no particular experience is required. The variety of skills needed and opportunities available are quite varied and all contributions are welcome!

If you would like more information about being a trustee, please contact Alison Danforth, Friends of Old Durham Gardens Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you would like to stand for trusteeship, please send a short statement and a skills audit to Alison Danforth: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The statement and skills audit is not intended as an application - it just allows us to understand what each potential trustee would be interested in undertaking.

Current Trustees:

Paul Beard, Trustee (standing again)

Alison Danforth, Secretary (retiring)

Colin Jubb, Treasurer (standing again)

Chris Lee, Chairman (standing again)

Angela Lee, Membership Secretary (standing again)

Adam Offler, Trustee (standing again)

Martin Roberts, Trustee (standing again)

We hope you will consider giving some of your time and expertise to Old Durham Gardens and look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Alison

Digital Durham

Details: Wednesday, 20 June 2012 13:06; Paul

Local Broadband Champions are needed on a voluntary basis to help the Digital Durham campaign
in and around your local area.

We need your help to represent the Digital Durham programme locally within your community to:
• Help communicate information about the Digital Durham programme and its progress to
your local community.
• Gather feedback where appropriate to ensure community views are understood and
considered.
• Gather information where appropriate which will help scope and deliver the Digital Durham
programme.
• Promote the benefits of superfast broadband, generating interest and ideas on how your
local community can benefit from its availability.
• Publicise the scheme by co-ordinating or attending local events to help people understand
the difference that superfast broadband could make to their lives.
• Create effective links with all sections of the community e.g. business, voluntary and
community sector, and other local groups.
• Stimulate demand and help build a database of prospective broadband subscribers so we can
demonstrate to providers that communities are interested in using superfast broadband.

What skills do you need to be a Local Broadband Champion?
You don’t need to be technically savvy, but you will need time, energy, and drive to improve
broadband in your local area.

How are the parishes split into groups?
We’re looking for up to three Local Broadband Champions to cover each of the 14 Area Action
Partnerships (AAPs), depending upon the current availability of broadband. These are:
Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP (minimum 2); Chester-le-Street and District AAP (minimum 1);
Derwent Valley Partnership AAP (minimum 2); Three Towns Partnership (minimum 3); Durham City
AAP (minimum 1); East Durham AAP (minimum 3); East Durham Rural Corridor (minimum 2 ; Four
Together (minimum 2); Mid Durham Rural; (minimum 2); Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership
(minimum 1); Spennymoor AAP (minimum 2); Stanley AAP (minimum 2); Teesdale AAP (minimum
2); Weardale Action Partnership (minimum 3)

How do you become a Local Broadband Champion?
As there is only a limited number of champions needed we’re introducing a simple application and
selection process. If you are interested please contact Phil Jackman This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteer Physical Activity Leader Durham County Leisure

Details: Monday, 05 March 2012 15:45; Paul

Physical Activity Leader (i.e. Walker Leader) would be responsible for arranging the meeting place and planning a route for a walk. As a Walk Leader you would be expected to inspire people by sharing your enthusiasm for the activity and sharing your knowledge of the local area. There are a number of different physical activities being delivered across the county, any of which require volunteers to lead them.

Organisation Description :

Develop and maintain a catalogue of high quality volunteer placements in a variety of sports clubs and activities. Break down the myth that you have to be sporty to volunteer in a sports club. Deploy a team of specially trained officers to provide sports clubs and organisations with information and support to manage volunteers. Ensure enjoyment, personal development and increased employability of volunteers through leadership and coaching qualifications.

Awards and accreditations to acknowledge the dedication and celebrate the achievements of our volunteers.

Contact Information :

Durham City District Volunteer Bureau

3 Red Hill Villas

Durham

DH1 4BA

Tel: 0191 3844801

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.