(Image: DCC)
A £1.5 million fund is supporting 33 community projects across County Durham aimed at improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and helping residents become more financially resilient.
Durham County Council and Point North will deliver the three-year Thriving Together programme, awarding £500,000 a year to community-led schemes.
Councillor Howard Brown, cabinet member for adult and health services at Durham County Council, 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.
Members enjoying a support session at Spennymoor Youth and Community Association (Image: DCC)
"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."
The fund will support wellbeing hubs, youth services, warm spaces, arts projects, community cafés, lunch clubs, exercise classes, gardening groups and digital inclusion schemes.
Members enjoying a support session at Spennymoor Youth and Community Association (Image: DCC)
Many projects will also offer practical help with debt, benefits, housing and employment.
Spennymoor Youth and Community Association has received £41,150 to turn its centre into a wellbeing hub.
The group runs weekly activities and support sessions, particularly for people facing mental health problems, isolation and poverty.
Its Breakfast Buddies scheme gives men of all ages a regular chance to meet and support one another over breakfast.
Members enjoying a support session at Spennymoor Youth and Community Association (Image: DCC)
Building Self Belief in Consett will use the fund to expand its digital inclusion and mental health support services.
Read more
New Tesco Express with Costa Coffee opens in County Durham today creating 18 jobs
Community food charity celebrates 15 years of supporting families in Teesside
From classic cars to medieval knights — summer at Middleton Hall Retirement Village
Quaking Houses Village Hall will develop a wider wellbeing centre, while Communities Together Durham will expand services at the Heart on the Terrace hub in Murton.
The fund will also support outreach work in rural Teesdale and Weardale.
Smaller awards will also help organisations launch bereavement support, family programmes, early-years sessions, youth wellbeing activities and befriending schemes alongside the larger three-year grants.