Horden, Peterlee and surrounding areas

11/09/2026

Funding Available for Disabled Gardeners

Grants are available to individuals through the Gardening with Disabilities Trust to enable them to continue gardening despite advancing illness, age, or disability.
To apply for a grant, individuals must provide a letter from their doctor or other healthcare professional indicating their disability and a copy of another official document, such as a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or a Blue Parking Badge.
The grants can be used for:
• Raised beds
• Poly Tunnels
• Greenhouses
• Tools
• Small-scale garden adaptations. e.g. access pathways.
• Plants or Shrubs
• Compost
Preference will be given to keen gardeners who can no longer garden due to their physical disabilities.

There is no application closing date, and applications can be submitted at any time.
Further information on how to apply is available on the Gardening with Disabilities

Raised beds, access ramps, modified tools and more....all these are ways which we've helped gardeners with disabilities get back into their gardens...

10/09/2026

Grants to Improve Housing for Disadvantaged People

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation has announced that it is currently accepting applications for grants of up to £5,000 for UK registered charities that are helping people experiencing hardship or from underserved groups to access housing or improve financial wellbeing.
Key areas of support include helping people experiencing hardship and/or underserved groups to:
Access a Place to Call Home:
oAssisting people in need to find safe and secure permanent or temporary accommodation.
oSupporting individuals in crisis situations, such as homelessness or health emergencies.
oFunding community spaces that provide help and wellbeing support.
Financial Wellbeing:
oProviding guidance on money management and improving financial literacy.
oSupporting charities that offer financial education programmes.
oEnhancing digital competence related to financial management.

Priority is given to charities working in areas ranked within the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation1.

Eligible organisations must be registered charities established for at least three years with three or more trustees. The funding can cover core costs including salaries, rent, utilities and training, or project expenses such as equipment, materials, venue hire and small capital contributions.
The round will close as soon as 75 applications have been received, so applicants should apply promptly. Trustees will meet in December 2026 to consider applications.

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation (“the Charitable Foundation”) was established in February 2000 supporting registered charities throughout the UK and distributing donations. Skipton Building Society makes an annual payment to the Charitable Foundation to fund these donations.

09/09/2026

Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Support Communities

The Leathersellers’ Foundation has announced that the next round of its Small Grants Programme will open at 10am on Thursday 3 September 2026. The programme offers unrestricted grants of up to £5,000 to support registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), improving the lives of people and communities across the UK.

The Leathersellers’ Foundation is a grant funder that supports individuals and communities through charities, education, and the leather industry.
Applications are open to registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations that have been active for at least one year. Applicants must have annual income and expenditure below £200,000, no more than six months’ running costs in free reserves, published annual accounts, and a public website.
Key points include:
• funding is unrestricted and awarded for one year;
• applicants must show evidence of need and impact;
• capital projects, hospices, medical research, CICs, PTAs, scouting groups, and services charging participants for access are excluded;
• applications close when 40 submissions are received, or after two weeks.
The September round will be considered at the committee meeting on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Applicants are expected to hear the outcome within one week.

Our rolling programme for one-off grants recognises the crucial services small charities provide to local communities across the UK.

09/09/2026

It is your final chance to take part in our online events to engage with the consultation on the Council Plan 2027-2031.

Join us online to hear a presentation about the proposed Council Plan and an opportunity to share your views. You will be able to ask questions or provide comments.

We’ve launched a consultation with residents, businesses, partners and staff to check that our proposed objectives and priorities continue to serve them effectively.

🗓Thursday 10 September 2026
🕕6pm-6:30pm

You can sign up for our online event, as well as complete our online consultation at:

https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/council-plan-2027-2031

The deadline for feedback is Wednesday 23 September 2026.

🗣It is your final chance to take part in our online events to engage with the consultation on the Council Plan 2027-2031.

Join us online to hear a presentation about the proposed Council Plan and an opportunity to share your views. You will be able to ask questions or provide comments.

We’ve launched a consultation with residents, businesses, partners and staff to check that our proposed objectives and priorities continue to serve them effectively.

🗓Thursday 10 September 2026
🕕6pm-6:30pm

You can sign up for our online event, as well as complete our online consultation at:
https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/council-plan-2027-2031

The deadline for feedback is Wednesday 23 September 2026

09/09/2026

The autumn edition of Durham County News is OUT NOW!

Read online at:
https://www.durham.gov.uk/dcn

Featuring 👇
🍂 Inspiration for autumn walks + chance to WIN £30 voucher for Bowlees Visitor Centre
💡 Events, talks and creative experiences at The Light Durham
🗝️ Durham Town Hall 175th birthday lookback
📚 Durham Book Festival full programme
🚴 Discover how Durham Institute of Sport is backing the next generation of sporting champions
🎭 What's On listings

The autumn edition of Durham County News is OUT NOW!

Read online at:
https://www.durham.gov.uk/dcn

Featuring 👇

🍂 Inspiration for autumn walks + chance to WIN £30 voucher for Bowlees Visitor Centre
💡 Events, talks and creative experiences at The Light Durham
🗝️ Durham Town Hall 175th birthday lookback
📚 Durham Book Festival full programme
🚴 Discover how Durham Institute of Sport is backing the next generation of sporting champions
🎭 What's On listings

08/09/2026

One Stop Community Partnership Programme Re-opens for Applications

Convenience store operator One Stop has announced that its Community Partnership programme has re-opened for applications. The programme provides grants of up to £1,000 to community groups and other not-for-profit organisations operating within a two-mile radius of a One Stop shop.

The grants are available to support projects and initiatives that are:
• Tackling food poverty
• Supporting the vulnerable
• Supporting the elderly
• Supporting low-income families
• Running youth sports teams
• Reducing / recycling waste
• Improving the environment
In addition to the grant, the One Stop Community Team and One Stop Store Team create a long-term, tailored support programme for successful applicants. Grant recipients then partner with the One Stop Store Team at their local shop to deliver this programme.

Applications will be welcomed from various organisations, including voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, schools, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, and Community Interest Companies.

The fund will close for applications on 30 September 2026. Decisions are expected w/c 9 November 2026.
For further information, please contact: [email protected]

The One Stop Community Partnership programme invites local community groups to apply for funding of up to £500. This programme is designed to support

08/09/2026

The Pride in Place board for Peterlee East has already got fantastic foundations to build on in, with residents feeling proud of their heritage, facilities and people, says board chair Nik Welsh.
Watch her update from the board's second meeting

07/09/2026

A reminder that the Local Network Fund is open to applications until 30th September.

Community groups can now access £1.2m in funding as part of our Local Network scheme.

We run 12 Local Networks across County Durham that drive community participation and support community-led projects.
The grant comes from the Local Network Fund, and aims to help groups make a bigger impact with community projects.

Applicants can apply for between £5,000 and £10,000, which can be used to support local groups and community projects.

The Local Networks are looking for applications that deliver projects that meet one or more of the following themes:
▪️ Community safety
▪️ Employment, jobs and skills
▪️ Health and wellbeing
▪️ Environment and natural spaces
▪️ Education and training
▪️ Housing and physical infrastructure
▪️ Culture, heritage and events

Our Local Networks will be open to applications until Wednesday 30 September, giving schools and organisations time to prepare and submit bids after the summer holidays.

Find out more https://www.durham.gov.uk/communityfunding

Community groups can now access £1.2m in funding as part of our Local Network scheme.

We run 12 Local Networks across County Durham that drive community participation and support community-led projects.

The grant comes from the Local Network Fund, and aims to help groups make a bigger impact with community projects.

Applicants can apply for between £5,000 and £10,000, which can be used to support local groups and community projects.

The Local Networks are looking for applications that deliver projects that meet one or more of the following themes:

▪️ Community safety
▪️ Employment, jobs and skills
▪️ Health and wellbeing
▪️ Environment and natural spaces
▪️ Education and training
▪️ Housing and physical infrastructure
▪️ Culture, heritage and events

Our Local Networks will be open to applications until Wednesday 30 September, giving schools and organisations time to prepare and submit bids after the summer holidays.

Find out more https://www.durham.gov.uk/communityfunding

03/09/2026

Funding Up to £10,000 Available to Tackle Social Deprivation

Registered charities can apply for up to £10,000 per year for up to two years to support activities that benefit people living in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside.
Priority will be given to projects that:
•Ease social deprivation; and/or
•Enrich the local community fabric and improve individuals' quality of life.

The funding is provided by the 1989 Willan Charitable Trust, which distributes up to £500,000 annually with the support of the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. The Trustees prefer to fund projects where their support will make a significant contribution to delivery.
Examples of Projects Funded
• Initiatives meeting the needs of communities experiencing high levels of deprivation.
• Self-help projects that improve local quality of life.
• Services for young people addressing educational needs or offering diversion from crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Projects supporting communities affected by crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Arts initiatives tackling deprivation or enhancing local quality of life.
• Work of youth organisations, particularly the Sea Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Boys’ Brigades, and other uniformed groups (grants here generally up to £1,500).
• Projects drawing on the region’s maritime heritage to improve quality of life or address deprivation.
• Gap year voluntary work through Project Trust (grants limited to £500 towards placement expenses; applicants must normally reside in the North East).
Exempted or excepted organisations can include:
• Registered Housing Associations
• Parish Churches
• Further Education Colleges / Universities
• Scout and Guide groups
This list is not exhaustive.
The closing date for applications is 15 November 2026.

The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust - Read more on Community Foundation.

03/09/2026

Don't forget to have your say on the Horden Residents' Charter 📢

We're asking residents for their views on a draft Residents' Charter and the proposed Residents' Steering Group, which aim to support local people during the delivery of the Horden Masterplan.

📅Deadline for feedback is Sunday 13 September 2026
💻https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/hordenresidentscharter

Don't forget to have your say on the Horden Residents' Charter 📢

We're asking residents for their views on a draft Residents' Charter and the proposed Residents' Steering Group, which aim to support local people during the delivery of the Horden Masterplan.

📅Deadline for feedback is Sunday 13 September 2026
💻https://letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projects/hordenresidentscharter