Professor Sir John Burn from Newcastle University, gave a health themed presentation on 2nd November as the guest speaker at County Durham Community Foundation’s public AGM. The event was held in the Xcel Centre entitled ‘Building Thriving Communities’.
It the Foundation’s charitable giving, particularly around the themes of health and improving lives, making grants of almost £2.5 million in the last financial year.
Other guests included Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland, the Mayor and Mayoress of Durham and chairman of Durham County Council, Linda Marshall. Following his talk, Sir John presented the Outstanding Achievement Award 2012 to winners Veterans at Ease. Every year, members of the Community Foundation’s grant’s team nominate a recipient for the award – a grantee who has made a difference with their funding.
Three runners up received £100 each and a certificate:
Durham Christian Partnership who aim to make a positive difference to the lives of people living or visiting County Durham. Current projects include Durham Food Bank, Healing on the Streets and Grandparents Support Group. They also run a listening programme at the Cathedral and as a result of this the group started running a specialist course called ‘Effective Listening Skills’ with specialist subjects added on the end such as mental health awareness, bereavement and addictions.
Initially, this element was only for the people on the listening course. However, due to popular demand, they opened it up to other people with the first one focusing on mental health awareness where they received 60 requests. Each course is run in partnership with the specialist organisations who also help advertise the course.
If U Care Share was established in February 2009 with the main objective of preventing young people commit suicide. They offer intervention training and support to those affected by suicide and was set up by a couple who lost their son through suicide and wanted to stop it happening to another family and potentially avert further deaths. Support available and current projects include: delivering emotional and mental health training to Durham University Students and working with health professionals, teachers and young people.
Shildon People’s Centre was formed in 2007 by a local group of volunteers, to encourage better health and wellbeing, to foster a spirit of mutual service and develop friendships in the communities in and around Shildon,. Current projects include education and self-development courses, a café and Active over 60’s group. The project alerts those running the service of issues with those attending the Centre – if they are unwell or haven’t turned up and may be isolated in their home for some reason.
The winner of the award went to Veterans At Ease, an organisation who offer practical and emotional support to war veterans and their families. They received £250 which will be used on ‘The Hidden Battles’ project, which aims to produce a professional film to be distributed through the Veterans At Ease website. It aims to raise awareness of the traumatic psychological effects of combat and to support veterans and their families who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The organisation has helped 15 veterans and 3 families since 2011, with one of the veterans becoming employed.
