ORGANISATION

FOR ANYONE AGED 50 YRS+ LIVING IN CO DURHAM

We are an independent local charity working in communities across the county and have been supporting older adults for over 45 years. Our dedicated staff team are supported by the goodwill of volunteers who generously give their time to help us to help you!

Our services are available to anyone aged 50 yrs+ living in County Durham and include: Arts, crafts & social activities, Advocacy, Bereavement Support, Dementia Therapy, Digital Inclusion, Exercise Sessions, Help at Home support and Information & Advice. The Mental Health & Wellbeing service offers access to counselling, occupational therapy and welfare calls for those living with low mood.

Did you know in 2022 our Information & Advice Team helped people to reclaim over 3 million pounds worth of welfare benefits? Confused by what you may be entitled to claim? Give our team a call and they will be happy to help.

All funds raised through our Charity Superstore at Belmont and our Hidden Boutique on North Road, Durham are used to support our work for local people.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you!

0191 386 3856 info@ageukcountydurham.org.uk

ASB IS DOWN 57.4% IN HORDEN!

Police stats will state Anti-Social Behaviour is down over 50% in the last calendar year. Would you agree? Your local Neighbourhood Team are keen to delve into the issues that are affecting you, and although the statistics will state Anti-Social Behaviour has fallen, we are very conscious that it doesn’t feel that way locally. We would urge the community to continue to report incidents via telephone on 101, in person or online via Durham Constabulary’s website. To go hand in hand with our drive to understand and tackle local issues better we are also engaging in a community engagement exercise in partnership with Horden Together, that will be launched soon. Please look out for our questionnaire and take the time to let us know your thoughts and experiences.

In other news, the first half of 2023 has been both busy and challenging with some high profile and complex investigations which have resulted in several lengthy custodial sentences for local criminals.

We continue to try and tackle the issues around the illegal use of our roads, we have had no fewer than three off-road bikes and four motor vehicles seized in the last month. Several persons have been reported to court for these offences. Please keep reporting these incidents.

In May 2023 we have seen higher levels of crime than usual that we are working hard to address.

• Shopliftings make up the majority of our theft offences

• The targeting of our unoccupied properties is an issue when it comes to burglary and criminal damage offences.

OFFENCES IN MAY 9

Burglaries 33 Thefts 14 Criminal Damage

HORDEN YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE - JOB SUCCESS!

The Monday Job Club is open from 10am - 1pm every week (except bank holidays) and it is starting to thrive again.

We offer our members a range of advice, guidance and information in relation to:

• CV’s…. interview tips and techniques.

• Assistance with Job applications.

• Access to training and qualifications.

• Online issues, and registrations helping them to gain the necessary skills to ease them into employment.

The job club also offers our members:

• A gateway into other social activities within the community centre.

• A safe haven for vulnerable people.

• Alleviates loneliness and mental health issues.

• A more personal one-to-one service.

• Alleviates financial issues around travel.

New members are given a welcome pack, which holds relevant information, signposting, advice, and job agency information. While in the job club there is free tea and coffee available all day, with access to food from donations. The members have also found friends and companions and help each other with job searches and vacancies. The centre is disabled and user-friendly, caters for all ages and walks of life and has a state-of-the-art computer room. In which there is only 3 other centres in the area who have these facilities available.

Since May 2021 our members have witnessed 14 individuals securing employment. This resulted in them having a more secure belief that they too can enter back in the workforce.