East Durham Community Development Trust Ltd
Peterlee, UK
East Durham Trust is a registered Charity operating in one of the UK’s most deprived communities, the general area covers a population of just under 100,000 which is primarily made up of former mining communities. The Trust is constitutionally charged with supporting people who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Currently, this is achieved through a range of projects and services which include crisis interventions designed to deal with immediate challenges as well as preventative services and those dealing with the wider determinants of deprivation. In the first instance, the frontline crisis interventions include: - A foodbank; providing emergency food parcels to individuals and families facing crisis. - A healthy takeaway service, providing delicious hot meals delivered to the door of local people struggling financially - Benefit support; including appeals against sanctions and PIP claims. The demand on this services has grown exponentially in recent years since the roll out of universal credit. - Debt advice ranging from budgeting support to helping clients to secure a Debt Relief Order. Examples of projects and services of a preventative nature or those designed to support people on the journey out of disadvantage include: - An arts engagement project; which includes young people staging events in local community venues which improves social engagement and builds confidence. - Social inclusion activity, helping vulnerable people to reconnect with their community post covid - Family activities with food, providing local people, including those who access free school meals, with regular positive activities. - Telephone befriending service, with volunteers calling isolated residents up to three times a week for a chat - Emotional resilience training, helping local people to develop coping techniques to support improved mental wellbeing - Covid-19 resilience support, supporting those most adversely affected by Covid-19 including those affected by bereavement, long Covid and isolation. - Employability, providing help with C.V's, job search and training
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