Let's make sure Durham & Darlington get their fair share...

We need applications from County Durham and Darlington for the ESF Community Grants Programme. The Fund provides awards of up to £12,000 to groups undertaking activities to bring individuals closer to employment. This includes help with basic skills, work experience, training, advice and guidance, job search assistance, confidence building, personal development and support to overcome barriers to training and employment. Please read on for some examples of projects funded through ESF Community Grants.

Springboard Arts Project
This project aims to combat confidence and motivation issues associated with the long term unemployed through arts projects. Beneficiaries are given a structured framework and encouraged to make decisions and take ownership of a project. The course culminates in a public performance or exhibition as part of the confidence and self-esteem building process.

Rural Women's Workshops
Women in isolated areas have restricted access to training and reduced choices for employment. One project helps women overcome these barriers by running workshops in rural villages, providing childcare facilities and transport for those that need it. Women attending the workshops can choose sessions on subjects such as first aid, healthy eating and exercise and are encouraged to move onto accredited training if they wish. The workshops include compulsory sessions on personal development, careers advice and CV writing.

Employability/Job Clubs
There are many projects which help ESF priority groups progress towards the labour market through training in key skills and assistance with job applications. Formal training environments are often intimidating for the long term unemployed and so training in a community-based, informal environment are preferable. Many of there projects also help job seekers to find or fund training courses which may help them get into the labour market.

Click here for more information or to apply to the ESF Community Grants Fund >>>

SAVE THE DATE - Women's Spring Lunch 2012
This year's Women's Spring Lunch will be held on Thursday 17th May. Click here to see the 'save the date' flyer or email Emily to register your interest.

January Declaration
The call has gone out for people of the region to sign a January Declaration aimed at tackling the North East's shameful record of inequality. Some of the region's largest employers, charities and heads of businesses have teamed up with cross-party support and religious leaders to set out what must be done to improve the living standards for all, including a look at the pay gap between the highest and lowest earners. Add your support by sending your contact details to webb@cranehouse.eu putting "I support the January Declaration" in the subject line. Click here to read more >>>

Community Foundation Network Chief Executive awarded a CBE
County Durham Community Foundation would like to congratulate Stephen Hammersley, the Chief Executive of our Network organisation, on being awarded a CBE for services to philanthropy in the New Year's Honours List 2012.