Durham County Council

Share Your Insights 📢 Help Shape A New All-Age Careers Framework for County Durham   We are excited to invite you to participate in a crucial survey to support us in co-designing an innovative all-age Careers Framework for County Durham. This initiative, commissioned by us and led by Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, Director dmh associates, seeks to gather valuable input from employers and training providers like you. Complete the survey: https://lnkd.in/g_pZY7da   This should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and your response will help inform and influence the future design and delivery of careers and employability support services for young people and adults in County Durham.

People flocked to the Seaham Food Festival this weekend for two days of food, family entertainment, and cooking demonstrations from some of the nation’s favourite chefs. The festival featured its signature cookery theatre, which hosted celebrities including TV chefs Rosemary Shrager and Phil Vickery; world-renowned chocolatier Paul Young; former MTV Dirty Sanchez frontman Matt Pritchard; Bishop Auckland’s Mike Bartley; and Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley. They were joined by festival favourite Chris Bavin who returned to Seaham to host the cookery theatre. Festivalgoers also got the chance to try a variety of dishes and goods from over 120 traders, selling everything from Sicilian, Sri Lankan and Portuguese street food, to churros, crepes, and cupcakes.   Find out more: https://lnkd.in/evfAzMdF

📢 Development Opportunity - Allocated Employment Land The subject site comprises a vacant potential development site within Greencroft Industrial Park. The site is comprised of entirely grassed surface, with some vegetation. A well-established tree belt divides the northern and southern portions of the site. Property available as a single plot or 2 plot sale. Plot 1 area 1.504 Acres. Located north of the tree belt. Plot 2 area 6.725 Acres. Located south of the tree belt. The deadline for submission of offers is no later than 4pm on Monday 2nd September 2024. For further information please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ec-Mx6eU

Celebrating our Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Providers 🌟 Inspiring foster carers and supported lodgings providers joined us at our annual Star Awards, where we celebrated their dedication to County Durham's children and young people in our care. Awards recognised, 5, 10, 15 and even 20- and 25-years service, as well as special recognition awards for carers and providers who have gone that extra mile to provide outstanding care and support. Lynne and Alan Walton have been fostering for 25 years! They have fostered many children throughout that time, and providing love, care and support is just a natural instinct to them. This year Lynne and Alan have supported one young person to move onto independent living and supported another young person with her own baby move into her own home, all while continuing to provide an outstanding level of care and commitment to the 3 children who live with them permanently. If that was not enough to keep them busy, they have also been supporting some of our most vulnerable little people with short stays, including emergency arrangements when they and their families have needed it. Thank you to Lynne and Alan, and to all the amazing, inspiring foster carers and SL providers who give loving homes to County Durham children. 👏 Want to learn more about fostering? Visit https://ow.ly/LO6x50SPQ0n

We have recently approved our new County Durham Early Help Strategy which sets out our vision to support all children and families to achieve their goals in life, in an environment that is safe, happy and healthy. We have worked with local families on the strategy and our ambition is for every family to receive the right support at the right time and in the right place, whether that is the lowest level of support or more specialist help. Find the strategy here: https://lnkd.in/enNwc-Ek

Congratulations are in order for two of our apprentices! 🎉 Ben Urwin, who works as an Accountancy Assistant in our Corporate Finance & Commercial Services was the winner of Professional Services Apprentices of the Year at the North East Apprenticeship Awards 2024. Jenna Worthington, who works as Poverty Action Lead in our Transactional & Customer Services, was nominated as a finalist in the Higher Apprentices of the Year at the awards. Ever thought about an apprenticeship? We currently have a number of vacancies, including Apprentice - Economic Development, Apprentice Print Technician and Apprentice Executive Support. Find out more: https://ow.ly/2S2o50SJgaK

Today, on Changing Places Awareness Day, we are pleased to announce that families and visitors to Hardwick Park can now enjoy easier access to amenities thanks to a new Changing Places toilet.   Funding from the Department for Levelling Up and Muscular Dystrophy UK has enabled us to bring the new accessible toilet to the popular park.   With a hoist, changing table, height adjustable sink and shower, the toilet is perfect for families with additional needs and carers accompanying visitors to the park.   You can find other Changing Place Toilet locations on our website: https://lnkd.in/eEkXw4eT

We seek to put culture, creativity, the visitor economy, leisure and sport at the heart of our regional economy. What should be the priority for Durham County Council Leader Cllr Amanda Hopgood as our Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative, Tourism, and Sport? Watch ⏩

The Story is a new home for County Durham’s historic collections. From ancient archives and archaeological finds, to records of bravery and life-changing events. With a #NationalLottery award, Mount Oswald has been transformed into a new visitor attraction that tells the story of County Durham through interactive exhibitions and activities. Read more and take a visit for #HeritageIsOpen! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXh9Ds57 Durham County Council

World Heritage Site Durham Cathedral, care homes, schools, market places, parks and all manner of other venues. All have resonated with the joyous sounds of live music, singing, chat and laughter; and witnessed dancing aplenty and smiles galore. Over the course of a week, Durham Brass Festival navigated some wet weather and brought sunshine to thousands of people across County Durham. Cllr Amanda Hopgood, our Leader and North East Combined Authority Cabinet member for culture, creative, tourism and sport, said: “What a week it’s been. We’ve had some worried faces when studying weather forecasts for some of our outdoor events but, with a few exceptions, the sun has shone and the show has very definitely gone on. “We’d like to thank everyone who has been part of Brass. From our excellent line-up of bands to everyone who has come out to see them play; the venues and locations that have hosted them, the people who have provided them with accommodation and, last but by no means least, our teams who do all the organising behind the scenes and the volunteers who help our bands get where they need to be. “It is such a pleasure to put on free events not just in Durham City, but in our towns and villages across the county as well, and to see people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying themselves so much. “For us, events such as Brass are also all about helping the economy – they bring people out who spend money in local shops, pubs and places to eat and we hope this helps those businesses following what has been a tough few years.”