Other sources of help

People involved in all of DCP’s projects are often approached by people needing help or advice. We don’t have the answers for everyone’s questions, but we may be able to point someone in the right direction to find help with their particular situation. This is often called signposting. Knowing the right organisation to signpost people to can be tricky, on this page you will find some useful suggestions.

Advice in County Durham

Advice in County Durham gives information about the main organisations in County Durham providing advice and services, their website pulls together lots of different sources of advice and lists them by theme. One of these agencies will be able to help in most situations.

Turn2Us

Turn2Us is a charity that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help. Their website is free and easy to use and contains useful resources and tools, such as a Benefits Calculator and Grants search.

EntitledTo

EntitledTo is another useful website for benefits information. It has its own, easy to use, benefits calculator and you can even complete better off calculations to see how your income would change in work.

Community Money Advice County Durham

CMA County Durham is a face to face service offering free confidential help for anyone struggling with debt or managing their money. They are part of the Community Money Advice network, offering advice on debt, budgeting and benefits. They will even help fill in forms.

Citizens Advice County Durham

County Durham Citizens Advice provide free, impartial, independent advice for people who live or work in County Durham. Their website gives information about how to contact them for advice near you or you can contact their telephone AdviceLine on 0300 330 9027, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

Citizens Advice also have an online AdviceGuide which brings together help and information on a range of topics to help you solve your problems. Their website contains easy to understand information and advice about benefits, work, debt and money, consumer issues, relationships, housing, law and rights, discrimination, tax, healthcare and education.

Durham County Council

Durham County Council provides a range of services for the people of County Durham including advice on Benefits, help for homeless people, carers, children and young people, older people, people with physical and learning disabilities, people with mental health problems and victims of domestic violence. Links to all of their services can be found on their website.

AgeUK

AgeUK aims to help people to make the most of later life. They do this by inspiring, supporting and enabling in a number of ways. Services offered in County Durham include: Health Promotion, Housing Advice, Lunch Club and other social activities, Information & Advice, learning opportunities and Therapeutic Services.

Mind

Mind is there to make sure no one has to face mental health difficulties alone. Mind Infoline provides information on a range of topics including: types of mental health problem, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments, advocacy. They will look for details of help and support in your own area. The Infoline is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and can be contacted by phone on 0300 123 3393, text 86463 or email [email protected].

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Help people get debt free

Help people get debt free by supporting Community Money Advice County Durham. People are struggling with their finances and getting into debt. Our debt advice team operating under Community Money Advice offer a free service to help people to get on top of their financial issues.
Sunderland Foodbank

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food, support and advice to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Community Money Advice County Durham

Many people experience problems with their finances at times, for many reasons, getting help is the most important thing. Community Money Advice County Durham offer a free, confidential, service for anyone with financial issues, debt or managing their money. We will not judge you in any way. We know that you may not have the time or energy to tackle these problems alone and we help you to sort things out in the best way for you. There is a solution and we can help you find it.
Foodbank

County Durham and Sunderland Foodbanks are here to help anyone who is facing hunger because of crisis – for the parents skipping meals so their children can eat, for the tenant forced to go hungry just so they can pay the rent, for the elderly person making the stark choice between heating and eating.
DCP Community Shop

The DCP Community Shop aims to be just that: a community and a shop. It is an established charity shop in Framwellgate Moor, selling clothing, books, toys and all manner of other household items. Profits from the shop are predominantly used to fund the work of County Durham foodbank.
Staff

We have a committed team of staff at DCP, all of whom work hard to ensure the objectives and ethos of support are provided to those in need.
County Durham foodbank Donations

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food, advice and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Fuel Bank

In April 2015, npower launched ‘Fuel Bank’, its initiative to help foodbank users with pre-payment meters. The first of its kind, the project aimed to help those being forced to choose between ‘heating and eating’ by offering them vouchers for gas or electricity. The Fuel Foundation now operate the fuelbank with the support of Durham Christian Partnership in the County Durham area
What we do

DCP delivers a variety of projects with the aim of making a positive difference to the lives of people living, working and visiting County Durham.
Volunteering roles

Could you provide a friendly face to members of the public visiting our community shop? Give practical support to those using pubs and clubs on a Friday and Saturday night with StreetLights? Or welcome people to the foodbank or help sort and pack food into emergency food boxes? If the answer is yes, then we would love to hear from you! Volunteering is a worthwhile and rewarding experience. Here you will find current volunteer opportunities within DCP.
Find Us

Our office is based in Chester le Street. This is where our head office operations are carried out. No services are available from this office. If you would like further information about Durham Christian Partnership or help finding appropriate support, please contact us.
Trustees

DCP has a board of committed Trustees, each with their own specialist knowledge and experience. The role of our trustees is to ensure DCP has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are matched to our vision. The trustee’s support the Chief Executive in the running of DCP, ensuring that the charity meets its obligations and that the needs of clients come first.

DCP Donation

Durham Christian Partnership supports Christian communities in County Durham to work with each other and with other organisations. We support a variety of projects (link to projects) all of which respond to identified needs. These projects all aim to make a positive difference in the lives of people living in County Durham and Sunderland. We want to help everyone live a full and successful life – your donation can help us provide essential support to improve lives and help communities thrive. Read more

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