Horden Together - Issue 3 Spring 2023

PEOPLE, COMMUNITY & PLACE

SPORTS

East Durham Community Resilience Partnership

Our communities are facing many challenges. These affect our financial and emotional wellbeing. The East Durham Community Resilience Partnership is delivering activities that can help people meet these challenges in a constructive way. The Partnership is working across our local community to:

• Help people deal with an immediate crisis and support people reach services that can assist them

• Deliver sessions that improve financial and emotional wellbeing

• Direct individuals toward opportunities that support financial and emotional wellbeing

Financial Wellbeing

Drop in every Thursday 9.30 - 11.30am

Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club

Where you can access:

• Debt advice

• Budgeting support

• Welfare advice

• Benefits checks

• Housing advice

• Household grants

Emotional Wellbeing

Emotional Wellbeing Support is also available in your community from three key community organisations. Working together the organisations are working across East Durham to provide:

• One-to-one counselling

• Community drop-ins

• Online group sessions

• Walk and talk sessions

• Creative arts

• Lifeskills

Let’s Connect are offering a range of opportunities to people living in East Durham. These include community drop ins, mutual aid groups, group activities and emotional support through 1:1 and group counselling. You can find out more on Facebook@letsconnecteng or by calling 01429 269303

Are you concerned about your household budget? Do you need benefits or debt advice? Reach out for support…

These organisations offer free, impartial financial advice and can assess what help you might need. Speak to us by calling:

• Citizens Advice County Durham 0808 2787821

• Community Money Advice 0191 3037514

• East Durham Trust 0191 5693511 (supporting people living in East Durham)

You can do your own household budget below...

What’s Coming In? Monthly Weekly

Wages

Benefits

Pension

Tax Credits

Any other income

TOTAL INCOME

To convert a monthly amount to a weekly amount, multiply by 12 then divide by 52. Or visit us at one of our Hubs and we can go through this with you.

What’s Going Out? Monthly Weekly

Rent or Mortgage

Council Tax

Gas and Electric

Water

Mobile Phone

TV Licence

Other Bills

TOTAL BILLS

TOTAL INCOME

• Mindfulness

East Durham Veterans have expanded their service to work with people of all kinds living in East Durham. They are offering a range of support including counselling, some community activity including a walking group and community based support. You can find out more on Facebook @eastdurhamveterans or by calling 0191 5815677

CALM East Durham CIC are a holistic community organisations using creative arts and yogic practice to promote mindfulness and improve life skills. Sessions are being offered in the community You can find out more on Facebook - @calm.cic.3

For more information on all of this activity call East Durham Trust on 0191 5693511 or pop into Horden Together at the Social Welfare.

MINUS TOTAL BILLS

Without a household budget, it is impossible to know whether or not you have enough money to pay all the bills and to live on. In the table below list all of your income, and then list all of your bills. Then minus your bills from your income to see what you have left. If you find you have more money going out than coming in then call one of the organisations listed above to see how we can help.

You can find more information about advice services in County Durham through Advice in County Durham at this website… www.adviceincountydurham.org.uk

You can find out about the governments ‘Help for Households’ cost of living support here…

www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk

Other support available...

• Durham County Council 03000 265 000

• Welfare Rights 03000 268 968

• Stop Loan Sharks 0300 555 222

• NE Credit Union 0330 055 3666

• AgeUK County Durham 0191 386 3856

• Durham County Carers Support 0300 005 1213

this without you!

We are using an online platform called Placechangers - ‘Heart and Hopes of Horden’ which is one way that you can add your thoughts and feelings – places that make you feel good, and places that need hope

Welcome to the third issue of Horden Together News. This edition is being introduced Paula, Regional Development Manager for Coalfields Regeneration Trust based in the CRT Horden Hub House on Seventh Street.

Horden Hub House is a unique community facility offering lots of support to the local community alongside our excellent partners.

We are here to add value to the work of other organisations working in Horden, supporting their work and the genuine impact they are making in the area.

Healthy Happy Places is a partnership who care about what makes great places for people to live, work and play. It is a conversation between lots of people and organisations, but the most important part of the team is you! Your thoughts, your ideas, your feelings, your village.

A website has been set up for you, to share your experiences of your village, both good and bad - the places where you go, the routes you take, places that give you joy, places of kindness, places of safety, and places that need hope and care. If you can, check it out and share your experiences using the link or the QR code below.

Having lived in Horden and worked in the area for over 20 years, I have a strong connection with the community and love everything about it! For me, Horden Together is the perfect way to bring everyone together and capture what is so special about Horden and its residents.

The Hub House will be open throughout 2023, working together to help where we can! Please feel free to pop by and say hello…

Over the coming weeks and months you may see other opportunities to get involved to share your thoughts, ideas and feelings about your village. This may be through arts and creative activities, or activities that use paper maps in various locations.

You can use the QR code or this link: bit.ly/horden-heart-and-hopes

Got Something to Share?

If you’d like to know more or would like to get more involved please get in touch.

Email: healthyhappyplaces@ahsn-nenc.org.uk

Something to share? Would you like to get involved or have something for the Horden Together Newspaper? The next one will be out in February. Send us an email to hordennewspaper@gmail.com

Funded by...

too. But we’d really like to get some volunteers to join the team as Community Ambassadors too so that you can help to share the message and be part of the team. Come join us! If you are interested please let us know using this email address: healthyhappyplaces@ahsn-nenc.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE: All information has been given in good faith, please check with service providers for up-to-date details of events and offers. All images in this newspaper have been given by organisation partners in Horden Together with consent in the transfer of these images to us. Each organisation is the data controller of these images. Consent has been given in ‘all purpose and perpetuity’ to the photograph provider and sits with the original photographer or organisation consenting to share these images with Horden Together.

Burglary

36

Number

Fitness Classes

30

28

Horden has seen reductions in all crime in 2022 compared to 2021, coupled with some excellent detections rates which has seen Durham Constabulary being 1st out of the 43 forces in relation to resolving Residential Burglaries, Robbery, Theft offences and Theft from Motor vehicles.

Crime recorded is down 5% in Horden North and 7% in Horden South compared to 2021

45% of Residential Burglaries reported in Horden North and 20% in Horden South in 2022 were resolved

Crime Comparisons 2021 - 2022

2022 saw reductions in Residential Burglary by 28% in Horden North and 25% in Horden South

Firearm on Fifth St

at Horden Centennial Centre starting Thursday 2nd February

Monk3y Busin3ss - 6:05pm | Duration 30mins | Price £3

This class is a fast paced, typically a circuit type class (but not always). The idea of Monk3y Busin3ss is the element of surprise, you never know what’s in store. However, it’s guaranteed to get your heart racing, testing your cardiovascular fitness and strength endurance.

Pilates - 6:45pm | Duration 40mins | Price £5

This slow moving, controlled class focuses in on muscle strength and endurance, as well as flexibility and improves posture and balance. Mats can be provided if you do not have one.

Horden Build Guild!

Fan of making and creating models? Then your airfix, Lego, paint by numbers , card model trains… or something you would to build and join the group. Enjoy your hobby while meeting new people.

Wednesdays - 6pm - 8pm at Horden Centennial Centre. £2* Call 07734082410 for more info.

*children to be accompanied by an adult

Criminal Damage and Arson offences are down 21% in Horden North and 23% in Horden South

The firearms incident that took place on the 8th January in Fifth Street, although shocking, and very worrying for residents, is an isolated incident and something that is thankfully not the norm for our area. As a result of a large-scale investigation several people have been arrested, charged, and remanded including three males charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent. A further male has been charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent. The neighbourhood team would like to place on record their thanks to residents in both assisting with their enquiries and being patient in awaiting for information regarding the incident.

We are dedicated to continuing to improve and are hoping that we can use this incident as a springboard for the rest of 2023 and continue to listen to, and work closely with, the community to tackle the issues that really matter to them.

Historic Horden

We have been sent these images from Victoria Tori-Harper of the History of East Durham, Facebook Group. We loved seeing these images of old Horden and would love to see more of your photos. Send them over to hordennewspaper@gmail.com

We reached out to Victoria to ask about these fantastic photos - “They are my mam’s collection, Avril Harper. - she was a very keen collector of postcards and photos of the local area and when she passed away in 2021 left me these amazing cards and I just had to share them online”.

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

ANDYSMANCLUB

www.andysmanclub.co.uk

Going through a storm or just been through one? ANDYSMANCLUB are talking groups for me to help you get through those storms. They seek to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. For men aged over 18.

THE ARK

Sunderland Rd, Horden, SR8 4PF

www.facebook.com/thearkhorden/

07891 401 638

The Community Centre offers toddler groups and coffee mornings and more - call or look online for more information.

COUNTY DURHAM DRUG & ALCOHOL RECOVERY SERVICE

www.codurhamdrugalcoholrecovery.co.uk

03000 266 666

Get in touch if you or someone you know needs help to be free from a dependence on drugs or alcohol. The team work to support an individuals’ needs in working towards positive outcomes whilst solving problems around substance misuse.

ROSEBY ROAD

Roseby Rd, Horden, SR8 4RJ 0191 5181160

enquiries@jcct.org.uk

On top of all our regular services and activities, we also offer room hire at very competitive rates!

We have a large room with a kitchen as well as a facility that is ideal for meetings, training courses and parties. We also have a clinical room/office space which is ideal for one-to-one meetings and outreach services. Contact us if you would like to hire one of our rooms.

EAST DURHAM PARTNERSHIP

Sea View Industrial Estate, Horden, SR8 4TQ 0191 586 8493

East Durham Partnership - is a not-for-profit organisation based in Horden, County Durham. Initially established in 1989 as a local community project run by volunteers in an attempt to offer a range of training and support activities for disadvantaged residents of East Durham affected by the closure of the coal mines. Open MondayFriday 8.30am - 4.30pm

HORDEN HUB HOUSE

54 Seventh St, Horden, SR8 4LX 0191 447 3340

Horden Hub House based at the end of Seventh Street is known locally as the place to go for help. Working with key partners the Hub House is a welcoming space to offer advice and signposting to the community.

WELLBEING FOR LIFE

www.wellbeingforlife.net

0800 8766887

Do you want to make a change, but don’t know where to start or who to ask? Wellbeing for Life Facilitators can help! They will talk it over with you and together you can plan a way forward!

DURHAM MENTAL WELLBEING ALLIANCE

www.durhammentalwellbeingalliance.org

0300 304 5527

Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance offer a range of support services including prevention, early identification and recovery support for people who are experiencing mental health issues. Get in touch if you or someone you know needs help.

THE SALVATION ARMY

Dene St, Horden, SR8 4JY www.salvationarmy.org.uk/horden 0191 586 3208

The Salvation Army in Horden is a church and community centre - their aim is to help the community in the Peterlee area in any possible way.

EAST DURHAM TRUST

Community House, Yoden Road, SR8 5DP

www.eastdurhamtrust.org.uk

0191 5693511

East Durham Trust run a wide range of projects to help you through tough times. Services include food parcels, telephone befriending for the socially isolated, helping people in debt, supporting people to get the benefits they deserve, providing holiday activities with food, getting people engaged with the arts and more.

HORDEN YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE

Eden St, Horden, SR8 4LH

www.hycc.org

0191 586 3088

Horden Youth and Community Centre welcomes all members of the community without discrimination: from 2 to 92 years of age, they offer everyone a place to learn, relax and socialise.

HORDEN CENTENNIAL CENTRE

Seventh St, Horden, SR8 4LX

www.facebook.com/hordencentennialcentre/ 0191 587 3123

Horden Centennial Centre is a registered charity made up of local people, groups and organisations. They are working together under one roof to regenerate Horden and surrounding communities for the benefit of residents. They cater for conferences, parties, functions, meetings, performances, activities, classes and training.

HORDEN SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE

Seventh St, Horden, SR8 4LX 0191 518 0823

Horden Social Welfare host lots of community activities, youth events and support groups for Horden Residents. A great place to find the right support for you and a warm space this winter.

DAY TO DAY

At-a-glance weekly activities

Food

WHERE? WHEN? WHAT? HOW MUCH?

Please check with venue before attending in case of any changes.

WHERE? WHEN? WHAT? HOW MUCH?

The Ark 9.1511am Playgroup – term time only

7 - 8pm Connect Group

Hub House 9.30am onwards Homestay support appointments (to be booked) Northern Rights drop in.

Salvation Army 10am12 noon Creative Arts/Gardening Club

7.45pm AA

Hub House 1 - 3pm Believe Housing Job Club - support to find local vacancies, help with managing Universal Credit accounts, support completing application forms and interview advice. Closed group.

1 - 3pm IT Drop in 2pm Walk Durham Walking Group - Join us for a walk and talk session ran by fantastic, trained volunteers from Walk Durham. Cuppa on completion.

Contact Dean Whelan - 07796329517 Hub

Councillor Drop in First Wed of the month

Social Welfare Centre 1 - 3pm CISWO Ladies - contact Parish Council to attend.

6 - 8pm Guides

6 - 7.30pm Horden Residents Association –second Thursday of the month

Roseby Road Wellbeing Centre

1.30 –3.30pm Home Group - Preventing isolation. Promoting good health and Mental wellbeing

Salvation Army 10am12noon Breakfast – Bacon Sandwich and Cuppa £1

3pm Stay and Play 12noon7.30pm Together Warm and Toastie –Meal Provision

Allotments 11.30am4pm Weekly Allotments Group - Contact Dean Whelan - 07796329517

The Ark 10am12noon Coffee Morning – open to all Donation

Hub House 10am12noon Homestay Drop in - residents can gain support on a variety of issues including housing, mental health support, debt, benefits and signposting

Salvation Army 3.155.50pm Messy Church – every 2nd Friday of the month – small meal provided

The Ark 3.30 - 7pm Advice and Warm Hub – hot food and agencies on hand to provide info and advice

Horden Youth & Community Centre

12noon1.30pm HUB GRUB - Lunch time meal provision plus tea/coffee & biscuits £2.50 11am1pm NEfirst Credit Union drop in Roseby Road Wellbeing Centre 1.30 - 3pm BINGO

Horden Community Football Club

3 - 5pm During home fixtures. Free hot meal on match days via referral system or can be redeemed at the Village Cafe throughout the week. Warm space available on match-days only.

Centennial Centre 11am12.30pm Coffee Morning – Funded by volunteers mainly for congregation

2 - 4pm During home fixtures. Free hot meal on match days via referral or redeemed at any time. Warm space. WEDNESDAY

Creative Youth

Christmas in the Park!

FESTIVE ROUND-UP

The event at Christmas in the park that the young people secured funding for was great and they had a full turn out on the day. Everyone met really early to set up for the event and we hope everyone had a good time. Blake age 7 couldn’t wait to tell Horden Newspaper how the event went in the park. “There was loads of decorations which was covered in lots of lights and the band stand looked better because all the decorations that we made were on it. We had giant nutcracker soldiers and all of the groups made things to sell at stalls”. The group made over £100 to pay for their Christmas party - ‘The Elfie Disco’ -

Pant-o no it isn’t! Oh yes it is!

Panto Trip happened as planned, for the group to go and see Jack and the Beanstalk in Sunderland between Christmas and new year. The local councillors and the chair of the parish funded the trip to say thank you to the young volunteers as we haven’t been able to take them to the theatre Sind 2017.

Light up the night!

The groups all met to switch the Christmas tree light on in Horden and paraded with hand made lanterns that were made in our group sessions and made sure lots of people had them. All the parents came along and we gathered to have hot drinks before setting off in the snow. It was very slippy so we had to make sure we didn’t pick any hills for the parade. Or we would of been sliding everywhere - if its icy next year we will be doing it in skis.

Join the Band!

Horden Salvation Army Community Band are seeking players to join the ranks - particularly cornets and basses but all are welcome. We are a friendly, non contesting band with a forward thinking approach and a good mix of secular and non secular music. Practices are currently held every Tuesday 19:15 - 20:45 at Horden Salvation Army Hall. All abilities and age welcome, no auditions needed. For further information please contact Matthew Roberts or Geoff Starling via Horden Salvation Army 0191 586 3208

COMING UP

Half Term Activities - 22nd Feb - Afternoon Tea - 2.30pm - 4pm. The group are sending out invites to the community and those who are using warm hubs to come along and enjoy an afternoon tea with some entertainment and bingo.

There are lots of projects that the group are involved in including Carl Joyce Photographer who has funding to work with the group. Save the date (25th March) more information will be coming soon.

Join us in the Arts Café on 26th January for our first (of 5!) workshops with the lovely Sarah Stamp. These workshops will run every Thursday, 4 - 6.30pm and will explore and create artefacts through storytelling and crafting. Artworks made in these workshops will be exhibited in an exhibition on 23rd February.

Workshops and meal are free. The workshop is aimed at adults and older teens however kids are welcome and we will have the art cart to keep them entertained.

Email ellen.ranson@eastdurhamcreates.co.uk or call 0191 569 3511 to sign up, spaces are limited.

Loan Sharks

If you have borrowed money from a loan shark you haven’t broken the law they have. If you are worried about this talk to your debt adviser or call the confidential number below.

Remember loan sharks often:

• Offer you a cash loan but do not give you any paperwork

• Take your benefit or bank card as security on the loan

• Don’t tell you when you will finish paying

• Increase the amount you owe even if you are making regular payments

• Threaten or use violence to get money from you.

Talk to us in complete confidence.

Call us on: 0300 555 2222

Text: 07860022116 with your message

Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Report a loan shark online at: stoploansharks.co.uk

Please Yourself

Drop into the Peterlee Pavilion on a Sunday afternoon and simply please yourself! Sessions run on a fortnightly basis.

This is a great opportunity to fetch in any unfinished needlework or arts and crafts that you may have started at home and not yet completed. Joining other like minded people at the Pavilion will give you the motivation and joy to get them finished.

Why not start a new project/activity such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, diamond art painting and much more.

Sessions are funded by the East Durham AAP bringing people from all backgrounds together from the seasoned crafter to the absolute beginner - all in a relaxed, friendly and fun environment with refreshments provided.

Don’t enjoy making crafts? No problem, just come along and join us for chats and laughs. We have many games for you to enjoy such as dominoes’, cards or scrabble.

For more information please contact the Pavilion on 0191 5869957 or email elaine.hancock@peterlee.gov.uk

Landlord Fined After Failing to Carry Out Necessary Works

A company has been ordered to pay more than £1,800. Durham County Council had reason to inspect a house in Horden in August last year following reports made to them by residents about the state and condition of the rear yard of a Home in Horden.

Waste materials had accumulated, there was a blocked drain and a toilet waste pipe was broken resulting in a risk to health. Given the health and vermin risks presented by the state of the yard, it was important for the council to have this information and get the property to a safe state for living in. At a recent court date, fined £1,100 and ordered to a £440 victim surcharge,

Family Loans

NEFirst Credit Union is an accessible, inclusive modern organisation that offers an alternative to the high street banks for saving and an ethical and fair and affordable option for borrowing. It has never been more important to encourage people who need credit to check out what the credit union can offer. Our loans are an alternative to high cost lending from payday loans, overdrafts and credit cards or worse, unauthorised lenders in particular, loan sharks.  Borrowing from the credit union keeps the interest in the community to support the community in financial wellbeing. Cheaper credit gives people more in their pocket to spend locally, which can assist in improving the local economy too.

It has never been more important to encourage union can offer. We support members to develop affordable and flexible loans when they might

Our aim is to put members in control of their helping them access money responsibly.

• We offer a safe and secure place to deposit and building societies.

• We are a responsible, supportive and fair lender lenders, loan sharks and internet lending streams,

• We can offer affordable loans starting from

• We believe that developing a savings habit

an essential part of improving financial resilience and the wellbeing of community residents.

• We help some people who may otherwise be financially excluded.

• REACH OUT TO US...

Durham County Council’s manager, said: “All landlords follow the necessary guidance appropriate work is carried out to their properties to help protect the health and safety of tenants and communities.

majority of landlords work with us to ensure this remains the case, we hope serves as a warning to the minority who fail to comply with instructions. not be tolerated and we action where necessary.”

with your property or having landlord fixing your property a member of the Horden today - just pop by Horden member of the team.

To report an issue call Horden Together on 03000 263387

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health - If you feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, it’s important to get supportsupport is still available even if services seem busy at the moment. You can find out where to get urgent help for mental health on the NHS website.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust also have a crisis line available 24 hours a day every day for people experiencing a mental health crisis. To contact the team telephone 08000 516 171, or you can find further information on What to do in a mental health crisis.

ADVICE AND SELF HELP

NHS www.nhs.uk

Stressed, anxious or depressed? Or just want to feel happier your NHS is here to help

NHS Every Mind Matters

www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

Find expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing

The Recovery College Online www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk

Providing a range of online courses and resources

HELPLINES AND WEBCHATS

Shout www.giveusashout.org

Anxious? Worried? Stressed? Get 24/7 help from our team of Crisis Volunteers.

Text 85258

Samaritans 116123 | www.samaritans.org

The Samaritans are there to listen. 24 hours a day 365 days a year

SANE 07984 967 708 | www.sane.org.uk

Sane and the SANEline offers one-to-one support for those times you feel you need it most

CONNECTING TO LOCAL SERVICES

Wellbeing for life

www.wellbeingforlife.net | 0800 8766887

Helping you find what’s around you and how to make the most of it. Call free for expert advice

Man Health | info@manhealth.org.uk

www.manhealth.org.uk

Providing free peer support groups, offer WebChat and Connect service via the website

Durham Locate www.durhamlocate.org.uk

Durham County Council | www.durham.gov.uk

Helping you find support locally

ACCESSING SPECIALIST SERVICES

NHS 111

www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health

Answer questions about your mental health and find you support locally

Crisis Resolution and Intensive Home Treatment Team

03000 200317 | www.tewv.nhs.uk

Providing specialist treatments and assessment’s with a range of professionals 24/7

Mind www.mind.org.uk

Resources from Mind can help find what’s right for you and your family

Rethink Mental Illness | www.rethink.org

Offer online support and some local groups

CRUSE 01642 210 284

Advice, information and support to anyone who has been bereaved

Calm: Campaign against living miserably 0800 585858 | www.thecalmzone.net

Access the helpline to talk and find support. 5pm-Midnight 365 days a year

TEWV Crisis line 08000 516 171 www.tewv.nhs.uk

24 hour service for young people experiencing a mental health crisis

Qwell www.qwell.io

Offers free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK

Talking Changes | 0191 3333300

www.talkingchanges.org.uk

A self-help, counselling and talking therapies service designed to help anyone with common mental health problems

Time to Change Hub

www.time-to-change.org.uk

A local social movement aiming to change the way people think and act about mental health

WELLBEING FOR LIFE

Wellbeing for Life hosts a range of virtual and in person classes and courses to improve your quality of life. From eating & exercising to stress management and menopause courses.

www.wellbeingforlife.net/whats-on/

SOCIAL

PRESCRIBING LINK WORKERS

Workers connect people with local community activities and services that can help improve their health and wellbeing.

Easington Central – Primary Care Network are covering the following surgeries:

William Brown Centre – Blackhall & Peterlee

Practice – Horden Group Practice

We support patients who may be experiencing some difficulties and/or may require any nonclinical support, we work in a person-centred way, linking patients up to the appropriate support, which can include:

Housing | Benefits & Finances

Employment & Volunteering

Training and Education Reducing Social Isolation & Promoting Independence

Mental Health & Wellbeing Weight

Management | Long Term Conditions

Substance/Alcohol Misuse

Smoking Cessation

Bereavement Support or any other non-clinical issues. Patients can be referred from their GP practice, or professionals can contact us.

Facebook – search Easington Central PCN

Social Prescribing Link Workers

211

Missed Medical Appointments

We all know that the NHS is under incredible pressure at the moment and its sad for us all to hear that Horden Group Practice had 211 missed medical appointments in December.

If you or someone you care for cant make it to any medical or appointment - then please let the service or staff know, as someone else may be able to use your appointment if they need it.

Help is always available via the 111 telephone service and in an emergency call 999.

Voter ID

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections.

This new requirement will apply for the first time at the local elections taking place in some areas of England on Thursday 4 May 2023.

The requirement will apply to UK Parliament general elections from October 2023, and to UK Parliament by-elections and recall petitions from May 2023. If you need help with ID or registering to Vote then pop into Horden Welfare and ask for help. We know many people don’t have access to ID and want to make sure your vote is counted electoralcommission.org.uk

Warm Spaces Have Taken Off Around Horden

Horden Newspaper caught up with Gemma one of parish officers, supporting the new warm spaces group at Horden Welfare Centre on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. We asked everyone how they found out about the warm spaces and two residents proudly pulled out the timetable from the Horden Newspaper. I sat down in the chatty room at Horden Welfare to fight off many kind offers from volunteers for a bacon sandwich, but settled for a cuppa.

Gemma, please tell us what warm spaces is about? “Warm spaces is a friendly, no questions asked welcoming space made for anybody that may need to find somewhere warm outside of the house. People here have made some new connections. Another person from the group then told me “ its about seeing a friendly face”. Gemma continued, “As a resident myself, it has made me realise about issues we all face like the social isolation. Some people who have moved here may have not had the best welcome or may not know people. Warm Spaces has provided a space for us to bring new community members together and give them the space to show them a warm Horden welcome. We saw these spring up around the country and thought that Horden could really benefit from this initiative”.

A Horden resident told me, “We found out about the space through this paper which I collected from the Hub House - I was looking for something like this in the area. I was going insane at home alone. I moved here 5 months ago, I moved here because of the price of rent - its the cheapest place to live in England. I do live by myself not knowing anyone up here - The warm space has been very quiet at first but has grown with who is coming along”.

I’ve learned about other things happening in the village from coming along to the warm space sessions and even visited the salvation army session on Friday.

Volunteering in Horden

Volunteers are absolutely vital to the services supporting communities locally in all of the work that they do. Volunteers come from a whole variety of backgrounds but all share the goal of giving time and skills to the communities they live and love. Volunteers are provided with full training, support and expenses. There are plenty of roles to suit you and the time that you may have to spare, like: Food Crisis Volunteers, drivers, befriending telephone volunteers, pathfinders, debt advisors, budgeting coaches and event support volunteers.

For an chat about volunteering or to find out more call Colin 0191 569 3511

Horden - Some of the Best Walks in the UK!

Recently The Sunday Times published an article featuring Seaham Hall and advertising the area as a great place to stay and take in some of the amazing walks right here on the doorstep in Horden. Starting with Horden beach they suggest taking the eight mile walk up the beach passed Easington Colliery and maybe catching the train back.

Salvation Army Toy Appeal Update:

Over 420 children were helped with a gift bag

30 adults with gifts

18 meals on Christmas Day to people that would normally be on their own 180 food parcels were given out in December  Angela from the Salvation Army said - we couldn’t do it without the generosity of the general public and help of volunteers. Thank you so much for making a difference to someone’s Christmas Day.

Horden Football Club

Huddles, Scrums & Heroes

Historically named ‘Horden Rugby club’ has recently become ‘Horden & Peterlee rugby club’ with the two parishes joining together on the field. There’s 100 years of history of the club but with the way the women’s team has come along and the way women sport is going we see ourselves as a key part of the future of Rugby.

That women’s team ‘the Horden Valkyries’ is a historic nod to the Nordic gods and icons of the past.

Like the group’s namesake, these heroic valkyries have been running and winning the field for 4 years now. Initially, they had a wide base of younger people and then opened it up to the parents of the kids session, with most never having touched a ball before. Last year they won the first league that they entered and (so far) this year are top of the league.

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Now a well-established senior women’s team, the captain Ali said ‘the team have been really punching above their weight, it’s a special team because it’s a strong combination of people playing rugby from kids with people from 17 to 56. This is a great team of women all supporting each other on and off the field’.

Anybody can get in touch via Facebook by contacting Horden and Peterlee ladies rugby.

Why not come along and have a try! Rugby for girls and boys aged 3+ 6pm Wednesdays, women’s training starts at 7pm and men’s rugby is on a Tuesday and Thursday - there is a warm welcome for everyone and they really are an inclusive club for everyone.

Horden Football club Lost in the previous game unfortunately but still riding high whilst maintaining position of 3rd in the league, Chris Cain chairman spoke to Horden Together Newspaper and said ‘there is a huge push for promotion with the first team this season, The Ladies team are doing very well in the Durham league in the first division”.

The youth academy is coming on well and still growing in numbers. Young people can still join the youth academy and just need to contact the club on Facebook.

Dementia Choir

Happy Together Dementia Friendly Choir are on tour to bring the joy of singing to the people of East Durham and also raise awareness of the Choirs existence.

Meet every Thursday 1-3pm at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Blackhall Colliery providing a safe welcoming and inclusive environment for people living with Dementia - or to anyone who wishes to join the lovely friendly group, to make friends and enjoy

Community Litter Pick

Residents, staff and the local Councillor June Clark who chairs the Horden Residents Association meeting got together to tackle the litter around Horden. We caught up with Keith from Horden Together to ask him how it went.

sharing in the pleasures of singing with others.

There’s chance for a cuppa and chat along with the homemade cakes. The group are looking forward to singing in the community and recruiting some new members. Aiming to bring the community together and to give people the opportunity to improve their Health, confidence and well being.

Although it was a cold morning we all managed to fill lots of bags with rubbish making the area as a whole a lot cleaner. We were really happy to see that there were also new residents that joined us that attended after reading about it in the Horden Together Newspaper.