Durham Community Action Limited

Overview

Durham Community Action Limited is a UK nonprofit organisation that serves as a leading infrastructure body for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in County Durham. It provides a range of support services, including advice, training, resources, and help to tackle challenges faced by community organisations. The organisation aims to strengthen social and community infrastructure, fostering an environment where local communities can thrive.

Activities

Durham Community Action focuses on several key areas:

• Advice and Support: The organisation offers guidance and assistance to frontline groups within the VCS. This support helps community organisations operate effectively and realize their aspirations.
• Community Outreach: Durham Community Action engages in outreach work with community groups, identifying their needs and providing necessary resources.
• Volunteering Development: The organisation champions volunteering across County Durham by developing opportunities and promoting good practices in volunteer-involving organisations. It helps individuals find suitable volunteering roles and supports new volunteers in the community.

Organizational Structure

Durham Community Action is registered as a charity (number 229119) and a company limited by guarantee (number 309329). It is managed by a board of eleven volunteer trustees, ensuring that the organisation remains stable and financially sound. The board operates with a rotation policy, where one-third of trustees retire annually and may choose to stand again for re-election.

Membership and Influence

The organisation is a member of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), which includes 37 other county-based organisations working across rural England. This membership enables Durham Community Action to influence public sector policy and contribute to the design and commissioning of local services, benefiting communities both locally and nationally.

History

Initially incorporated as Community Service for Durham County Limited in 1936, the organisation has undergone name changes, becoming Durham Rural Community Council Limited before adopting its current name. This evolution reflects its evolving role in supporting local communities over the years.

Impact and Influence

Through its activities, Durham Community Action enhances the capacity of community groups to address local challenges effectively. By fostering collaboration within the VCS and beyond, the organisation plays a vital role in shaping public policy and community development initiatives across County Durham and further afield.

[1] https://www.durhamcommunityaction.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/229119 [3] https://www.durhamcommunityaction.org.uk/who-we-are [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/229119/charity-overview [5] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00309329