Find out what is happening across the Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance, with news, events, and opportunities to get involved in shaping mental health services across the County.
If U Care Share’s Mothers Day March is on Sunday 15th March, to find out more please click the link below:
News from outside the Alliance:
The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for planning and paying for NHS services in your region. As demands on the NHS grow and change, they must make tough choices now to ensure they can meet people’s needs in the future – sustainably and safely. They are facing some tough financial challenges across the health and care system in our region. Without action, the shortage of money they have for services will grow by 3% every year.
As part of the considerations for the future, they would like to understand your perspectives and how any proposed changes might affect you and the people you support. They would like to hear your views as someone who may work in or be connected to some of the local community mental health or well-being services, for the purpose of this survey the ICB would like to hear your views on the Lived Experience Team.
From If U Care Share:
We are delighted to let you all know that Summit That Matters To Us returns in 2026.
We’re once again inviting people to come together for a summit that brings lived experience, honesty, and community to the forefront
Changing The Tune is a call to rethink how we listen, how we discuss, and how we respond to suicide as a society.
Whether you’re a business, a fundraiser, a supporter, or someone personally affected – this summit is for you.
Expect: – Real conversations and discussions – Insights from those with lived experience – Space to connect, reflect, and take tangible action.
We’d love for your service to attend to host a stall within our market space, where we are hoping to showcase a variety of amazing services and organisations who are doing great work within our sector,
Stalls come at a cost of £50 which includes access to the summit for 1 staff member including lunch and a designated area within our market space with access to up to 150 attendees.
Purchase a second stall holder ticket for a discounted rate of £25
General tickets are also now available and can be secured now for just £45!
Vacancy: Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance – Independent Chair (Voluntary)
*** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 28TH FEBRUARY ***
We are seeking a new Independent Chair to lead our Alliance as we enter the next phase of development. The Chair will provide strategic leadership, ensure effective governance, and act as an ambassador for the Alliance.
Please click below for a full role description and details of how to apply.
Time to Talk Day 2026
To commemorate Time to Talk Day 2026 on Friday 6th February, we have been working with Stamp it Out Ambassadors and members of the County Wide Forum to co-create a resource about having mental health conversations.
You can download this booklet in printable format, to help make talking about mental health less scary!
St Margaret’s Centre is hiring! Find out more via the link below:
February Timetable
Check out the new timetable of activities at St Margaret’s Centre
Stamp It Out reflect on their Celebration Event – they leave an important and lasting legacy, and we will be sure to continue challenging mental health stigma across all services in the Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance.
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. If you or someone you know needs support, help is out there. Click the link below for some excellent resources.
Join If U Care Share at their Charity Ball to help the raise vital funds to continue providing our crucial prevention and bereavement support services across the North East.
Vacancy at Aspire
Aspire are looking for a Women’s Support Worker.
Aspire’s Thriving ‘Yarden’!
Aspire’s small but very mighty Gardening Group have worked very hard to reclaim some unused space at the front of their building and over several years have turned it into a very special restful and pretty “Yarden”. For the second year running the hard working Gardeners have been preparing to enter into “Chester Le Street in Bloom”, an opportunity facilitated by Chester Le Street Business Association. The Gardeners have been planning, planting, painting sprucing up and getting their little but very well loved space competition-ready all year! The yarden is now producing corn on the cob, tomatoes, cucumber, potatoes, onions, strawberries, herbs, and an amazing display of flowers.
The group was delighted to take the prize for “Fabulous Frontage” and the Gardeners are going to Lumley Castle on Tuesday 15th July to be presented with their prize!
From miner’s son to mental health advocate
A County Durham man who battled addiction for years has turned his life around to help others – and credits volunteering for playing a key role in his recovery.
Digital Skills Training
Digital Durham, DurhamLearn and The Bread and Butter Thing are working in partnership to help up to 600 County Durham residents to get online as part of a new Government funded project.