Get Help

DCP manage a number of different projects across County Durham and Sunderland, all responding to different identified needs. Here you will find information about each of our projects.

Foodbank

Our County Durham and Sunderland Foodbanks are here to help anyone who is facing hunger due to hardship or crisis – for the parents skipping meals so their children can eat, the tenant forced to go hungry just so they can pay the rent and for families and the elderly making the stark choice between heating and eating.

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.

Community Money Advice County Durham

Many people experience problems with their finances at times, for many reasons, getting help is the most important thing. Our 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.

DCP Community Shop

Our DCP Community Shop is an established charity shop in Framwellgate Moor, selling clothing, books, toys and all manner of other household items. Profits from the shop are used to fund the work of County Durham foodbank.

Grandparents Support Group

We are a support group who aim to improve the lives of children by working with grandparents and families. Read more

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.  

Citizens Advice County Durham

CACD is available to help people with Debt and Energy problems across the country. They have a simple contact form accessed via their website for residents needing help with Debt and Energy queries or they can be contacted directly by telephone on 03003231000. The local number for the Citizens Advice Fuel Team is 01919338058 if you need to contact them specifically.

There are also volunteer lead general advice sessions, please refer to their website for up-to-date opening days, times and locations.

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 50 years old + 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 info@mind.org.uk.

Karbon Homes

Karbon Homes provide advice on eligibility and how to appeal decisions related to benefit entitlement plus support throughout the process including preparing and submitting documentation. They can be contacted by phone on 01912 238525 or email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk

Groundworks

Provide a specialist telephony healthcare referral pathway for patients attending primary care unit/pharmacy. Clients receive general advice and guidance including assistance with claim forms and referrals into community advice and support. They also provide free, impartial, and confidential advice via a multi-channel offer, including assistance with claim forms. They can be contacted by phone on 0330 4416515 or email adviceline@groundwork.org.uk

Groundworks North East will also be offering an appointment service at locations across the county. Full details of the dates, times and venues that appointments can be booked can be found on their website.