Point North

27/08/2026

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Health Improvement Fund is now open!

We’re offering grants of up to £7,000 to local charities and voluntary groups for projects that help people improve their health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

We welcome applications for projects supporting people to:
- Be more physically active
- Improve their mental health and wellbeing
- Make healthier lifestyle choices
- Reduce or stop harmful behaviours such as smoking or excessive alcohol use

Apply by Sunday 20 September.

Find out more and apply by visiting our website: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/county-durham-darlington-nhs/

24/08/2026

We're introducing a new dedicated fund for Tees Valley-based charities and voluntary groups with an annual income of £500,000 or less.

The Tees Valley Sustainability Fund can be used for core costs, equipment, salaries, training, transport, capacity building and consultancy work to strengthen your governance.

Please note: Social enterprises, including Community Interest Companies are not eligible to apply for this fund.

To find out more and apply, please visit our website: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/tees-valley-sustainability-fund/

20/08/2026

Can the Turner Prize be the spark that ignites a brighter future for Middlesbrough? 🌟 By harnessing the power of arts and culture, can we unlock the full potential of our communities and create a vibrant, thriving city for all? Our latest article explores how the Turner Prize and Middlesbrough's City of Culture ambitions can bring people together, drive growth, and inspire a new era of possibility. 👇 Read the full article and share your thoughts: https://pointnorth.org.uk/turner-prize-city-of-culture-bid

19/08/2026

Applications to the Northern Cancer Alliance Community Cancer Awareness & Screening Fund close this Sunday 23 August.

The Northern Cancer Alliance Community Cancer Awareness & Screening Fund offers grants of up to £2,500 to local charities and community groups across Sunderland, parts of Teesside and Northumberland.

The fund supports community-led activity that raises awareness of cancer, encourages people to recognise symptoms and promotes earlier diagnosis.

Funding could help cover the costs of:

- Face-to-face and community-based activities, including events, workshops, information sessions and outreach
- Peer support groups: such as men’s sheds, women’s groups and other community groups: whether or not they are cancer-specific
- Integrating cancer awareness into wellbeing workshops, social activities and groups supporting vulnerable and underserved communities

If your organisation can help start conversations about cancer awareness and screening, this could be a great opportunity to get involved.

Find out more and apply: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/community-cancer-awareness-screening-fund/

17/08/2026

Can you help get more people in County Durham to take part in sports?

Community sports groups, charities, and voluntary groups can apply for up to £3,000 through the Aggression Sessions Small Grant Scheme.

Funding can support equipment, facility hire, coaching, events, outreach, and small capital projects.

📅 Submit your application by 5pm on Friday, 9 October.
👉 Read our full grant guidelines and apply by visiting our website: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/aggression-sessions-small-grant-scheme/

14/08/2026

What a lush day at Benfieldside Community Garden.

We love seeing the brilliant work of the local groups we support. And photos like these really do speak for themselves. 🌱☀️

It’s hard to believe this space was once seen by local residents as derelict. Now, it’s a bright, green space where children, neighbours and volunteers can come together and enjoy their community.

Building Self-Belief CIO and their amazing volunteers have helped bring this space back to life.

It’s a great example of what can happen when people come together, share an idea and get the support they need to make it happen.

Our grants help local groups turn ideas into action. They help create new opportunities and make local communities stronger. We’re proud to play our part.

Our mission at Point North is to create a better today and a brighter tomorrow for County Durham, Tees Valley and the wider North East. By supporting groups like Building Self-Belief CIO, alongside more than 600 other local organisations, we hope we can help make that happen.

Could your organisation use funding to make a difference in your community?

Head to our grants page to see what funding is available now. There are grants to help get County Durham residents moving, strengthen groups in Tees Valley, help young people reach their potential and support local environmental projects. 🌱

Take a look and see how we could help turn your idea into action.

13/08/2026

To everyone getting their A-level, T-Level or BTEC results today: well done.

You may have got the results you wanted. You may not have. You may know what you want to do next. Or you may have no idea yet.

That is OK.

There is no one right way to build a happy life.

You might go to university. You might start an apprenticeship. You might get a job. You might take some time out. You might try something new.

Whatever you do next, you do not have to work it all out today.

And if you are a parent, carer or guardian, your young person may need one thing today more than anything else: to know that you are proud of them.

There is support out there if you need it.

💡 Got a side hustle? You could get up to £2,000 to help grow it through our SWEF Business Grant.

🏠 Leaving care or already left care? The Care Leavers Fund can help with things like housing, learning and work.

🎨 Love art or being creative? The Christine Carter Arts Fund offers grants of up to £250 to help you grow your talent.

🏅 Good at sport or something else? Youth Opportunities Fund can help you follow your talent.

📍 Live in East Durham? The Acumen Legacy Fund can help you find your next step.

These grants are made possible by people, families and businesses who believe in young people.

They want you to have the chance to do well and be happy.

So, whatever your results say today:

Keep going. Keep trying. Keep dreaming.

You have so much ahead of you.

13/08/2026

Happy 40th birthday Jack Drum Arts!

And a huge thank you for inviting us to your afternoon tea party.

It's incredible to see and hear how much you've achieved over four decades, and the difference you've made to so many lives.

From celebrating creativity and community to keeping local heritage alive and passing it on to the next generation, you're showing just how powerful the arts are.

11/08/2026

We’ve been keeping this news under wraps, but we can finally share it! 🎉

Dame Susan Snowdon DCVO, CStJ, JP, DL has been appointed President of Point North.

Many of you will know Dame Susan from her years of service to communities across County Durham and the wider North East.

As Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, she was a strong voice for local people, charities, community groups and businesses. We know she has made a real difference to many people and organisations across our region.

She now joins Point North as we build on the legacy of our founder, Sir Paul Nicholson.

We’re proud to welcome Dame Susan and look forward to working with her to help even more local people and communities.

👉 Read the full story by following the link in the comments

County Durham Lieutenancy Bishop Auckland Town Council

11/08/2026

Can the Turner Prize help regenerate Middlesbrough? We explore how cultural investment could create lasting opportunities for people, places and businesses.

The Turner Prize is coming to Middlesbrough. The prestigious prize, whose winners include artists Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, is the definitive authority on