Residents in County Durham can now find support more easily through a new online directory.
Connecting County Durham, launched by Durham County Council, brings local organisations, activities and support services together in one accessible place for residents and professionals.
The directory will include details, and access, to care and support organisations, activities and social groups, mental and physical wellbeing services, childcare and family support, and special educational needs and disabilities services.
Residents will be able to explore these services using simple keyword searches, filters, or by looking up their postcode, and the site will offer easy links to further information and support on key topics such as mental health, care services, the SEND Local Offer and more.
The site, which has been designed in partnership with local people, is a replacement for the council’s Families Information Service and Locate websites, bringing information from them together into one place. It hopes to provide accessible information, and support prevention and early help services across communities.
Working with a range of partners and professionals, the council hopes the site will also become a useful tool for those organisations offering or facilitating support for residents. The website allows users to save listings they feel are useful and share these with service users, friends and family through an email, link code, or by printing them out.
Cllr Cathy Hunt, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of this new site. It is an easy-to-use service which will help families to access childcare, holiday activities, and groups or services for young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities.”
Cllr Howard Brown, Cabinet member for adult and health services, said:
“Whether you’re an adult in need of support, or you’re caring for a neighbour or relative and want to find out which services are available locally, Connecting County Durham is going to be a valuable tool.Â
“I am proud that we’re able to provide this site for residents that will give useful, and easy-to-access information to those who need it and help people with their health and wellbeing needs across the county.”
It is free for organisations to register to the directory and promote their services. For more information and to register for the directory visit www.connectingcountydurham.co.uk.  Â
